Drafting a Peter Pan Collar, Part Three!

{Click here to watch the video on YouTube.}

You didn't think I forgot about this, did you? Here it is, the third and final part in this video series on how to draft your own Peter Pan collar for a blouse. (I used the Sencha blouse, but this can work for anything - dresses included!) Make sure you start with part one and part two if you're just tuning in. And read on here for construction tips!

After you finish this process, you'll be ready to cut out your fabric! If you need visual help on constructing your collar (and couldn't we all use a little extra assistance?), consult a good sewing reference. My favorite, a 70s edition of the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing, has fantastic instructions for sewing this type of collar.

But the gist of the construction is this:

1. Sew the under collar to the upper collar sections (right sides together).
2. Notch, grade, and trim the seam allowances.
3. Turn right side out and press. Make sure the seam of the collar falls on the underside, so it's not visible from the top.
   
4. Baste the collar pieces to the right side of your blouse at the neckline.
5. Construct your facing unit and baste, right sides together, to the neckline (on top of the collar).
6. Stitch around the neckline, through all thicknesses.
7. Notch, grade, and trim the neckline seam allowances.
8. Turn the facing unit to the inside of the blouse.
9. Understitch the facing unit.
10. Tack the facings at the seams.
    

And, as always, leave any questions in the comments!

P.S. Have any requests for the topic of my next video series? Please let me know here!

Drafting a Peter Pan Collar, Part Two!

{Click here to watch video on YouTube}

Okay, we're back with part two in this vlog series on drafting your own Peter Pan collar! There will be one more short part in this set. I suppose that probably seems like a lot to make one little pattern piece, huh? It's not hard; it just takes a little while to explain and I promise you'll love the results!

Also, can I just say that YouTube is really messing with my self-image? Why, oh why, is the still for this video a picture of my back with my bra lines showing so unattractively? I swear they did it on purpose. Anyway, I promise you won't have to spend too much time looking at my back, but it was kind of hard to avoid. Update: Oh, I fixed it! Hurrah!

Anyway, let me know if you have any questions!

Update #2: Here's the link to buy Swedish tracing paper.

Drafting a Peter Pan Collar, Part One!

{Click here to watch video on YouTube}

Hey, friends! As promised, here is part one of my video tutorial on making a Peter Pan collar for a blouse, like the one I wore here. (The blouse pattern I'm using is Colette Patterns Sencha.) In this first installment, I give a little introduction on the process (including what tools you'll need) and then show you how to prep your pattern pieces. I hope you enjoy it!

The updated edition of the book I mentioned is Make Your Own Dress Patterns by Adele P. Margolis. I have an earlier edition of this book, and I can't recommend it highly enough!

Check back for the next part tomorrow!

Sencha + Jenny = True Love Forever

Ah, love. We already know that pencil skirts and blouses go together like peanut butter and jelly. Throw in some suspenders and a Peter Pan collar and that's a recipe for awesomeness, in my opinion.

This skirt is BurdaStyle's Jenny skirt, and I spent a lot of time fitting it - to my actual measurements, no less! I started by cutting a 44 in the hips and a 42 in the waist, and ended up taking it in more in the waist and upper hip. (Yeah, okay, I'm a pear. FINE.) I like my skirts below the knee, and I had to add an extra three inches to this pattern to get it there. (Seriously, skirts are getting shorter every day, aren't they?!) I also changed the waistband layout. The pattern had it cut on the bias, and then stretched to fit the skirt pieces. I didn't really like the idea of having to stretch out the fabric to get it to fit, so I cut it on the straight grain instead. This meant that the waistband needed to be just a little bigger, since it wouldn't be stretched on the bias. So I made sure that the seams lined up as I was checking the pattern. Anyway, I'm so pleased with the fit of the skirt and I know I'll be making this pattern again and again. One of my favorite things about it is that it tapers in at the knee, creating a super curvy silhouette.

The fabric I used is a black cotton stretch sateen, and I lined it with a hot pink stretch poly lining fabric.

The blouse, made from Colette Pattern's Sencha, is in a rayon polka dot print. I drafted the Peter Pan collar myself. Tutorial is on its way!

I crossed the skirt suspenders in the back for extra cuteness (and so they'd stay up).

Suspenders are handy for tucking your thumbs into. Also: behold my lime green pumps! (I finally got Jeff to understand the importance of getting the shoes in the pictures.)

Anyway, I give both these patterns a big thumbs up! If you're looking for basic retro-style separates that you can personalize, these definitely fit the bill.