Try Nancy’s Absolute Easiest Way to Sew Collars

The absolute easiest way to sew a collar by Nancy Zieman

Try Nancy’s Absolute Easiest Way to Sew Collars

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The absolute easiest way to sew a collar by Nancy Zieman

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 shares 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.

The absolute easiest way to sew a collar by Nancy Zieman

  • Grade the seam, trimming the under collar seam allowance narrower than the upper collar.

The absolute easiest way to sew a collar by Nancy Zieman

  • 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.

The absolute easiest way to sew a collar by Nancy Zieman

  • 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!

The absolute easiest way to sew a collar by Nancy Zieman

  • Stitch both collar front seams.
  • Grade the seam allowances, and angle cut the corners.

The absolute easiest way to sew a collar by Nancy Zieman

  • Turn the collar right side out and press. That’s it!

The absolute easiest way to sew a collar by Nancy Zieman

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
The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew by Sewing With Nancy Zieman

Watch The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew (Part One, Part Two, and Part Threeon Sewing With Nancy online.

For your chance to win a copy of The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew fromNancy’s Notions, leave a comment sharing your most common sewing challenge.

The Absolute Easiest Way to Sew by Sewing With Nancy Zieman

Happy Sewing,

Team Nancy Zieman

Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.

Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC

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48 Comments

  • Susan Meyer
    March 8, 2018

    I don’t like setting in flat sleeves. I almost always get a little pucker somewhere in the seam. I then have to rip it out and try again. It is so time consuming.

  • Karen Bresnahan
    March 8, 2018

    My most challenging sewing problem is getting peter pan collars even in the front. And inserting piping neatly and evenly.

  • Donna markle
    March 8, 2018

    Getting zippers to look neat and professional

  • Linda Erickson
    March 8, 2018

    This looks like a great collar technique! thanks

  • Max
    March 8, 2018

    My most challenging sewing problem is getting the total garment to look professional done, instead of part of the garment looking great.

  • Nancy
    March 8, 2018

    I have problems getting the zipper to be even at the top. Great tips on making a collar.

  • MonicaAD
    March 8, 2018

    A refresher in collars are always great for me … FIESTA 🙂

  • beth d.
    March 8, 2018

    I would love to put in collars like Nancy showed. They probably come out perfect.

  • Kelly Sas
    March 8, 2018

    I’m excited to try this “easiest” method for collars. I struggle with placing button holes evenly spaced and in line vertically on a garment.

  • Donna Fecteau
    March 8, 2018

    I have always been afraid of doing collars so I usually pick patterns without them. The other challenge is setting in sleeves.

  • Joyce Migliore
    March 8, 2018

    Easing fabric
    and sewing with piping.

  • Susan Clay
    March 8, 2018

    My granddaughter continuously asks me to make a dress for her. I am teaching myself to sew and so far have made quilts, aprons, and hooded towels…but no dresses. I really need some easy tips! Thank you.

  • Tracy Larocque
    March 8, 2018

    First of all I want to say thank you for carrying on with sending out emails and connecting with the people who really loved Nancy and miss her dearly,
    My biggest challenge in sewing is getting right sides together. I have been sewing for over 40 years and still make this mistake!

  • Joyce West
    March 8, 2018

    Getting the ease section of a set in sleeve neat and comfortable is one of my challenges.

  • Karen J
    March 8, 2018

    My biggest problem is getting the correct pieces of pants put together and sewing the seams in the right order. For some reason they never look right as I’m pinning them. Really miss Nancy and am glad her site is carrying on.

  • Anne Z
    March 8, 2018

    Hemming knits is difficult for me.

  • Ann Coombs
    March 8, 2018

    My biggest challenge is getting zippers to come out even at the top. Somehow, I always end up with one side WAY higher than the other. Thanks for keeping the site going. I know it’s what Nancy would have wanted. 🙂

  • Florence Dupuis
    March 8, 2018

    My biggest challenge is proper fitting.

  • Theresa Brooks
    March 8, 2018

    Fitting is my main problem!

  • Kathryn Englebretsen
    March 8, 2018

    My biggest challenge is buttonholes. I avoid making anything requiring buttonholes because I find them so difficult.

  • Clovis
    March 8, 2018

    Getting zippers to come out even.

  • Noreen
    March 8, 2018

    Sewing zippers has always been a challenge.

  • MaryEllen
    March 8, 2018

    Stitching the sleeve and the collar are my challenges. It does become quite frustrating for me especially if I haven’t sewn a garment in a while.

  • Amelia
    March 8, 2018

    I find sewing facings the most difficult. I never seem to get that polished look when I do them, they never “lay” exactly the way they should.

  • Kathe
    March 8, 2018

    This looks like a better way to get a neat looking collar. For Susan Meyer, if you can insert the sleeve before you sew the side seam you might have better luck in getting a nice smooth line.

  • Helen Stewart
    March 8, 2018

    I avoid patterns with collars as it seems hard to get a professional look, like I want! I’m sure Nancy’s book would have lots of good ideas.

  • brook
    March 8, 2018

    button holes – still do them but just struggle with alignment, etc.

  • Sheila H
    March 8, 2018

    My biggest challenge is achieving good fit on multiple body types from one pattern when creating costumes for community theater group

  • brook
    March 8, 2018

    have always struggled with buttons and buttonholes

  • Susan Spiers
    March 8, 2018

    Zippers! No matter how I try or what tips I use, it never looks the way I want it to look!

  • Corinne Shoulders
    March 8, 2018

    My biggest issue is finding time to sew.

  • Carol Skilling
    March 8, 2018

    I was so excited to get the info on the easy collar sewing, but I think I missed something; the outer collar isn’t sewn? Is it left open?

  • Sandra Lelleck
    March 8, 2018

    I have trouble making it look like it was made by a professional, fitting just right.

  • Patricia Wester
    March 8, 2018

    I’m always nervous about cutting buttonholes open. My machine makes lovely buttonholes and I use a Clover buttonhole cutter but sometimes I nick a thread and the buttonhole starts to come apart.

  • Edna Marks
    March 8, 2018

    Getting proper fit and zippers are my biggest problems

    • sandra
      March 19, 2018

      I find her book on fitting is absolutely the best. everyone should have one. I been sewing for 63 years, made my first dress at 12 yrs old. How to adjust the pattern to fit you is great in this book. thanks

  • Peggy V
    March 8, 2018

    Gathers are my biggest challenge. I would like to learn how to do this with my serger.

  • Debi
    March 8, 2018

    My most common sewing challenge is making even, professional looking button holes. I need a refresher, for sure.

  • Karen
    March 8, 2018

    My great challenge is easing in sleeves.

  • Jan H
    March 8, 2018

    Nancy always is able to make the most difficult sewing tasks easier. I am going to try her ideas on collars.

  • Gail Beam
    March 9, 2018

    I can hardly wait to try this method. Nancy’s tips and techniques were always the best.

  • Esther
    March 9, 2018

    My most common sewing challenge (headache) is definitely collars. Can never get the little devils to lay flat. Truthfully, I’d rather add a zipper to clothing than add a collar

  • Esther
    March 9, 2018

    My most common sewing challenge (headache) is definitely collars. Can never get the little devils to lay flat. Truthfully, I’d rather add a zipper to clothing than add a collar

  • Sandy Woerner
    March 9, 2018

    My HUGE challenge has been trying to copy my son’s jeans. He has Down’s syndrome and I found a site that makes jeans that have no zippers and no buttons and they dip down in the front since he has a huge belly. He loves them however they aren’t cheap. So I decided to try and copy a pattern to make them myself. It is more challenging that I thought it would be.

  • Kathryn Smotryski
    March 9, 2018

    I love learning “short-Cuts” to fashion sewing. After working for Manhattan Shirt years ago, I learned their way of doing collars but nice to see there are other ways.

  • Casey Maas
    March 9, 2018

    Binding. When I do a self binding, stitch in the ditch, the inside stitching is not straight. It looks terrible.

  • Carol
    March 12, 2018

    I am always challenged as to fit whether it’s ready made clothes or clothes sewn at home. Sure wish I didn’t have to adjust everything.

  • Darla E
    March 20, 2018

    My biggest challenge is getting the fit right on the upper body.

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