Try Nancy’s Absolute Easiest Way to Sew Collars
We are going to make a rather bold statement: Collars are so easy to sew that even a first time stitcher will have success. That kind of statement is out of character for us, but it’s true. Let us show you . . .
The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew Collars
In the second episode of this Sewing With Nancy series and companion book, Nancy shares her favorite absolute easiest way to sew techniques. The collar being Nancy’s signature speedy sewing tip. Here goes!
- Interface the collars. Cut out two collar shapes from lightweight fusible interfacing and fuse one to the wrong side of each collar. One of our favorite fusible interfacings is Pellon’s Sof Shape.
- Meet collars right sides together. Stitch the outer collar seam.
- Grade the seam, trimming the under collar seam allowance narrower than the upper collar.
- Press the seam flat; then press toward the under collar.
- Understitch, stitching the seam allowance to the under collar. We like to use a multizigzag. Or, you could use a straight stitch.
- Fold the collar along the first stitching line, right sides together. Meet the collar front edges. Notice the outer collar seam allowance is already graded (trimmed) and completely understitched. This wrapped-corner sewing technique is what makes it the absolute easiest way to sew collars!
- Stitch both collar front seams.
- Grade the seam allowances, and angle cut the corners.
- Turn the collar right side out and press. That’s it!
All of Nancy’s easiest sewing tips are in one book.
The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew chapters include:
- Sewing Notions
- Sewing Machine Confidence
- Serger Spotlight
- Patterns
- Fabric Facts
- Sewing Basics
- Beyond the Basics
Watch The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew (Part One, Part Two, and Part Three) on Sewing With Nancy online.
For your chance to win a copy of The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew fromNancy’s Notions, leave a comment sharing your most common sewing challenge.
Happy Sewing,
Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.
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Susan Meyer
I don’t like setting in flat sleeves. I almost always get a little pucker somewhere in the seam. I then have to rip it out and try again. It is so time consuming.
Karen Bresnahan
My most challenging sewing problem is getting peter pan collars even in the front. And inserting piping neatly and evenly.
Donna markle
Getting zippers to look neat and professional
Linda Erickson
This looks like a great collar technique! thanks
Max
My most challenging sewing problem is getting the total garment to look professional done, instead of part of the garment looking great.
Nancy
I have problems getting the zipper to be even at the top. Great tips on making a collar.
MonicaAD
A refresher in collars are always great for me … FIESTA 🙂
beth d.
I would love to put in collars like Nancy showed. They probably come out perfect.
Kelly Sas
I’m excited to try this “easiest” method for collars. I struggle with placing button holes evenly spaced and in line vertically on a garment.
Donna Fecteau
I have always been afraid of doing collars so I usually pick patterns without them. The other challenge is setting in sleeves.
Joyce Migliore
Easing fabric
and sewing with piping.
Susan Clay
My granddaughter continuously asks me to make a dress for her. I am teaching myself to sew and so far have made quilts, aprons, and hooded towels…but no dresses. I really need some easy tips! Thank you.
Tracy Larocque
First of all I want to say thank you for carrying on with sending out emails and connecting with the people who really loved Nancy and miss her dearly,
My biggest challenge in sewing is getting right sides together. I have been sewing for over 40 years and still make this mistake!
Joyce West
Getting the ease section of a set in sleeve neat and comfortable is one of my challenges.
Karen J
My biggest problem is getting the correct pieces of pants put together and sewing the seams in the right order. For some reason they never look right as I’m pinning them. Really miss Nancy and am glad her site is carrying on.
Anne Z
Hemming knits is difficult for me.
Ann Coombs
My biggest challenge is getting zippers to come out even at the top. Somehow, I always end up with one side WAY higher than the other. Thanks for keeping the site going. I know it’s what Nancy would have wanted. 🙂
Florence Dupuis
My biggest challenge is proper fitting.
Theresa Brooks
Fitting is my main problem!
Kathryn Englebretsen
My biggest challenge is buttonholes. I avoid making anything requiring buttonholes because I find them so difficult.
Clovis
Getting zippers to come out even.
Noreen
Sewing zippers has always been a challenge.
MaryEllen
Stitching the sleeve and the collar are my challenges. It does become quite frustrating for me especially if I haven’t sewn a garment in a while.
Amelia
I find sewing facings the most difficult. I never seem to get that polished look when I do them, they never “lay” exactly the way they should.
Kathe
This looks like a better way to get a neat looking collar. For Susan Meyer, if you can insert the sleeve before you sew the side seam you might have better luck in getting a nice smooth line.
Helen Stewart
I avoid patterns with collars as it seems hard to get a professional look, like I want! I’m sure Nancy’s book would have lots of good ideas.
brook
button holes – still do them but just struggle with alignment, etc.
Sheila H
My biggest challenge is achieving good fit on multiple body types from one pattern when creating costumes for community theater group
brook
have always struggled with buttons and buttonholes
Susan Spiers
Zippers! No matter how I try or what tips I use, it never looks the way I want it to look!
Corinne Shoulders
My biggest issue is finding time to sew.
Carol Skilling
I was so excited to get the info on the easy collar sewing, but I think I missed something; the outer collar isn’t sewn? Is it left open?
Sandra Lelleck
I have trouble making it look like it was made by a professional, fitting just right.
Patricia Wester
I’m always nervous about cutting buttonholes open. My machine makes lovely buttonholes and I use a Clover buttonhole cutter but sometimes I nick a thread and the buttonhole starts to come apart.
Edna Marks
Getting proper fit and zippers are my biggest problems
sandra
I find her book on fitting is absolutely the best. everyone should have one. I been sewing for 63 years, made my first dress at 12 yrs old. How to adjust the pattern to fit you is great in this book. thanks
Peggy V
Gathers are my biggest challenge. I would like to learn how to do this with my serger.
Debi
My most common sewing challenge is making even, professional looking button holes. I need a refresher, for sure.
Karen
My great challenge is easing in sleeves.
Jan H
Nancy always is able to make the most difficult sewing tasks easier. I am going to try her ideas on collars.
Gail Beam
I can hardly wait to try this method. Nancy’s tips and techniques were always the best.
Esther
My most common sewing challenge (headache) is definitely collars. Can never get the little devils to lay flat. Truthfully, I’d rather add a zipper to clothing than add a collar
Esther
My most common sewing challenge (headache) is definitely collars. Can never get the little devils to lay flat. Truthfully, I’d rather add a zipper to clothing than add a collar
Sandy Woerner
My HUGE challenge has been trying to copy my son’s jeans. He has Down’s syndrome and I found a site that makes jeans that have no zippers and no buttons and they dip down in the front since he has a huge belly. He loves them however they aren’t cheap. So I decided to try and copy a pattern to make them myself. It is more challenging that I thought it would be.
Kathryn Smotryski
I love learning “short-Cuts” to fashion sewing. After working for Manhattan Shirt years ago, I learned their way of doing collars but nice to see there are other ways.
Casey Maas
Binding. When I do a self binding, stitch in the ditch, the inside stitching is not straight. It looks terrible.
Carol
I am always challenged as to fit whether it’s ready made clothes or clothes sewn at home. Sure wish I didn’t have to adjust everything.
Darla E
My biggest challenge is getting the fit right on the upper body.