How to Make a Rain Poncho out of a Shower Curtain

Rob and Corinne of Threadbanger are at it again, this time re-using and recyling a shower curtain! Take one of your shower curtains and make it into a unique rain poncho following these directions. For more info, watch the video! Want to make more recycled and individual fashion? Subscribe to Threadheads on iTunes!

Materials:

Shower curtain, sewing machine, nylon thread (we used transparent), tissue paper, leather sewing machine needles, scissors, tape measure, ruler, permanent marker

Have fun!

Step 1 Vinyl Sewing and Shower Curtain Preparation

First, some basic vinyl sewing tips using your regular sewing machine with no special attachments:

Put a leather needle on your machine, thread a bobbin of the nylon thread, and set a stitch length to 3 or higher. Place the tissue paper between the vinyl and the feed dog so that the vinyl doesn't stick, and start sewing. Be careful not to sew on the same spot more than once or it will weaken and rip easily. When you're done, tear the tissue paper away and voila!

If you're using an old shower curtain, be sure to wash it very well first. We highly recommend some of the anti-mold cleaner Meg made on an episode of Decor it Yourself.

Keeping these tips in mind, now it's poncho time!

Comments

[JoreneD]

Polyester fabrics used for shower curtains / liners are available in a variety of colors, are machine washable, repel water, easier material to sew, and drape nicely. Softer and more pliable than vinyl, smaller when folded, lighter weight for packing along with you, and you can even make a carry pouch.

Seal the seams to reduce / prevent leaking. There are products - such as backpacker outerwear laundry accessories - you can use to increase or refresh the "repel water" status.

Also consider making the hood a bit deeper and adding a drawstring around the face so you have more control over where that hood stays. Get creative and you can also add some stiffening and create a visor for additional rain protection of the face.

For safety and to increase your visibility to others out on a stormy day, lighter and brighter colors are recommended.

[wyldethang]

works well with old plastic table cloths too, esp the cloth backed ones provide a little warmth if your cold.

[skeptikool]

I've found these discarded curtains quite frequently and have kept them for waterproof covers for mowers and things. Similarly, I made a poncho from one of those nylon sheets that you hang above a small tent. Snag was, it was water-resistant, not waterproof - but still performed quite well. I used mine for cycling and after a couple of really frightening experiences, I'd like to pass on a tip that could save one from disaster. On one occasion, while cycling on major highway and with tractor-trailers passing at high speed the back of the poncho blew over my head totally obscuring my vision. At another time, cycling into a strong wind, it was the front of the poncho that lifted and rendered me temporarily blind. If for cycling wear, have the back of the poncho long enough so that you can sit on it. If your bicycle doesn't have a rear fender, this will also keep your backside dry. Attach a couple of ties to the bottom of the front of the poncho so that you can secure it from lifting. It wouldn't hurt to include a strip of reflective tape back and front, also. A good and useful instructable.

[IdahoDavid]

Nice reuse-recycle concept. Old shower curtains also make nice ground clothes for camping. My wife has one in back of the van she uses to lay down whenever she has to move something messy, like when we get the regular tires switched with the snow tires, etc. Also useful if you need to get rid a body, but that's another story.