Kicking It With A Bold Color-Block Poncho

Let's start off this fashion party with a fun color-block poncho look! Grab some fabric and piece together big, colorful, geometric shapes to create an elegant and super flowy look for the spring.  It's such a versatile addition to the wardrobe for layering with your most fave top or even a chic, femme fatale dress. So adorable, right?

OK, I have to admit that it was the ultra-talented, Barbara Warholic, that made this sweet poncho for me. She was inspired by this lovely caftan-esque beauty that spotted on the NY fashion runways. 

Barbara's version took the concept of stitched blocks of color and made it much more simple by dyeing just two long fabric strips, stitching them together and pairing it with a custom dyed a turtleneck in a vibrant yellow. Want to see how to make one too?

Here’s the tutorial … 

COLOR BLOCK PONCHO

The poncho fabric strips were dyed using Rit custom color recipes for Phlox #567 (Purple palette) and #121 (Cool Red palette) for the rich red.  The vibrant yellow turtleneck was dyed using custom recipe #61 (Yellow 2 palette). 

SUPPLIES:

• Rit Liquid Dye:  Lemon Yellow, Petal Pink, Purple, Violet, Cherry Red, Cocoa Brown
• 1⅛ Yards 100% White Rayon Challis
• White Turtleneck Top,  100% Cotton
• 1-Gallon Container for Dyeing
• Pot for Heating Water
• Measuring Cups & Measuring Spoons
• Spoon for Stirring Dye
• Rubber Gloves
• Plastic Table Cover
• Sewing Thread to Blend with Fabric
• Straight Pins
• Hand Sewing Needle
• Measuring Gauge
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine

INSTRUCTIONS:

Dyeing the Turtleneck:

1.  Prewash turtleneck to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.  Leave it damp. 

2.  Cover work surface with the plastic table cover. 

3.  Shake dye bottles.  Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix ½ cup Lemon Yellow dye and 4 teaspoons Petal Pink dye with 2 quarts of very hot water (140° F) in dye container; stir well.  Note:  If water is not hot enough, heat some water in a pot or tea kettle.  This vibrant yellow is based on custom color #61 in the Rit Color Formula Guide, located on the Yellow 2 color palette.

4.  Dip the damp turtleneck into the dye bath making sure that it is completely saturated with dye.  Move and stir the turtleneck around in the dye bath.  Squeeze the dye through the turtleneck several times to make sure that the dyed is dispersed evenly.  Allow the turtleneck to remain in the dye bath for 10 minutes, stirring often.

5.  Remove the turtleneck from the dye bath and rinse in cool water until the water runs clear.  Wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse, dry and iron.

Preparing & Cutting Fabric for Poncho

1.  Prewash rayon fabric to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.   Dry and iron fabric.

2.  Lay the fabric out and square off the ends.

3.  Cut a 36” square from the fabric.

4.  Cut the 36” square in half forming two strips of fabric that measure 18” x 36” each.

Dyeing the Fabric

Note:  Each fabric panel will be dyed a different color to create a color-blocked effect.

1.  Shake dye bottles.  Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 2 Tablespoons Purple dye and 2 Tablespoons Violet dye. This trendy Phlox color is based on custom color #567 in the Rit Color Formula Guide, located on the Purple color palette.   

2.  Fill dye container with 1 quart of very hot tap water (140° F).  Note:  If water is not hot enough, heat some water in a pot or tea kettle.  Stir well. 

3.  Pour dye solution into hot water and stir well.  Test dye color to be sure you are satisfied.  Note:  If color is too light, add more dye.  If color is too dark, add more water. 

4.  Wet one fabric strip in warm water; squeeze out excess water.  Then immerse fabric strip into the dye bath, making sure that it is completely saturated.  Move and stir the strip of fabric around in the dye bath.  Squeeze the dye through the fabric several times to make sure that the dye is dispersed evenly.  Allow the strip of fabric to remain in the dye bath for 10 minutes, stirring often.

5.  Remove the fabric from the dye bath and rinse in cool water until the water runs clear.  Wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse, dry and iron. 

6.  Dye second fabric strip as follows:  Shake dye bottles.  Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 4 Tablespoons Cherry Red dye and 1 teaspoon Cocoa Brown dye.   This rich red color is based on custom color #121 in the Rit Color Formula Guide, located on the Cool Red color palette. 

7.  Fill dye container with 1 quart of very hot tap water (140° F).  Note:  If water is not hot enough, heat some water in a pot or tea kettle.  Pour dye solution into hot water and stir well.  Test dye color to be sure you are satisfied.  Note:  If color is too light, add more dye.  If color is too dark, add more water. 

8.  Continue dyeing fabric strip.  Follow steps 4 and 5 above.

Assembling & Sewing Poncho

Note:  Stitch ¼” seams.

1.  Pin the two color blocks together, as shown.  Then machine stitch the blocks together, starting 1” from the top edge of the horizontal block.

2.  Refer to the diagram.  Match edge A to edge A and pin together.  Then machine stitch the color blocks together.  Start stitching 1” from the top edge of the second color block.

3.  Finish off the seam allowances using your favorite method (I used a zigzag stitch).

Hemming the Poncho

Use your favorite hemming technique to finish the raw edges of the poncho.  I used a simple hand overcast stitch.

1.  To make a double hem:  Measure ½” from unfinished lower edges of the poncho; turn and press.  Then turn edges again another ½”.  Press and pin hem in place.

2.  Hand overcast the hem edge, changing thread colors to match the color of the block you’re sewing.

3.  Repeat these steps for the unfinished neck edge.