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MN2102 Banksia / Sewalongs

Banksia Sewalong: Drafting different collars

A lot of people have asked me whether it’s possible to draft a different collar on the Banksia top – of course!! And it’s so easy to change the existing collar pattern to something a little different. You can even leave the collar off completely if you want.

Should we get started?

There are really endless things you can do when adjusting a collar, but I’ve decided to show you two of my favourites.

POINTED FLAT COLLAR

I’m calling this a pointed flat collar, as I think that’s the name that will be most familiar to people – but to be honest, I think this is probably closer to a Chelsea collar.

Anyway, I really love this one – and if you’re one of those people who find peter pan collars a bit too “pretty pretty” – then this might be the one for you!

how to draft different collars for the Banksia Blouse // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryI think it’s easiest (and most accurate) to draft collars in the half, so the first thing I like to do is cut the collar in half.

how to draft different collars for the Banksia Blouse // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryDraw a straight line down the front of the collar as above. How steep you decide to make this line is up to you, but make sure you start from the very outside edge of the centre front as shown – that way you won’t need to alter the neckline at all, and won’t mess with the seam allowance.

how to draft different collars for the Banksia Blouse // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design Diary how to draft different collars for the Banksia Blouse // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryNow we need to blend the point into the curve of the collar – you could just draw a straight line but I think that looks too harsh and doesn’t sit as nicely. I prefer to draw a slight curve (it still looks pretty straight).

how to draft different collars for the Banksia Blouse // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryCut it out and you’re done!

FAUX SHAWL COLLAR

I’m calling this one a faux shawl collar because it gives the appearance of a shawl collar without actually being one. That was worded strangely but I think you know what I mean hehe. It should look quite similar to this one.

Once again we’re going to draft in the half. So cut the pattern in half down the centre.

how to draft different collars for the Banksia Blouse // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryStarting at the centre front again, I used a curve ruler to blend into the original collar.

how to draft different collars for the Banksia Blouse // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design Diary

Cut out and you’re ready to go!

OTHER IDEAS

  • I love the idea of adding piping or trim to the outer edge of the collar like this top.
  • I think it would be really cute to layer two collars. I adore this top – and I think if you cut a pointed collar as above, and then draft a smaller one and layered it on top it would look amazing!
  • Obviously, I love scalloped edge collars – and we have a tutorial for one right here!

LOOKING FOR MORE BANKSIA POSTS?

Some other tutorials you might like to check out:

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About Author

Holly writes part time for the Megan Nielsen blog– sewing like crazy, creating tutorials and sewalongs. She has been sewing since she was a little girl, and has her degree in apparel design. Now she’s a stay at home mama, and spends all her free nap times at her sewing machine.

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Agneta
10 years ago

Ah… I’m still stuck in choosing which fabric I’m gonna use! And now it got even more difficult with all the collars. I really like all the different collars, especially the beaded one and the one Casey made with tutorial. what to do what to do?!
But if making a beaded one, should one make it so it snaps on in a way on the blouse? (I guess it stayes on much better + handy for taking it off when washing the blouse..)

/Agneta

Meg
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Meg
10 years ago
Reply to  Agneta

Hi Agneta!!

Oh i know just what you mean! Isn’t fabric choice the hardest part??
Anyway, i think making a beaded one that is removable is a fantastic idea! i wish i’d thought of it! It would definitely make washing easier – and also give you two tops in one :) genius!

meg XOXO

maddie
10 years ago

collars, collars, and collars. Your tutorial was great, as per usual, but I just wanted to chime in and say why I like collars – they frame the face so well. Any face, round, square, circle, or heart shaped, looks great it a collar. Don’t you agree?

Meg
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Meg
10 years ago
Reply to  maddie

You are so sweet – I totally agree honey!! I think a nice collar totally finished a top off :)

Ginger
10 years ago

Oh, but how could anybody not like the Peter Pan collar! It’s just so cute! :)

Meg
Admin
Meg
10 years ago
Reply to  Ginger

LOL i know that is totally my opinion too – but then again i am soooo peter pan collar obsessed, that my opinion is pretty much worthless hehe

Lynn
10 years ago

I ran out of fabric, so I’m making a collarless version! I hope you include how to finish the top in a later post :)

Meg
Admin
Meg
10 years ago
Reply to  Lynn

Hi Lynn!!

Oh don’t you hate it when that happens?! Though a collarless version will be great too! We will definitely have a tutorial for finishing a collarless version – it will be up next week!! XOXO

Vernelle
10 years ago

Thanks for the tip. These collar options and easy to follow instructions look like they should work with just about any pattern. Think I’ll give it a try on one of my favorite jacket patterns.

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[…] & trace it out on the felt. (If you don’t like the peter pan style, try a scallop or make your own style). I overlapped the two sides of the collar so they would meet in the middle and then extended the […]

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[…] Drafting an alternate collar (pointed/chelsea-ish) […]

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[…] Drafting an alternate collar (Faux shawl) […]