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 Zieman shared 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 from Nancy’s Notions, leave a comment sharing your most common sewing challenge.
Happy Sewing,
Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.
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Gail Beam
Zippers and binding baby quilts are 2 of my most difficult sewing challenges.
Tammy W
My most common sewing challenge is understanding the pattern.
Joan Deaver
Getting the pattern prepared and cut out.
Carolyn Vickery
I received a blouse for Christmas and the first time I washed it the collar looked very strange. Examining it with a sewer’s eye I discovered that the interfacing wasn’t connected to the collar in several areas. I took it apart, put in interfacing, did the under-stitching and now it looks great.
Sandi Corlett
Although I’ve been sewing for longer than I care to admit, buttonholes are still something that I find challenging even with built in buttonhole stitches on my machine. Getting them all lined up can be frustrating.
Bonnye
My sewing challenge is finding enough time to do all the projects that I want to do.
Clovis
It depends on if I can read the pattern without having a video to see how something is done.
DebbieW
Getting started is my biggest challenge.
Amy S.
My most common challenge is getting the cuffs correct on long-sleeved shirts. Twice I’ve mistakenly put the cuffs on each sleeve backward on a shirt/blouse so that they couldn’t be buttoned easily. It is very difficult before the cuffs are sewn on to know which way the cuff will be oriented once it is sewn to the sleeve.
Susan Biles
My biggest challenge is sewing packets on blouses and shirts. They never come out quite right.
Susan
My biggest sewing challenge is getting the seam straight for zipper placement. I sometimes run into bunching of fabric as I sewing for zipper insertion. Of course, having the timeto sew can be a big challenge!
L Watson
I would have to say, the dreaded knits. I know I have been given tips, even by Nancy, but I still try to avoid it.
Kathryn Englebretsen
Zippers are my biggest challenge.
Diane L. Putzer
Zippers are a challenge.
Laura M
When I sew clothing, I still have to think long and hard to keep a consistent 5/8″ seam. I think this is because now that I sew lots of 1/4″ seams for quilts with the edge of the foot for guidance, that watching the 5/8″ seam without it is harder.
Candice C.
Today’s topic is my challenge! I have hated doing collars – especially getting them to meet properly in the front! Going to be printing these instructions and having them front and center on my next project!
Teri
Sewing with knits and getting correct fit is big challenge.
Noreen
Buttonholes are something I hate doing.
Gail K
Turning perfect corners ~ usually one of a pair will be beautiful and the other will be ridiculously awful. I’ve been sewing for decades and this remains a dreaded task, lol. I would love to own this book as I’m teaching my granddaughter to sew.
Carol
My biggest challenge is getting everything together, getting started and then having to stop to make dinner. I wish I had a large block of uninterrupted time to sew.
carol routh
Sewing with knits and selecting fabrics.
Helen
To set aside a block of time to complete a portion of the sewing project.
Rosie
My biggest challenge is sewing and fitting pants correctly.
Beth Sitler
I have trouble with hemmed jeans. The hemmed part likes to fold upward.
sylvia storey
love the method of folding on the stitched line and then sewing. It makes for very square corners that are easy to turn right wide out.
Bonnie
My biggest challenge is altering patterns to fit properly.
Rita Oglesby
My biggest challenge is getting the tension right so the stitches don’t pucker.
Marge Martin
One of my most common challenges is putting two button holes on the cuff of a sleeve. There always seems to be too much bulk.
Janet johnson
I don’t enjoy sewing cuffs on shirt sleeves. Maybe it’s because you have to do it twice.
Lorraine Alves
I wish I had know the wrapped-corner techniques years ago when I was sewing many tops and jackets. Nancy’s techniques simplify processes and make garments especially lovely.
Carole Conard
Thank you for the chance to win this book. It would be great for me because, it has been many many many years since I have tried to sew myself cloths and it will like being a beginner Again! Thank You
Amelia
Zippers! I’ve tried all kinds of “sure fire” methods and they never turn out nice and neat. Very frustrating. I keep hoping I’ll conquer them like I did the formerly dreaded button holes.
Carolyn Martin
Even after decades of sewing, zippers remain my greatest challenge! I would love any and all tips or tricks to more easily facilitate putting them in and making them lay perfectly.
Emily Hunter Boyd
Making or at least trying to make Buttonholes used to leave me in utter dispair until I lucked out acquireing a sewing machine with a buttonhole maker. Zppers were my downfall until I finally threw the installation instructions away and figured out a better way. Nancy’s instruction about replacing a zipper on a jacket? – pure genius!
Michelle Hall
fitting pants is my biggest sewing challenge
Mary
My biggest challenge is finding time and space to do all the projects I have in my stash at this time and all of the ones I have in mind to do.