DIY Blanket Poncho

[TeeDee]

So I've had it in my mind to make a Hooded Wool Poncho for some time , not because I have any fantasy about being a LOTR wood elf ( More Cave Troll if you must know.... ) but because I like to just sit and chill around a little camp fire every now and then and a Hood can help keep the chill off the back of your neck and the rain running down your bum crack.. It maybe also a Nostalgic nod of the head to my Scouting days when we used to sew badges of achievement onto them.

So I have a few Italian Blankets. ( My !!! How these have gone up in price ?>!>!>!? )

Italian Army Wool Blanket

New Italian Army wool blanketItalian Army Wool Blanket - - Check out these new Italian Army wool blankets! They are made of 100 high-quality wool and come brand new.

swisslink.com

I need to learn how to blanket stitch , I also have a some Eyelets and Eyelet Pliers.

The blankets are Rectangular in design and the easiest choice would be ( i think ) to just halve one over and cut a hole in it and then attach a Hood.

But I quite fancy the idea of an angled Poncho so that the fabric hangs with the pointy end down in front of my crotch/knees ( not the same area....) and the other corners hang off of either shoulder.

I can't decide if this is wise or just creating an unnecessary amount of extra work? also as the Blankets have a light Tan stripe in either end I'd kinda like them to run diagonally down the edge to meet at the bottom point ( Are you following?... )


So have others done something similar to this ? As its best to " Measure Twice and Cut Once " part of that research process is to ask if people have input , experience , photos etc... of their own previous poncho projects.

 

[Mesquite]

If you want it to be diagonal the you need to have a square blanket which will mean you loose the stripes at one end or you take a panel out in the middle ans restitch to make a square.

As for the neck hole cut a T and you won't need to have as wide a hole for your head.

 

[Toddy]

Birrus Britannicus.

The woollen cloak of the Britons.
You do need to cut your blankets though to make it.

On t'other hand make sure that @Wayland sees this thread because he has sussed out how to make a hooded wrap type cloak from a blanket without needing to cut it at all. One pin secures it if necessary

 

[TeeDee]

If you want it to be diagonal the you need to have a square blanket which will mean you loose the stripes at one end or you take a panel out in the middle ans restitch to make a square.

As for the neck hole cut a T and you won't need to have as wide a hole for your head.

Yep ! I worked out I will need to cut and restitch. Now Mr Mesquite , what can you tell me about Blanket stitching????

 

[Toddy]

Cloak Wearers - Step Forward

My Birrus Britannicus.......it gets a fair bit of use :D cheers, Toddy

bushcraftuk.com

 

[Mesquite]

Yep ! I worked out I will need to cut and restitch. Now Mr Mesquite , what can you tell me about Blanket stitching????

It's a very simple stitch to do for stopping the edges of your material from fraying

Best advice I had from my mother is don't pull it really tight or it causes puckering along your edge

 

[Tengu]

A pointed one in the front would be my Lukha.

35 inch by 70 inch rectangle of wool cloth. You fold it to make a square and then sew down one side. (Good size for me who has wide shoulders)

So you have a big square joined at two sides? (can you visualise that?)

Then cut off at that corner. The hood is a bit more fiddly but you make one out of a rectangle of cloth and sew on as neatly as you can.

They take about two hours to make (Thought not to perfection) and you should get two out of a big blanket with enough over for a scarf.

Jämä green Luhka

Essentially a short cape- and in this case, made of waterproof fabric! A compact, traditional alternative for protection from rain and wind. Get yours now!

www.varusteleka.com

Look at the price! (Ok, its not a wool one)

I made a couple at the last Moot with some folk; who was you? I have no memory for names.