Tutorial: How to Make a Peter Pan Collar
Here it is, folks! I’m sorry the photos are kinda blah. I’m thinking about painting my studio a lighter color to help with the darkness factor. I had to really brighten these up. I know I said to use a pencil in the instructions, but I used a thick marker so it would be easier to see for the photos. Feel free to ask any questions or point out inconsistencies in the comments. Thanks!
Tools Needed:
Pencil
Ruler
French Curve
Front and Back Pattern Pieces
Tape
Tracing Wheel
Paper
Scissors
1. Draw the seam allowance on the front and back neckline of your pattern pieces.
2. Tape the pieces together at the seamline. Put the piece on a large sheet of paper.
3. Using a tracing wheel, trace along the seam line and front and back lines (if your pattern peice is not cut on the fold, also mark the seam line and trace it). Mark Center Back and Center Front on the paper. Set your pattern pieces aside.
4. With a pencil, draw along the line you just traced. You’ve just drawn the neck seam line from front to back.
5. Square a line at center back. This means you put the ruler as shown and draw a line at least 1/2″ long. I did this one 1″ long. You do this so that there won’t be a dip at the center back.
6. For this example, I’ve made the collar 2″ wide. So now you mark at intervals 2″ from the neckline until you reach a few inches from the center front.
7. Using a French curve, mark the front part of the curve. It’s up to you whether or not you want the collar to meet or leave a space. In this example, I’ve made the collar meet by starting at the center front line.
8. Use the French curve to connect the to the rest of the collar. It may take a few tries to get it just right.
9. Your pattern piece should resemble this.
10. Fill in the collar seam line and add a seam allowance. I used 1/2″ for this example. If you’re more comfortable with the standard 5/8″ go with that. Remember you will be cutting away most of the seam allowance once you’ve sewn the collar. Do not add seam allowance to the center back!
11. Add the necessary markings to your pattern piece and cut it out.
Viola! Now you can make Peter Pan collars to your heart’s content.
October 31st, 2010 at 5:08 pm
If I don’t own a French curve, could I use a tiny bread plate, do you think?
October 31st, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Yes! You can use anything with a curve on it, from a can to a plate. French curves aren’t a necessity. They do make it easier, but improvising is always a great way to get it done in a pinch :)
November 1st, 2010 at 9:59 am
Good to know! Thanks!
November 4th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Great tutorial. I love me a Peter Pan collar and will be adding many to shirt and dress patterns I love. Thanks so much!
February 28th, 2012 at 8:09 am
Very helpful but could you tell me how to determine which direction the straight of the grain should be placed?
February 28th, 2012 at 8:12 am
Hi Lane, the grain is parallel to the center back.