Twister Rain Poncho Using Simplicity 6630

I'm sure it's a great game, but I have never played Twister. I was recently given the game by a friend who was decluttering. I opened the box, saw the fun polka dots and felt the feel of the plastic. I immediately knew my non-playing Twister streak would continue; it just screamed protective rain gear! The plastic would be a perfect and the fun colors would brighten my spirits on a cloudy rainy day.

A single play mat is sufficient yardage to make a raincoat or small poncho depending on the pattern layout and design taste. I really wanted to maximize the "Twister" text and to be certain I had more than enough "fabric",  I sought out a second mat and got to work.

I have many good candidates in my pattern stash for this project. I was anxious to get started so I decided on my Simplicity 6630 reversible poncho pattern. I know it works and it was already cut. 

I made a few changes to the original design. Here are the construction elements:

• I choose a tone on tone cotton fabric for the lining. After cutting the Twister fabric out I serged the individual pieces to the matching lining pieces. With right sides together, I  stitched all but the top together then turned and pressed the lining side with a medium heat setting. In doing this, I finished the edges and added weight to the poncho.
• Omitted the center back seam.
• Installed a separating zipper to the front
• Secured the sides with black heavy duty snaps
• Added a pocket on the right side, camouflaging it somewhat in a green polka dot. 
• Positioned the hood to accommodate the word Twister only partially maintaining the back seam of the hood. 
• Lined the hood with the Twister fabric so it is visible when flipped down.
• Topstitched the outer edge of the entire garment securing the lining to the plastic. 

The interior seams were mostly sewn on my serger with a basic four-thread seam. The machine sewing was done using a ball point needle to minimize damage to the plastic. When possible, I stitched with the lining fabric on the bottom to prevent feeding issues with the plastic. I was able to use my general purpose foot with no problem.  

Open

Pocket

Side Snap

Zipped

Back

 

I ran a few errands wearing this today. If you are shy, do not make this; it is an attention grabber! Delighted people stopped me everywhere I went paying me compliments. I walked past a comic book store and heard a guy yell in a booming voice, "Awesome! A Twister Poncho! I want one!"    


***Update*** I am making another using the modern McCalls 6209. I will share the changes I made when I am done. 

Stay dry and Happy Sewing,
Bianca