Free Sewing Pattern: This child Car Seat Poncho Pattern is perfect going out and about – it’s so soft and comfortable like wearing a favorite blanket! Free pdf pattern and step by step picture tutorial included to make this cute and functional cape.
This adorable car seat poncho {free pattern} is made from minky fleece – it’s like wearing a cuddle blanket! 
With the soft hood that has the option of adding bear ears, cat ears or horns, this cape is so cute on little ones. The design of the cape also works well with car seats, allowing restrains to sit beneath the cape, keeping the bulk out of the way for child’s comfort. Please be aware that this tutorial is 3 pages long – be sure to look for navigation to the next page at the bottom of the page.
For this project you will need:
1.5 yards (1 2/3 yards for 6 – 9 size) cuddle fleece
In the example below I used Mar Bella Ibiza Fresa with the pocket in Barcelona Cuddle Fresa by Shannon Fabrics.
1.5 yards satin (1 2/3 yards for 6 – 9 size)
walking foot
Sewing Essentials (scissors, pins, etc.)
Disclaimer: Fabric was provided to me free of charge by Shannon Fabrics to write about. I will be honest that you working with cuddle fabric can be difficult if you are a beginner. I recommend getting a few other projects under your belt before working with cuddle fabric.
Car Seat Poncho Pattern Tutorial
Step 1a – Assemble the pattern and cut out pieces – body
You will need to assemble the Car Seat Poncho Pattern pattern. For instructions on how to assemble the pattern click here. 
First you will need to cut two squares of fabric for a child sizes 6- 9 you will need two 28 by 28 inch squares, 3 – 5 you will need two 25 by 25 inch (63.5 cm by 63.5 cm) squares out of cuddle fleece. For a Baby 0-3 months you will want two 16 by 16 inch (40.5 cm by 40.5cm). For 1- 3 years cut two 20 by 20 inches squares. Make sure they are perfectly square by checking the square by taking it corner to corner.
Next place the Poncho back curve Negative in on one of the squares ( this should be placed where you want the top of the cape to be). Line up the pattern piece as seen in the picture and cut out.
Now it’s time to take the 2nd square and place the Poncho front V Negative on the top corner and cut it out (see picture). Then with the front piece we’re going to take one more additional step of taking out ruler and rotary blade cut the square in half using the bottom of the V and bottom corner to line up your ruler, making two triangles.
Repeat with the Satin Fabric. Doing the same thing.
Step 1b – continue to cut out pattern – hood
Now it’s time to cut out the hood and pocket pieces of the car seat poncho. The hood has a couple of design options for you. You can make it so it is can have ears, or it can be more simple and not have the ear/horn option.
In the example I cut 4 of the hood front from cuddle fabric, and 2 of the hood back from cuddle fabric, and 2 of the hood back from the lining material ( this was to make it so the lining wasn’t visible when the hood was on, but kept it from getting too bulky).
I am adding bear ears to this cape so I am going cut out 2 of the inner ear and two of the outer ear. Note: You have the option to cut out the hood in only two pieces – Just cut two of the full hood from the cuddle and 2 from the lining, or you can cut the exterior (cuddle) with 2 for the front 2 of the back and cute 2 of the full hood for the lining. Any of these combinations will work. If this is confusing to you, disregard this paragraph and just follow along with what I do. =)
Step 1c – continue to cut out car seat poncho pattern – pockets
The last thing to cut out are the front pockets. While these aren’t essential to the garment – they are really cute and not hard to make so i think it’s worth the time. On folded fabric cut out 2 of the pockets.
Step 2 – Sew and mount the pockets on to the child cape
We’re going to pin the pockets to finish the edges and then mount them to the car seat cape.
With right side facing down, turn under the tabs all the way around the pocket.
Be sure not to sew down the diagonal section as this is where hands go in. Do not bother sewing the section along the edge as it will be taken care of when we sew on the lining. I used a walking foot for the pocket and mounting it. Set front pieces aside.
Step 3 – Make Ears for hood (Optional)
If you want to make the ears for the hood this is optional – but really cute! If you want to learn how to make the horns follow the tutorial here, For the bear and the cat ears: taking and exterior and interior ear piece, put right sides together and line up the bottoms of the pieces. The exterior is larger than the interior so your ear will have a nice outline. Line up the exterior edges of the piece and pin (this will cause the back to bubble). I like to use a lot of pins to get this right sew using a .25 inch (.75cm) seam.Turn right side out.For Bear ear: Sew top stitch seam on ear if desired. For Cat Ear: Turn each bottom corner into center of ear, pin and baste stitch down.
Step 4a – assemble the hood
Take the cuddle exterior back of the hood. Sew the two pieces together using a .5 inc h (1.25 cm) seam allowance. Repeat with the lining. ( I removed teh walking foot and used just a regular foot for this)
Step 4b – add the ears
Place the ears on the hood where you would like them to be ( close to the top looks best) pin then tack down in place using a .25 inch (.75 cm). Again using just a regular foot.
Step 4c – Sew the front pieces together.
Sew the front piece together at the top for the exterior and lining.
Step 4d – Sew the front pieces and the back pieces together
With right sides together, pin and sew together. Take extra care to line up the seams at the top. Take the two exterior pieces and sew together using a .5 inch seam allowance. This can be done with a walking foot to help with the bulk especially just over the ears. Repeat with the lining.
Step 5 – Sew the hood exterior and lining together
With right sides together pin the two hoods together, making sure the seam at the top lines up on both pieces. Using a walking foot sew the two together using a .5 inch (1.25cm) seam allowance. Turn hood right side out and set aside.
Step 6 – sew the outer body of the cape together
With right side together place the front of the child poncho on the back. Sew each side seam using a walking foot with a .5 inch (1.25cm) seam allowance. Repeat with the lining.
Step 7 – sew the hood onto the exterior of the cape.
Line up the back of hood and the sides with the top of the exterior cape. With right sides together ( the exterior of the hood touching the exterior of the cape) pin the hood into place. Sew on using a .5 inch (1.25 cm) seam allowance.
Step 8 – sew lining to the child cape.
With the hood sandwiched in between the exterior and the lining, place right sides together and pin be sure to leave a 4 to 6 inch ( 10 to 15 cm) gap at the back bottom for turning. Sew all the way around using a walking foot and a .5 inch ( 1.25 cm) seam allowance.
Step 8 – sew lining to the cape.
Turn right side and sew gap shut. Optional – top stitch all the way around the cape using a .25 inch (.5 cm) seam allowance.
Step 9 – add button and button hole.
Take button and draw button hole onto the side you wish the button to be on. on the hood front. Sew in button hole and attach button on the other side. Trim threads.
Download the free pattern, tutorial below!
You can get a free copy of Adobe reader here– it is the ONLY reader I recommend. By downloading you are agreeing to pattern terms of use. Click the picture of the pattern envelope to download the .pdf ! Fleece Fun’s patterns are free and this site will never ask for your credit card information.
You Might Also Like:
This Fall Cape for Girls is a cute and classic look.
This super hero cape goes around the arms and can be reversed to be a car seat blanket for baby! Get the tutorial here.
Looking for a crochet version of a Car Seat Cloak? You can find that here courtesy of Left in Knots.
Beckie says
I like the fabric, the print is very pretty! Thanks for sharing this project!
C says
Is it alright to make a few of these ponchos to send to a charity in the Applachian mountains. I made dresses and would like to add a poncho to keep them warm on their way to schoo.l.
Angel says
Hi there,
My patterns are free to use – especially for charitable causes! Please make as many capes as you need to. =)
KIM says
HI, IS THE 0-3 MONTHS MEANT TO BE 0-3 YEARS?
Angel says
No its 0 – 3 months, I’ll be adding more sizes in the next few months
kim says
Thank you so much, we are going into winter here in SA, I have two big kids and 2 little ones 4 and 7, and cant make 1 for one and not the other. I look forward to your patterns. and cant wait to make on this weekend,( i will say its for me neice) so thank you again.
Shirley says
Need larger size of the cute cape. Size 10 12
Janet says
Can you use a cotton lining instead of satin?
Angel says
You can, be sure to wash the fabric fist though. =)
kathy says
I love your patterns!! Although, I am having a little problem with the cape
for baby or child. Is the hood a whole separate entity?
I don’t see any instructions for attachment to the cape itself.
Thank you.
Angel Hickman Peterson says
Hi Kathy,
the instructions are so long for the cape pattern that it’s diveided up over 3 pages:
http://www.fleecefun.com/free-pattern-for-child-cape-or-car-seat-poncho.html
http://www.fleecefun.com/free-car-seat-poncho-patter-or-cape-pattern-page-3.html
Hope that helps,
Angel
Rosa says
Just wondering if you added more sizes yet? I need 6-9 months for poncho.
Angel Hickman Peterson says
Hi Rosa,
I will be adding more sizes next month.
– Angel
beccah says
Hello,,,I love this pattern…can you just use fleece instead of the cuddle fleece? Thanks!
Angel Hickman Peterson says
Yes Beccah regular fleece will work!
Jen says
Any chance you will be putting up a pattern for a 1 year old soon? I need to make one for my almost 1 year old very soon!
Jen says
Love this! Any chance you will be posting sizes for a 12-18 month old soon?
Heather says
I made one of these for my two year old niece, its a lil big but it looks great and she can grow into it! My other niece however is in tears because she does not have one of her own. I need a pattern for a childs ten/twelve. Can you help?
Regina says
Hello this pattern is so beautiful I really want to make one for my daughter, if I don’t use cuddle fabric and just regular fleece is the walking foot necessary? I’m fairly new to sewing so I have a very basic machine hopefully I can still make this for my daughter
Angel Hickman Peterson says
Hi Regina,
No walking foot is necessary with regular fleece. Given that you are a beginner I strongly suggest that you line it with a flannel or a jersey knit instead of satin. Good luck!
– Angel
ReGina says
I looked at the pattern and the instructions, see you put pockets but I don’t see openings forr the arms to come out am I missing something? Or is it not supposed to have openings for arms?
Angel Hickman Peterson says
Regina,
You leave the angles edge open – that’s where the hands go.
Kay says
Hi Angel,
I absolutely love your site and have made several gifts using your patterns and they are always hits. When will you have the child’s size 6/7 up? My daughter’s birthday is December 16th and she’s been begging me for this cape since you first put up the pattern. Please help me make her birthday perfect.
Angel Hickman Peterson says
Kay,
I have it in the works, should only be a week or two.
– Angel
Tammy W says
Oh I love this! I would absolutely LOVE to see an adult size too so I can make our daughter and granddaughter a set and possibly even one for me, imagine how cute it would be for all three of us wearing them! 🙂
vera says
Hello. Can you tell me the size of the square for the 1-3 pattern?
Brenda H. says
I too would love to see adult sizes. Is that something you are considering doing? It would be a great girlfriend gift for Christmas.
KATIE says
Hi Angel,
Thanks so much for the great pattern! For the child size 1-3, how big should the square be for the body of the poncho?
Thanks!
Katie
RENAE MONDRAGON says
THIS IS A VERY CUTE PONCHO. COULD YOU MAKE A VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR US DUMMIES/BEGINNERS AND POST TO YOUTUBE?
vera says
I left two comment but i have not seen them posted. I do not know if I’m doing something wrong. I would like to know the size of the square to cut, for the 1-3 years old size. Thank you. Vera
Angel Hickman Peterson says
Sorry Vera,
It’s up now – 20 by 20 inches.
Jenn says
Ohhhh…. Me too. I am waiting anxiously for a bigger-than-five size. We get -40 here, and I am a fanatic about using carseats safely. I’m not quite smart enough to adjust the pattern myself. Any chance it will be available in the next few weeks??
Meghan says
Has a 6-7 been posted yet?
Susan says
Hi… in the pattern instructions, what size square do I need for the body of the poncho in the 1 – 3 years size? I am going to make three for my triplet grandchildren. I will use a fleece for the one side, and a fleece-backed nylon for the lining. We’re figuring that the nylon will help cut the wind… But I can’t start them unless I have the square size for the 1-3 year size. Thank you
Susan says
WHat size square of fleece do I need for the body of the size 1 – 3 car seat poncho? It is not listed in the instructions. Thank You
Angel Hickman Peterson says
Susan,
sorry that I forgot to include the measurement for you, it’s now up – 20 by 20 inches.
Thanks,
Angel
Nancy Benaway says
I cannot get any where to download the size 1 to 3 years. Nothing I click on will take me to the pattern.
Angel Hickman Peterson says
Nancy,
I am so sorry, I edited the page and accidently broke the link from the picture! It’s fixed now thank you letting know.
– Angel
Belle says
Hi Angel I love love love your site I was wondering about the size 3-5 when I click it it takes me to the 1 -3 thanks so much is advance
Angel Hickman Peterson says
Belle,
I fixed the link – thank’s for the heads up!
Belle says
Perfect thaniks so much I have 4 grand daughters I am making these for they will be adorable
HN says
Hi & thanks very much for posting your wonderful patterns! I clicked on the 3-5 year but got the pattern for 1-3 years, when you have a moment, will you check? thanks!
Belle says
any plan for a 6 to 9 month 🙂 its all i need I might can cute down the 1-3 years if i have to 🙂 your patterents are great keep up the good work
Rita says
Thank you for this! I was going to get something from a big box store for our princess but this way, I can customize it. I may do a trial run with some leftover fleece and some old T-shirts I got from the Salvation Army. I’ve been looking for something that I can have her wear in the car so we don’t have to bundle her up in her car seat. Good luck with your other uploads!
Kelly says
i am making the age 1-3 size for my grand-daughter with the cat ears. i don’t understand the part of the directions where it says turn in the edges of the ear and baste down the middle. i believe in the pictures you show a bears ear as an example. can you help explain this more clearly for me?
Angel Hickman Peterson says
Basically you’re making the cat ear appear like it’s curling in. Take the two bottom ends and have them come in in the middle. For a better visual of how to make the cat ears you can watch a different video tutorial that uses the same ears on this page – http://www.fleecefun.com/halloween-hat-pack.html . If you look at the video starting at 2:20 it shows in detail how to make the cat ears ( I think this will be easier than me trying to explain it to you.)
Thanks,
Angel
Holly says
How does this work for the car seat? It turned out to be just a poncho, did i do something wrong?
Angel Hickman Peterson says
It can work as a tent over the seat or you can have the child sit on the back of the poncho and bring the front over the buckles.
Lisa says
Thank you so much! This was exactly what I was looking for. So cute!
FADILA says
I just want to say that you are amazing!!! I really like the hats… Thank you
Sandy says
Love your detailed directions & patterns. Looking forward to making this for our granddaughter. Plan to use if for a Beach Cover-up, as well. Have you ever made it without a lining or using Terry Cloth rather than fleece?
Angel Hickman Peterson says
It would work with terry cloth as long as you finish the edges. The pattern would function fine without a lining.
Amy rudd says
I was wondering if you have a tutorial on how to put the hood part together?
Angel Hickman Peterson says
You’re only on page one you need to go to pages 2 and 3
Kendra Allsop says
Thanks for posting all of this! I am going to try and make a giraffe one for my son! Thanks again I really appreciate it
Steph says
I’m making the car seat poncho. Since fleece stretches one direction and not the other is there a certain way you need to cut the pieces? For the pattern pieces I was going to arrange like it is on the printout/pattern, but what about the 2 squares you cut out first? Should they stretch side to side so you can kind of wrap it around the child??? Thanks so much!
Angel Hickman Peterson says
Since the squares are at an angle the stretch isn’t a factor – so just try to arrange the squares as best you can.
Ginny says
Why are the pockets on the outside rather than on the inside? Are they just aesthetic?
Angel Hickman Peterson says
As the inside is satin and knowing how hard kids can be on clothes I thought they would be better on the exterior.
Lynne says
Thank you so much! I cannot imagine how much time you have spent on the patterns in all the different sizes and how helpful you are responding to comments! Your a rock star!
Lynn says
I just LOVE this cape. Every thing about it is just beautiful. I have searched for months for a cute cape pattern and this exceeds what I have been looking for. You have the best detailed tutorials that are very helpful to some one with little experience in sewing (ME). I been wanting to make a “dragon” cape also for the little guy so with some tweaking this pattern is perfect for that also ! Thanks so much for the hard work you put into your tutorials & videos, they really give the frustrated beginner hope
Shirley Fitch says
I cannot get the pattern to download. I have the instructions but not the patterns. Do I need Publications to do this or what am I incorrectly. I would love to make one of these for m grand niece.
Angel Hickman Peterson says
See this video to help you – https://youtu.be/Yt5QJNWyJlE
Tiffany Johnson says
I dont have the cape pattern for download . All I get is the hood part. help?
Angel Hickman Peterson says
All there is the hood and the “Negative” cut outs – please see the directions and it will make sense.
Rhonda Marr says
This is not the pattern shown on the main page, or the pin picture! Nothing alike. Frustrating!
Angel Hickman Peterson says
Hi Rhonda, unfortunate I don’t have control what other people pin, and I know what your talking about. If it’s any consolation I am frustrated by it too.