Pattern Review -- Car Ponchos for the Grandkids using McCall’s 6431

 



With the colder weather settling in, I wanted to make something warm and easy to wear for my grandkids—especially for car rides when bulky coats aren’t ideal. I pulled out McCall’s 6431 and got to work making two: one in an XS and one in a Small.

Why a Car Poncho?

Winter coats can be a safety hazard in car seats. The extra bulk prevents the harness from fitting snugly against the child’s body, which can lead to dangerous slack in an accident. A car poncho solves this problem by providing warmth without interfering with the harness.

With a poncho, the child gets buckled in first, and then the back of the poncho can be lifted over the car seat while the front drapes over their lap for warmth. No compressed padding, no loosened straps—just a safe and cozy ride!

Pattern & Fabric Choices

McCall’s 6431 is designed for woven fabrics, but I opted for fleece since it’s soft, warm, and doesn’t fray. I let the kids pick out fun prints. Both opted for trucks. Instead of the hood options in the pattern, I used the collared version.

Construction Notes

The poncho comes together quickly with just a few seams. Here’s what I did:

  • Seam Finishing: Even though fleece doesn’t fray, I serged the seams and used a narrow hem, for both a more polished look and durability. Anything in the car is likely to get dirty and willl need to be washed frequently. A note of caution—fleece dulls serger blades quickly, so be prepared to change them if you sew with fleece often!
  • Collar: This was an easy sew and lays nicely. I topstitched around the edges for a clean finish.
  • Zipper: I used a separating zipper, making it easier both for the kids to put on and take off and for me to gain access to the car seat straps without having to lift the poncho up over their faces while securing the straps. The zipper also means the poncho can be worn open on milder days.
  • Length & Fit: The XS fits perfectly for my size 2T toddler, while the Small fits the size 4T toddler well. Both have plenty of room for layering if worn outside the car.

For my review in pattern review:  Click Here

Final Thoughts

This was a fun, practical project, and the grandkids love their ponchos! They can wear them in the car without the bulk of a heavy coat, and the fleece keeps them warm without restricting movement. I’d definitely make these again!

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