My Halloween costume last year was a great big Seahawk logo headpiece. You can read the instructable for it here:https://www.instructables.com/id/Sew-Yourself-a-Seahawk-or-other-logo-mascot/. At the time, I did a rush-job on the body and simply wore a store-bought fringed sweater and some sparkly fabric. I always intended to someday make wings to match though, and the Tailgate contest seemed like the perfect opportunity to take on that challenge.

This instructable isn't limited to Seahawk fans. It can be modified to represent different types of wings and used in costumes or by other fans whose teams have birds for mascots. The end result is an eye-catching poncho that will show off your spirit, keep you warm, and protect you from the elements.

Step 1: The Bottom Layer.

Take a piece of fleece approximately 60 inches long and 60 inches wide.

Fold it in half so there is a fold at the top and you have 2 layers of fleece.

Then fold it in half again so there is another fold on the left side and you have 4 layers of fleece.

Line up all your corners.

Using sharp scissors, cut "feathers" out in a zig-zag pattern as shown. (I did this freehand.)

In the top left corner, start one inch down from the fold and cut across 7 inches in a slight upward angle that ends at the top fold line. This will be your head hole.

Step 2: The Second Layer.

Take another piece of fleece approximately 60 inches long and 60 inches wide, fold it just as you did in Step One and place it atop your bottom layer.

Trim away the top part about 12 inches from the head hole and angle your cut slightly upward toward the opposite side. (You don't want the shoulder area to consist of multiple layers of fleece - this will be too heavy and hot.)

Using sharp scissors, cut all 4 layers of this fleece to make "feathers" in a zig-zag pattern so that the point of each "feather" lands between each "feather" on the bottom layer. Be careful not to cut your bottom layer.

You should have 2 layers of "feathers". Open up your poncho and pin one layer of feathers in place and sew a straight line across the top edge of layer two, connecting it to layer one. Do this to the other side of the poncho as well.

Step 3: The Third Layer.

Take another piece of fleece approximately 12 x 60 inches and fold it in half lengthwise then fold it in half again and place it at an angle atop your 2 previous layers. (This is a more economical and less wasteful method than I did the previous layer.)

Again, cut all 4 layers of this fleece to make "feathers" in a zig-zag pattern so that the point of each "feather" lands between each "feather" on the second layer. Be careful not to cut your bottom layers.

Open up your poncho and pin your third layer of feathers in place and sew a straight line across the top edge of layer three, connecting it above layer two. Do this to the other side as well.

Your front and back should look identical and symmetrical.

Step 4: Attaching the Fourth Layer.

This part is a bit tricky, but it results in a nice finished neckline, so stick with me here.

Spread out your poncho with the layers of feathers facing the floor and lay a piece of nylon fabric (approximately 60 inches x 50 inches) over top of it. (The fabric store was all out of navy blue fleece and I found this silky soft nylon [like swimsuit material] that worked even better for the top layer.) Nylon, like fleece, won't fray when you cut it.

Find your head hole and carefully cut a hole in the middle of your nylon to match and pin it together all the way around. Attach your nylon fabric to your original layer by sewing all the way around your head hole. Snip your corners close to the sewing line so they don't pull at the fabric when you turn it right-side out.

Now, gather up all your nylon fabric and shove it through the head hole.

Step 5: The Top Layer.

Look! You have a nicely finished head hole!

Now, spread out your nylon over top your fleece and carefully cut "feathers" in the same fashion you did the previous layers making sure not to accidentally cut any of the layers below it.

To ensure that the top layer stays in place, sew a straight stitch down the middle of the front, the middle of the back, along the top fold line (where your arms will be), and along the outside edge (where your wrists will be).

Step 6: You're Finished!

I cannot guarantee that your poncho will have magical powers. Sadly, mine didn't help the Seahawks win the Super Bowl. But! now I have a fancy colorful poncho to wear on future game days when we no doubt will rise like a phoenix and win again. Go Hawks!