collar construction problem

20 years ago

I'm trying to attach my first ever collar (on my first ever sewing project) and my notches, circles and triangles are off by about 1/4". The collar ends up longer than it should be.

Now understand that this project doesn't need to be perfect (it's just a Halloween costume for my 7yo son and he'd be none the wiser). I'm tring to do the best job I can though because I am a perfectionist by nature and always take pride in my work. That said, I'll try to to lose too much sleep if it ain't perfect. :-)

Anyway, I know that you may not be able to answer this without having a more intimate knowledge of my project, but do you think it will be the end of the world if my collar doesn't match up exactly?

I'm not going to do a thing on it/with it until I hear back from you guys, so no pressure....

Thanks!

Kathy

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

kathi_mdgd
20 years ago
Make a few small clips in the seam allowance about 1/4 " deep of the garment,and this should help you ease it in so everything matches up.Did you stay stitch 5/8 " from the edge of the neckline like most patterns tell you to do?? If so you can clip up to within a hair of that stitching.But start off like i said just doing 1/4 ",then if you need to do more then you can.Let us know how it goes.
Kathi
chelone
20 years ago
I always line up the center back mark first, and pin it in place. I then line up the marks closest to the point of closure, usually center front. If you are given references for the shoulders pin those last. I then use pins to anchor the center of the "loose" fabric (the fabric in between the areas you've just pinned) of the collar to the garment. Split the "loose" fabric again and again until you can baste the collar onto the neck edge of the garment with no puckers. It CAN be done, but it's "fiddley". I trim, grade, and notch the allowances last of all.

The first time you do it is the hardest. Take your time, and don't get frustrated. I only rarely cut/notch anything until I have it secured to the garment's neck edge, my own experience is that this creates more aggravation that leaving it all in place. But I've been doing it for many years now.

Most beginners are stunned at how much fabric you can "ease" into what seems like a very confined area. Esp. when working with "bias", something cut off grain. It takes practice to get the perfectly smooth neckline or arm scye you see on very tailored garments.
Related Professionals
Orangeburg Furniture & Accessories · Fergus Falls Furniture & Accessories · Fresno Furniture & Accessories · Provo Furniture & Accessories · Baltimore Interior Designers & Decorators · Joplin Interior Designers & Decorators · Grand Island Interior Designers & Decorators · Oshkosh Interior Designers & Decorators · Eureka Interior Designers & Decorators · Hilo Interior Designers & Decorators · Magog Interior Designers & Decorators · Quincy Furniture & Accessories · Terre Haute Furniture & Accessories · Oklahoma City Furniture & Accessories · Brattleboro Furniture & Accessories
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
20 years ago
You did not say whether you staystitched the collar & neckline - if you did not, you may have stretched out the edge of the collar.

FWIW, collars don't use that much fabric - you might try a redo - & this time, stay stitch a hair away from the seamline - on the seam allowance side, of course.

& I agree about clipping the neckline S.A. - but not w/o staystitching.....

HTH
kathyinky
Original Author
20 years ago
Yep, I did staystitch the collar and neckline. I also clipped the neckline.

Though the collar exceeded the indicated length it actually came out quite nice!

(Note to self: Don't get too cocky, Kath, you haven't put elastic in the waist yet!)
salena
19 years ago
Could you have cut 'collar A' and 'front and back B' by mistake? (also clip the entire length of the collar in about 1/4", and be sure to mind the dot and slash marks)
Salena