Spring is the ideal season to wear ponchos! This is the type of pivotal fashion piece that everyone needs, and they’re really hard to find.

Actually, you can find them everywhere, but finding one that looks fashionable is basically impossible. You will come across ponchos that look like a crazy Mexican tent or make you look like you just threw on your grandmother’s couch blanket that she got on her trip to Arizona with her bingo club. Most are too loud, too big or too thick. For ponchos, light and basic is best. Because finding the perfect poncho is like finding the fountain of youth, I encourage you to make it your damn self!

Supplies:
Fabric
Scissors
Chalk
Measuring tape
Needle and thread or sewing machine
Buttons or scarf pins optional
Margaritas
Guacamole

 Steps:

1. Most bolts of fabric are 58 inches wide, so just use that as a point of reference or starting point in deciding how wide you want to make the poncho. You will need 1¾ yards of fabric for the length. Try to pick a loosely woven fabric that has self-frayed edges. Take your measuring tape and measure out 60 inches of fabric. Mark out with chalk on the edge, and do the same on opposite side. Fold and cut along from chalk edge to chalk edge.
2. Next, fold your piece in half, then again. On the folded inner point, you want to take your chalk and draw a small quarter circle, like a rainbow. Make sure to only chalk it out about three to four inches. Now, cut the rainbow out. Unfold the fabric just once and cut from the circle down only one fabric layer on the longest side. Make sure to cut right at the fold; this lets you skip a step for measuring and cutting. Open it up, and you have the actual poncho shape.
3. Now, decide whether you want to leave your poncho completely frayed or if you want a clean edge. I sewed mine through a machine, but you can hand-stitch. You will have to sew all the edges, which should be folded over about a ¼ of an inch. Sew or fray away!
4. At this point, try on the poncho and decide whether or not you want to add accessories. I like mine plain so I can play with it for different styles. I like to use scarf pins instead of buttons. They are about $2 at any craft or sewing store.
5. Pair with your favorite worn T-shirt, jeans, boots and chunky belt! Throw on a sombrero, pick me up, take me to Mezcal and buy me a shot of tequila, a margarita, all the guacamoles and tell me how pretty I look in my poncho.