Updated at: 12-07-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

This lesson will teach you the basics of weaving a traditional Mexican blanket. Unstitched sides and a lack of sleeves have made the traditional Mexican poncho an instant classic in the world of fashion.

The Mapuche people are credited with spreading the blanket throughout Latin America due to their reputation as master weavers. These days, a poncho instantly transports its wearer to Mexico.

Historically, only men were allowed to wear such garments, and their function was to keep the body warm without limiting mobility. However, the poncho is becoming a widely accepted fashion accessory.

History Of The Mexican Blanket

Naturally, the Aztec civilization of Mexico is well-known. The Aztecs began donning these bright blankets as early as the 1500s in the faith that doing so would please the gods.

The Loopy Stitch Mexican Inspired Crochet Blanket | The Loopy Stitch

Traditional weaving techniques were used to construct the first ponchos, which took more than a year to complete. However, the use of backstrap looms has decreased since the introduction of pedal-powered looms by Europeans.

To this day, a “serape” is the generic name for the Mexican textile that is typically a cotton acrylic blend. The “Boho” aesthetic, which popularized these materials, has become an expression of pride in Mexico’s cultural heritage.

How To Style A Poncho

Most individuals don’t know how to properly style a poncho since they confuse it with a cardigan or jacket. To avoid coming across as boring, avoid this common faux pas.

You need to wear your poncho with the right items to make it seem good. To begin, the poncho is somewhat oversized. The best approach to fashion is to use layers. Scarves, if worn, should be wrapped more snugly around the neck.

Materials Needed

As a piece of clothing, the poncho is really simple. What makes this cloth special are the intricate designs that may be found throughout.

The fabric should have whichever pattern you feel most aesthetically pleasing. Making a Mexican blanket may be a lot of fun.

Woven from agave and cotton, they come in a rainbow of vivid hues. Mexican blankets can be identified by their distinctive diamond pattern in the center.

Put together the basics for any do-it-yourself endeavor. Take out the sewing needles and thread. Adding pom poms to your Mexican blanket is a great way to jazz it up.

It won’t take you more than an hour to complete this simple instruction. If you live in an area that frequently gets wet, a poncho is a great investment to have on hand, whether you need it for Halloween or not.

How To Make Your Own Mexican Blanket

Step #1. Cut the fabric

Have a firm notion of the finished size in mind before you start cutting fabric. Take careful note of the desired length of the poncho’s drape by measuring from shoulder to floor. One useful tip is to use the measurements from a shirt you already own as a starting point.

Step #2. Make an opening for the head

You should make a hole for your head in the top of your poncho, right in the centre. If you want a neater neckline, attach a v-neck shirt and cut around it in an oval form. To wear it, simply pull it over your head and check for even slits.

Step #3. Add accessories

Pom poms can be attached to the poncho’s edges and allowed to swing freely. Choose pom-poms that harmonize with your poncho’s color scheme, or go for contrast by utilizing earth tones.

Can I use the poncho as a raincoat?

It’s true that ponchos can serve as both a fashion statement and a practical rainwear option. Making one is identical to the above process. Imagine a poncho with a hole cut out for the head.

Mexican Serape Blanket Crochet Pattern – Mama In A Stitch

Nylon, being water resistant, is a good choice here because you want to prevent being drenched in the rain. It is possible that the addition of sleeves and a head covering would be appropriate.

Wearing brightly colored nylons with zigzag or striped designs is a great way to stay true to the Mexican style.

How do you clean mexican blankets?

If you own a classic blanket, such one made of cotton or wool, you should wash it by hand with the utmost caution due to the materials’ fragility. You can throw your blanket in the washing machine if it’s made of synthetic fibers. The poncho should be washed in cool water.

How do you wear the serape?

The serape is worn as a cloak since it is similar to a long blanket. It’s about square in shape, like most blankets, but larger than most shawls. In order to make the most of the serape, you should wear it over your neck and shoulders.

Quick Answer: How To Make A Mexican Blanket

How are Mexican blankets made?

Nipomo’s blanket yarn is entirely repurposed from textile industry scraps. The first step is to take the raw recycled fibers and separate away the larger clumps of fiber so that the final product is uniform in texture. Thin layers of fiber are brushed off and piled afterward.

What is the Mexican blanket pattern called?

The original meaning of the word “sarape” referred to a square or rectangular woven blanket without any cuts or openings, but more recently it has come to mean a soft square or rectangular blanket with a cut out in the middle for the head, like the ponchos gabán and jorongo in Mexico.

How are serape blankets made?

Originally, the blankets were woven in the town of Saltillo, in the territory that is now Coahuila. They were usually made up of two separate panels with a diamond-shaped design sewed in the middle. Most modern Saltillo serapes are woven with a blend of cotton and acrylic.

What is Mexican blanket made of?

Wool serapes woven by hand were the standard from the early 1800s through the early 1900s, but by the 1930s, machine-woven serapes had taken their place. Most modern serapes are woven from cotton and acrylic blends.

What are Saltillo blankets made of?

Colorful, naturally dyed wool was woven onto a hand-plied cotton substrate to create the intricate designs. There was a hole cut in the middle of several sarapes so that the wearer could put their head through it. Saltillo sarapes, worn as ponchos, were perfect for riding.

Can you use a Mexican blanket as a rug?

Modern Mexican blankets are inexpensive and durable, so they work well as rugs in high traffic areas or as home decor. A Mexican blanket is perfect for outdoor use because the fibers it is made from are so tough and long-lasting.

Are Mexican blankets wool or cotton?

Cheap and long-lasting, contemporary Mexican blankets are ideally suited for heavy foot traffic areas or as decorative accents anywhere in the home. A Mexican blanket’s fibers are hardy and long-lasting, so they’re perfect for use in the great outdoors.

How much does a serape cost?

Examine alongside equivalents In this case Various Sizes and Colors of Large Authentic Mexican Serape Blankets Medium Size Authentic Mexican Serape Blankets in Vibrant Colors by MEXIMART Price: 80″ x 48″ Price: $1988 $19.99$19.99 Seller: justmikeo DWC Color: Randomly Assigned Cotton acrylic fabric is the shipped material.

Are Mexican blankets made in Mexico?

All of our blankets are conceived in the sunny lowlands of central Mexico and woven by hand by small family businesses in the cold highlands.

What happened to San Marcos blankets?

After six years of disappointing sales, the Monterrey firm finally abandoned production of the cherished textile in 2004. The death of San Marcos blankets was reported in Mexican publications. There will no longer be any San Marcos blankets made.

Do Mexicans wear serapes?

Serapes were worn by many riders because of their fine weave, bright colors, and harmonious design, making them a status symbol in Mexican culture. Artists of the time often depicted vaqueros (cowboys) and other riders wearing this vibrant clothing.

What are the heavy Mexican blankets called?

The cobija, a traditional Mexican blanket, is a cultural icon and a popular source of humor among its thousands of owners.

How do you wash a Saltillo blanket?

Wash in cold water, either alone or with like colors, and tumble dry low.

What does falsa blanket mean?

Blanket, Fake When rolled up or folded, they make comfortable pillows for snoozing in a hammock. Compared to sarape blankets, these are thicker and have a looser weave, similar to a knitted fabric.

What are falsa blankets?

Falsa, the modern name for the striped blankets commonly used in yoga classes, are manufactured blankets. Blankets are made in a continuous roll, then trimmed to size and the tasseled ends fastened. The Falsa is a contemporary take on traditional horse blankets.

Mexican Serape Blanket Crochet Pattern – Mama In A Stitch

How do you hang a Mexican blanket on the wall?

Small finishing nails in the upper corners of a serape’s design allow it to be hung as a wall tapestry. Self-adhesive hook and loop tape can be used for attachment. A length of loop tape should be stitched at the top of the serape, below the fringe.

How heavy are Mexican blankets?

There is a severe shortage of this item: there are only four left in stock. Improve the quality of your purchase. The striped pattern measures 72 inches in length and 58 inches across, and the total product weighs 2 pounds.

How do you wash a thick Mexican blanket?

Machine wash on the gentle cycle with cold water. Fabric softener should be avoided.

How do you wash sarape?

Resources Necessary The water temperature in the washing machine should be adjusted to cold or delicate. While machine washing is fine for most blankets and towels, many Mexican items are hand woven or loomed and feature a variety of threads throughout. When washed in warm or hot water, garments may shrink unevenly.

How do you wash a Mexican yoga blanket?

The materials we use to make our Mexican yoga blankets are a mix of acrylic, cotton, and polyester. If you must wash it in the washing machine, use the delicate cycle and a moderate detergent. Both bleach and ironing should be avoided.

How much do Mexican blankets cost?

It’s common to pay anything from $10-20 for a high-quality Mexican blanket. Sets of ten traditional Mexican blankets can be purchased for less than $100. Commonly, a Mexican blanket will be 70 inches in width and length.

What size is a Mexican blanket?

Approximately, a blanket would be 76 inches long and 53 inches wide.

How big is a serape?

Dimensions for the extra-large size are 82 inches by 60 inches. Size: 78″ x 48″ Dimensions of 76 by 36 inches are considered medium.

Are Mexican blankets soft?

Authentically Mexican in appearance and texture. Very comfortable and long-lasting. It also grows softer with each washing.

What material are San Marcos blankets?

San Marcos blankets were produced with some variations, but for the most part, if you are looking for a genuine San Marcos, characteristically, they are made of 90% acrylic, 10% polyester, though sometimes cotton was part of the mix.

What are the Mexican blankets with animals called?

San Marcos blankets were constructed with a few different varieties, but if you want an authentic one, you need know that they are typically composed of 90% acrylic and 10% polyester, though cotton was also used.

Conclusion

Learning to knit a Mexican blanket might be a useful skill if you love to wear loose clothing. Wrapping yourself in a poncho is a great way to stay warm on chilly evenings. We expect you will find this tutorial to be really useful.