Flip Sequin Poncho!

When I first spotted the iridescent sequin fabric I wanted to cocoon myself in it. My fur-lined, fringe-edged sequin poncho was born! It has a cozy hood and it even has pockets.

I enjoy wearing mine so much, I want to share the pattern and steps so you can make your own too. Have fun picking out your favorite colors, sewing it all together, and then wrapping yourself up in it!

Flip sequins (42" wide): 2.25 yards

Faux fur (50" wide): 1.75 yards

Fringe (2-6" long): 3.5 yards

Lining fabric: 1/4 yard

Iron-on interfacing: 1/8 yard

2 pairs of magnetic purse closures

Thread

Sewing machine and needles for denim or jeans

Fabric clips

Hood and Front/Back pattern pieces, downloaded (Print them using the "tile" option and tape the pages together, then cut out around the complete pattern pieces)

First, we'll make the pockets, which are great for holding a phone and other essentials on all your adventures. They magnet closed at the top to keep everything in!

Sew the pockets

Cut out 2 pieces of suit lining, measuring 8 x 20"
Cut out 2 pieces of interfacing, measuring 8 x 3"

Iron the two pieces of interfacing onto the back of the lining, one at each end.

Fold and press the pocket as shown in the photos.

Fold the pocket in half the long way, with the right sides together, and pin along the edges. Sew down each side.

Hot glue the magnets onto both sides of the of the pocket as shown, so they close the pocket.

Trim the sides with pinking shears or scissors to prevent fraying

Installation

On the front fur panel (which has the v-neck cutout), sketch two slots 6.5" long where your pockets will go. Cut along each line.

Pull the upper edges of the pocket through the slot. Most of the pocket will be on the back side of the fur, with just the top edges on the front side.

Pin the top edge and sew across 1/8" away from the edge.

On the back side, flip the pocket pouch so it points upwards instead of downwards. Pin the bottom edge of the pocket. Sew 1/8" away from the edge, being careful not to catch the pocket in the stitches.

Flip the pocket pouch back down and sew two reinforcement lines near the corners of the pocket.

Original size hood: Using the clips, hold the two fur halves of the hood together and sew. Repeat for the two sequin halves.

For a wider hood: Sew a 5" strip of fur to one half of the hood along the top and back edges. Then sew the second half to the other side of the strip, so it runs between the two halves along the top and back of the hood. Repeat for the sequins.

With sequins facing fur, sew the outside and inside of the hood together

Flip the hood right side out and baste along the bottom edge

Construct the body of the poncho:

Starting with the fur front and back pieces, line up the shoulder seams. Sew the left and the right seams (see photo). Repeat for the sequins.

A demin/jeans sewing machine needle works great here since we're sewing through 4 layers.

First, clip the hood onto the sequin body panels. The front points of the hood should overlap slightly at the V-neck.

Next, pull the fur body panels, with fur side in, down over the assembled hood and sequins. Clip it in place using the same clips. This makes 4 layers: fur facing fur and sequins facing sequins. Baste 1/2" from edge using a long stitch through all layers to hold everything together, since the layers can slide around. Sew again, this time 5/8" from the edge using a standard-length stitch.

By sewing this seam all at once, we trap all the raw edges in between the layers of the body panels

Turn your poncho right-side out and admire your work!

The final step: sewing on the fringe!

The fringe can be attached using any method you like. I'll show the technique I use here, which results in all the raw edges being contained inside the poncho. It's a little arduous but totally worth it.

First flip the poncho inside out. This actually has to be done in a specific way to avoid twisting the inside and outside layers. I start at the bottom point in the back (steps 1-4 in the photos), beginning with the poncho right side out. Hold the sequin and fur layers together along one edge, then flip the layers towards each other so the right sides are facing.

Carefully arrange the first 30" of fringe in between the fur and sequins, with the free fringe edge facing in. The fringe will stick out again once everything is turned right side out! Clip and then sew the first 30" of fringe.

Repeat until you reach the front center point. Cut the fringe and start a new piece for the second long edge.

At the end of the second long edge, leave a gap about 8-10" long. Then turn your poncho right side out. Hand sew the gap closed.

Enjoy your flip sequin poncho!