How to sew a Peter Pan collar | Professional Finish
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How to sew a Peter Pan collar | Professional finish
A Peter Pan collar adds a charming, classic detail to any garment. This tutorial shows you how to sew a neat, structured collar finished with bias tape — a method that gives clean edges, perfect support, and a polished neckline every time.
Materials needed
- Matching thread
- Interfacing
- Bias tape
- Scissors
- Iron
- Pins or clips
Step-by-step instructions
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Apply interfacing
Fuse interfacing to the collar pieces to add structure and stability. This is what allows the collar to hold its shape beautifully after sewing and wearing — skipping this step results in a collar that droops or loses its form over time.
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Assemble the two pieces
Place the two collar pieces right sides together and stitch all the way around, leaving the neckline edge open. This open edge is what allows you to attach the collar to the garment in a later step.
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Clip and turn
Clip the seam allowances around the curves to reduce bulk and allow the edges to lie flat. Turn the collar right side out and press carefully for crisp, smooth edges. Repeat the same process for the other half of the collar if your design has two sections.
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Join the two collar pieces
Connect both collar sections together at the centre front before attaching the collar to the neckline. Check that both halves are symmetrical and sit at the same level before sewing.
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Attach to the neckline and bias tape
Place the collar on the wrong side of the garment, aligning it with the neckline. At the same time, position the bias tape right sides together along the neckline edge over the collar. Pin all layers carefully all the way around, then sew slowly and precisely following the curve of the neckline.
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Finish the bias tape
Fold the bias tape over the seam allowance, turning it toward the inside of the garment. Press neatly, then stitch along the inner edge to secure it in place — this final stitch gives the neckline a clean, professional finish with no raw edges visible.
Pro tip
Press after every single step for sharp, smooth results — this is especially important on the curved edges of a Peter Pan collar. Using a tailor’s ham when pressing helps shape the collar correctly and prevents wrinkles on the curves that a flat ironing board can’t reach.
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