How To Sew A Collar: 13-Step Process To Sewing Collars  

Do you have a dress or shirt that could use a new collar? Instead of buying one, why not learn how to sew a collar? It’s a very easy process too. In no time you’ll have a brand new collar to add to your wardrobe. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions on how to sew a collar.

A collar is a Folded or banded edge of a garment, usually, at the neckline, that finishes off the raw edge and adds stability to the fabric. A collar can be part of a dress, shirt, blouse, jacket, or coat. It can be stand-alone or attached to the garment. 

Sewing is often used to create or mend clothing and other textile items, but it can also be used for other purposes such as quilting, applique, and upholstery. 

First of all, you need to cut your fabric to the desired size. To do this, first, measure the neckline of the garment. Then, add 1 inch (2.54 cm) to the measurement for seam allowance. Finally, cut the fabric to this size. To learn this process in detail stays tuned till the end.

How To Sew a Collar On Shirts? 

Shirts typically have a collar that is sewn on. The first step is to find the center back of the shirt and the center front.

Then, you will need to cut two strips of fabric that are about 1 1/2 inches wide and long enough to go from the center back to the center front. Next, you will need to sew these strips together at the shoulders. 

After the shoulders are sewn, you can start attaching the collar to the neckline of the shirt. Start by pinning the collar in place at the center back, then work your way around to the center front. Be sure to stretch the collar slightly as you sew it in place so that it fits snugly against the neckline. 

Finally, once the collar is sewn in place, you can finish the raw edges with a zigzag stitch or by serging them. This will help to prevent the fabric from fraying over time. And that’s it! You’ve now successfully sewn a collar onto a shirt. 

What Materials Will I Need To Sew A Collar? 

Assuming you would like to make a basic, detachable collar, you will need the following materials:  

• 1/2 yard of fabric (any woven fabric will do) 
• Coordinating thread 
• Scissors 
• A disappearing ink pen or chalk 
• A straight pin 
• A hand-sewing needle 
• A sewing machine. 

How To Sew A Collar: 13-Step Process To Sewing Collars

Sewing a collar may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple! Just follow this 13-step process and you’ll be sewing collars like a pro in no time. 

1. Choose The Right Fabric  

Collar patterns are available in different fabrics. Collar choices include everything from traditional shirt fabric to eyelet and lace. Consider the weight of the fabric when choosing a pattern. Heavier fabrics, such as denim, will require a sturdier collar construction than lighter fabrics, such as cotton lawn. 

2. Pre-wash And Press Your Fabric 

Pre-washing is always a good idea when working with natural fibers, such as cotton or linen. This will help to avoid shrinkage later on. Once your fabric is pre-washed, press it before starting to cut out your pattern pieces. This will give you neater collars that are easier to work with. 

3. Cut Out Your Pattern Pieces 

Most commercial collar prints will have you cut out two main pieces- a front and a back. The front piece will usually be cut on the fold so that you end up with a symmetrical piece. The back piece will usually need to be cut twice so that you have mirror images of the left and right sides. 

4. Stay Stitch The Outer Edges Of Your Fabric Pieces 

Before assembly, it’s a good idea to stay stitch the outer edges of your fabric pieces. This will help to keep them from stretching or distorting as you work with them. To stay stitch, simply sew a straight stitch along the outer edge of each piece, about 1/4″ from the edge. 

5. Assemble Your Collar Pieces 

Once your pieces are cut out and stay stitched, it’s time to assemble them. To do this, simply place the front piece on top of the back piece, right sides together. Pin in place, then sew along the edges with a straight stitch, about 1/4″ from the edge. 

6. Trim Your Seam Allowances 

After sewing your collar together, trim away any excess fabric from your seam allowances. This will help to keep your collars looking neat and tidy. You can trim away as much or as little as you like, but we recommend trimming away at least 1/8″. 

7. Press Your Seam Allowances Open 

Once your seam allowances are trimmed, press them open with an iron. This will help to flatten out your collars and make them easier to work with. 

8. Finish The Raw Edges Of Your Collars 

To keep your collars from fraying, you’ll need to finish the raw edges. There are a few different ways to do this, but we recommend using bias tape or binding tape. Simply wrap the tape around the raw edge of the fabric, then sew it in place. 

9. Sew On Any Interfacing 

If you’re using a lightweight fabric for your collar, you may want to sew on some interfacing. This will help to give your collars more structure and body. Interfacing is available in different weights, so choose one that is appropriate for your fabric.

10. Mark The Placement Of Your Collar Stay Pockets 

Collar stays are small strips of plastic or metal that help to keep collars looking crisp and sharp. Before sewing your pockets, you’ll need to mark their placement on the wrong side of the fabric. Most commercial patterns will have you place the pockets 3/4″ from the outer edges of the collars. 

11. Sew Your Collar Stay Pockets 

Once you’ve marked the placement of your pockets, it’s time to sew them on. To do this, simply sew around the edge of each pocket, about 1/8″ from the edge. Be sure to leave an opening at the top of each pocket so that you can insert the collar stays later on. 

12. Insert Your Collar Stays 

After sewing your pockets, insert the collar that stays into each one. To do this, simply slide the stay into the pocket and position it in the center. Once all of your stays are in place, sew the openings of the pockets closed. 

13. Attach Your Collars To Your Garment 

The final step is to attach your collars to your garment. This is usually done by sewing them onto the neckline of a shirt or dress. Most patterns will have you sew the collars on with a 1/2″ seam allowance. 

You’ve now learned how to sew a collar onto a garment. With a little practice, you’ll be able to make collars that look professional and polished. 

Conclusion

Now that you’ve reached the end of this tutorial, you should have a good understanding of how to sew a collar onto a garment. With a little practice, you’ll be able to make collars that look professional and polished.

If you enjoyed this tutorial, be sure to check out our other sewing tutorials. We have a wide variety of tutorials that cover everything from basic stitches to more advanced techniques. 

We hope that this article has helped you to know how to sew a collar in a 13-step process to sewing collars. If you have any questions then let us know in the comment section. Thanks for reading.