DIY: Black Collar Fashion

I have a couple of bold collar "statement pieces" made years ago from costume work, however they aren't as casual as I'd like them to be. I thought this was the perfect moment to show you a way of creating your very own collar treatment, and in leather form, because I love working with leather just as much as lace, but that's a whole other story!

I designed several versions, and since there are many of you who have recently requested a few more simple sewing DIY's here's an easy version of my leather collar piece below.


Materials:
Leather
Metal Snaps (3)
Metal piece as trim 
Measuring tape
Scissors
Sewing machine 
Awl (optional)
Pins
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Measure collar from shirt or create a pattern. Either way is painless, however by saving time you can simply use a blouse or shirt as an outline.

After deciding on the shape of your collar, mark and cut the leather. Make certain to follow the neck-curve, because your pattern will not be a straight line. You may create a piece with or without a collar stand. This version is done without a stand for my style versatility, and there’s hardly any sewing required. Of course, you may be prompted to use an ready-made collar with a stand from an old shirt as well!  

For stability cut interfusing, and adhere it to the collar piece by steam (ironing) or fabric bonding glue. Press flat. *This will be the same shape of your collar, yet slightly smaller than your collar piece from the top edge.

Fold in the top edge of the collar and topstitch 1/8” (from right side toward wrong side), with the starting point approx. 5cm/2in.+/- away from the front end of the collar. With chalk or an awl mark placement for snaps, I opted to put them on the top part of my collar. Insert snap-tops: one on each side on the face side of the fabric.

Put the collar on, measuring the distance between each snap and cut one strip of fabric/ neck strip (+ with interfusing) that covers this distance measurement + desired width. This measurement will depend on how you want your collar to look, i.e., having a more open or closed appeal, and/or how your snaps are initially placed. My neck strip is approx. 3”L X .625”W.

Add the snap-bottoms (snap #1 and #2) to each side of the neck strip, leaving space in the center for your trim. Add a new snap-bottom (snap #3) to the center of the neck strip. For my trim I cut and used a metal filigree design. Glue the snap-top (snap #3) to your trim. Let dry.

With this snap technique I am able to change my collar by using other trims I've made ... if you want to use ribbon instead of snaps that's even easier! I also decided to make a second collar in a different style using shantung silk, old chain necklaces, and a button trim in black and white. 

 

Mission complete! Now you have a new leather collar statement piece!

Stay tuned for more DIY's of all levels soon! Enjoy!