Fancy Pet Collar Sewing Tutorial

Get the FREE PATTERN here. See the video here, or scroll to the bottom of the tutorial.

This pattern does not come with printable instructions. These are the instructions and there is a video at the bottom of this page.

Materials:

Some fabric for the collar (a fat quarter will suffice for most sizes. The larger sizes require slightly more. Print the pattern and use your best judgement. Use of scraps is highly recommended.)

One small piece of hook and loop tape (both the stiff and soft sides, cut to about 1.5 in or longer, to your desired length.) Or one snap.

Sew a collar and bow tie, simple and easy tutorial. You will need a small bit of fabric and some hook and loop tape (or a snap).

Procedure:

Print and cut the pattern. The printer does not require any special adjustments. For best results, print the pattern as actual size.

Upper Collar:

Be sure to cut pieces on the fold. Unfold the upper collar and place right sides together. Sew three sides with a straight stitch. The seam allowance does not matter much, but I use 1/4 to 5/8 inch.

Clip the points for a crisp collar point.

Turn the upper collar right side out and press well with a steamy iron.

Lower Collar:

Unfold both pieces and press well.

Fold the pieces in half lengthwise and press well. Arrange so the folded edge of the strip is facing down (toward you) and the open edge is facing up (away from you).

Place upper collar on one of the lower collar strips. Adjust so there is a tab of at least an inch from one side. Pin. Place the second lower collar strip on top (folded edge toward you). The upper collar will be sandwiched in between. Sew all three layers together using a seam allowance of 1/4-5/8 inch; your preference.

On one side, place a strip of hook and loop tape about 1.5 inches from the edge of the collar. If the tape is connected too close to the edge, the collar will not lay down. Give it a little space here. Sew the tape into place.

Place the matching piece of hook and loop tape to the tab on the other side of the collar. Be sure to fold the collar and adjust placement as needed for proper fit. You may wish to shorten the tab end. Now is the time to do this. Sew the hook and loop tape to the tab side. Review the picture below for proper placement!

Fold the tab ends so the tape is on the inside and sew the ends. Trim the points and turn right side out. Press well.

Sew the bottom of the collar closed with a top stitch, close to the edge. I used contrasting thread for visibility here.

For the Bow Tie:

Cut the pattern as directed on the fold. Place the two pieces, right sides facing, and sew the perimeter, leaving a small opening to turn. Use a seam allowance of about 1/4 inch; double-checking to make sure the seam allowance is sufficient enough to prevent splitting when turned.

Trim the points and slash the curves for crisp tie edges. Turn the bow tie right side out and press well with a steamy iron. You may wish to hand sew closed the opening on the tie, but it isn’t necessary, especially if it is particularly small. I find a crochet hook to be helpful for turning the smaller ties. It can be a challenge, but it is doable!

Be patient and make sure to sew with a seam allowance of about 1/4″, double check before turning to ensure there is a sufficient seam allowance to prevent seam-splitting.

Tie the bow as directed in the video and hand sew to the collar in the desired location.

With a snap:

Snaps are easy to attach to collars (easier than hook and loop tape) with a snap plier. Be sure to properly measure your pet’s neck to assure a comfortable fit.

Trim the end of the lower collar to about an inch on either side of the upper collar. Sew the collar sandwich together on three sides. Turn, press and topstitch the bottom of the collar, just as for the hook and loop tape version.

Attach a snap to one side, making sure the right side of the project will be facing outwards.

Fold the collar together for placement of the top snap. Attach snap in place using snap pliers. I like the look of a pearl snap, but there are a variety of styles on the market.