Hot Under the Collar : DIY Fancy Collars

Collars & neck accessories are on trend right now... actually, they have been for quite some time and I just love the extra detail they add to a shirt or outfit. So fun for Fall. In 2008 I made a little black lace collar {seen below on the red shirt} and listed it for sale on Etsy. In fact, I made a few... but 2008 was a bit too soon for everyone to accept the fancy collar trend and they didn't sell. But now, a few years later, layered collars, collar statement necklaces, bow ties, ribbons, tassels, feathers, you name it, are adorning necks around the globe. Here are some fun ideas to add to your button down shirts or dresses to give them that extra punch of glamour and modernity. I've used lace, doilies, and feathers for this DIY but the options are limitless really.





* Scissors
* Needle & Thread
* Ribbons {and a lighter to singe the ends}
* Various notions or trim: lace, feathers, doilies, tassels, beads, appliques, fur... whatever you can think of.






* Using about 17" of feather trim {or measure your neck with a button down on}...



* Singe ends of satin ribbon with a lighter to keep them from fraying and stitch on either end of your feather trim. If you're going to wear it around your neck alone, instead of under a shirt collar, you may want to line the entire trim edge with your satin ribbon. Since mine will not be showing, I'm not too concerned with what the edge will look like.



If you'd prefer not to have a bow tie in the center you can measure more precisely and use velcro, a snap or a hook, but I like the bow tie effect. A ribbon with a wider width would be cute as well. {seen around a vintage dress}









* You'll need two doilies for this unless you and your neck are tiny.



* Carefully cut out the centers {I'm not worried about fraying or unraveling as this look is a little more vintage-cowgirl-inspired - with a little Sister Wife thrown in for good measure ;} {Make earrings with the inner circles}



* Cut open.



* Spread/stretch it out as much as you can.



* Overlap the ends to create a nice circle. Pin and try on around your shirt collar for length then stitch together.



* Stitch your ribbon to either end. Again, if your edges are going to show, stitch your ribbon along the entire edge of the doilies by folding it over. I used the selvage of some vintage lace for my ribbon on this one.



* Vintage Wrangler denim shirt from Etsy shop 86 Vintage who seriously has AMAZINGLY COOL vintage items in their shop. LIKE AMAZING.






* Cut about 13-15" of lace and stitch your ribbons to the ends. Make your ribbons as long or short or wide or thin as you like.

Have Fun!