How To Make a Poncho from a Shower Curtain

How-To Topics » shower curtain, sewing, curtain, poncho, Raincoat, rain coat, rain poncho, recycled fashion, renewable fashion, sewing poncho, connecting a washing machine to the main water supply

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If you're retiring your shower curtain, maybe it can be born again as a poncho. Instead of protecting your bathroom floor from an indoor shower, it'll protect you from an outdoor shower!

Step 1

Prepare your sewing machine. You can make this using a standard sewing machine, without any special attachments. See the "Things You'll Need" list below.

Switch out the needle.
Thread a bobbin.
Set your stitch length to three or higher.

Step 2

Wash the shower curtain, unless it's new. Put the shower curtain through a cold, gentle wash cycle to remove soap scum and mold. Run it through the washing machine with small and soft items like hand towels, wash cloths, socks, etc.--The little items will "scrub" away the soap scum and residue, leaving a nicely clean plastic liner. To use less water, you can also try soaking the shower curtain in a bleach solution, then scrubbing it with a brush as needed. Hang to dry.

Step 3

Measure and cut the shower curtain 55" (140cm) wide by its existing length (about 67" in this case). Set aside the piece you cut off, you'll need it later.

Step 4

Cut away any seams.

Step 5

Cut a 12" (30.5cm) slit in the exact center of the curtain, parallel to where the seam was (the side that's 55"). This will be the head hole.

Step 6

Fold the piece you set aside earlier in half.

Step 7

Draw a hood starting from the folded edge and cut it out. Look at the image for guidance, or trace a hood from an existing garment. (The folded edge is the part that goes over your head, the curve goes on the back of your head.)

Step 8

Sew along the curved edge. Here are some things to keep in mind when sewing the curtain:

When you feed it into the sewing machine, put a flat piece of tissue paper underneath it so that the curtain doesn't stick and stall the sewing machine.
Don't sew the same spot more than once, or else the curtain may get weak and tear.
When you're done, tear the tissue paper away.

Step 9

Cut a 2" slit in the middle of one side of the head hole (perpendicular to the line).

Step 10

Fold the flaps under and pin them down to make the front neck opening of the poncho. Pin the hood inside of the hole. It helps to carefully try it on a couple times and make sure it lays right.