How to Stitch a Collar

The collar of a shirt is its crowning glory. To get a professional look, the collar must be carefully cut, sewn and applied while being pressed each step of the way. Interfacing adds to the crispness, while seam grading and top stitching give the collar a neat, tailored look.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Assemble the collar. Sandwich the two collar pieces, right sides together with the interfacing on the back.

2. Pin the layers of the collars together by placing straight pins at right angles to the seam line. Set the pin into the two points of the collar with the end of the pin aligned with the point of the collar.

3. Start sewing at one neck edge using a 5/8-inch seam. Begin by backstitching to secure the stitches.

4. Sew along the edge of the collar. Slow down as you approach the collar point. Take slow, careful stitches, leaving the needle down in the very tip of the collar while maintaining the 5/8-inch seam allowance.

5. Make one diagonal stitch to facilitate the turning of the collar point. Lift the presser foot and turn the fabric while keeping the needle down. Lower the presser foot and continue stitching.

6. Stitch only to the center of the collar and not all the way around, which causes the collar to stretch. Backstitch a few stitches to secure the seam.

7. Turn the collar and repeat the process. Sew again to the center of the collar meeting the previous seamline.