Sewing Collars & Collar Cuff Sets

A collar changes a garment more than almost any other detail. Swap a plain neckline for an embroidered or lace one and the whole thing reads differently, which is why detachable collars keep coming back into fashion. Buying them ready-made saves the fiddliest part of the sewing, and it lets you try a look before committing a whole project to it.

Most of what's here is decorative rather than structural. Embroidered cotton collars in white, ivory and cream are the classic option and suit blouses, shirt dresses and children's clothes. Lace and organza collars are lighter and more transparent, so they sit well over a contrasting fabric. Austrian appliqué styles have a raised, denser embroidery for something more formal. Beaded mesh and sequin collars are the eveningwear end of the range. Peter Pan shapes give the rounded, flat collar that sits neatly on a scoop or round neckline.

Sewing one in, or wearing it loose

There are three ways to use a collar like this. You can sew it into a neckline seam as the pattern intends, which gives the most finished result. You can slipstitch or tack it to the outside of a finished garment, which is reversible and means one collar can move between several tops. Or you can leave it detachable altogether and wear it over a jumper or a plain dress, which is how most of the vintage-inspired styles were designed to be worn in the first place.

Rib knit collar and cuff sets

The rib knit sets are a different job. They're the stretchy trims used on bomber jackets, polo shirts and sweatshirt necklines, sold as a matched collar and cuff pair so the whole garment reads as one piece. They're stitched in with a stretch stitch or an overlocker, slightly stretched as you sew so they pull the edge in neatly.

Fitting and care

Collars are made to a set size, so check the measurements on the product page against your neckline before ordering, particularly for a child's garment. Sizes aren't adjustable, though a collar that's slightly small can often be worn as an open, spread style rather than meeting at the front. Hand wash gently and dry flat unless the care label states otherwise, since embroidery, beading and appliqué don't take machine agitation well. Press from the wrong side over a towel so the raised work isn't flattened. For the rest of the trims and finishing pieces, see our haberdashery and sewing supplies.