piece_one is an object designed to protect the upper body from sunlight and ward off heat. In particular, it protects the shoulders, which are the part most exposed to sunlight next to the head. This sun poncho is a unisex garment meant to be worn over existing clothing when necessary. Each of the pieces is inspired by the fan, which is already a democratized form of cooling. The familiar pleats of a fan are integrated into the armholes to increase the range of movement.

For the piece_one, you’ll need a lightweight and breathable fabric. Additionally, it’s helpful if the fabric doesn’t fray, saving you the step of hemming. A tip for fabric selection is Tyvek fabric, as it is lightweight, affordable, and doesn’t fray. For the neckline, it’s useful to use a binding tape, such as bias tape.

The color of your fabric should be light, as this allows good reflection of sunlight. You can choose a white, off-white, silver, or light gray fabric for this purpose.

sewing instructions

information

Tools you will need for piece_one are: printer, tape, sewing accessories, chalk or similar method for marking like a sublimation pen, transfer film if necessary

Fabric required: 1.10cm fabric length for 150cm fabric width

instructions

Start by sewing the shoulder darts. Press the darts inward without cutting them (this creates an effect similar to shoulder pads). Optionally, you can topstitch the dart edges. Press the folds into the fold or intermediate pieces. The right side of the fold piece should face backward or inward toward the center fold. Pin the individual poncho pieces right sides together in the following order: front piece, intermediate piece, shoulder, intermediate piece, back piece, intermediate piece, shoulder, intermediate piece. Sew the pieces together and, if necessary, finish the edges. Finish the lower hem edge, fold it by 1 cm, and stitch it in place (for a fraying fabric). An alternative is to use hem tape to finish the hem without sewing.

Now sew each pleated point close to the edge (accordion-style).
Place the seam allowance between the pleated section and the front or back section in the direction of the front or back section and sew close to the edge. Place the shoulder piece and the intermediate piece on top of each other at the connecting seam, left sides facing and sew close to the edge.
Align all the pleats on the neckline edge towards the front or back piece and pin in place. Do this on all four seams. Sew all the pleats together from the neckline approx. 5 cm downwards.
Trim the neckline with matching bias tape. Finally, iron the poncho.