How to Cut the Neckband of a Shirt to Make a Pattern

If you have an old worn-out shirt with a collar that you really like, you can use the old collar to make a pattern for a new one. This works best for the collar of a button-down shirt or blouse, whether it’s a pointed collar, a rounded Peter Pan collar or an unusual shape. (For T-shirt neckbands, it’s easiest to buy a new ribbed knit collar from a fabric store.) You can use the old shirt collar as a pattern by placing it directly on the fabric and cutting around it or by placing it on a piece of paper and tracing around it. Either way, you’ll need to add 5/8 inch around all the edges of each part of the collar for seam allowance.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Old shirt with a collar
• Scissors
• Iron (optional)
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Large paper or piece of fabric
• Pencil or straight pins

1. Cut the collar off the shirt just below the neckband.

2. Iron the collar flat if needed.

3. Cut the upper part of the collar (the decorative part) from the lower part of the collar (the neckband that attaches it to the shirt) along the seam.

4. Lay the upper part of the collar on a large piece of paper or the right side of a piece of fabric.

5. Measure 5/8 inch from the edge of the collar to mark the cutting line for the collar pattern. Use a pencil to mark this distance on the paper, or use a pin to mark it on the fabric.

6. Repeat step 5 all the way around the collar, so that the pencil or pin markings for the collar pattern are 5/8 inch larger than the old collar all the way around.

7. Cut out the paper pattern or fabric.

8. Repeat steps 4 through 7 for the neckband (or lower part of the collar).

Tips & Warnings

• If you are new to sewing, you may want to purchase a shirt pattern with a collar so that you’ll have exact pieces and sewing instructions to follow.
• Remember that you’ll need to cut 2 pieces of fabric for each part of the collar.
• You may need to adjust the collar and neckband patterns to fit the neck opening of the new shirt.
• Only cut up a shirt that you are not planning to wear again.