Understitching

 

 To get a professional looking collar, it is a good idea to understitch the seams.

 

Step 1: Sew the top edge of the collar with 1/4" seam allowance (or whatever seam allowance the pattern indicates). Open the collar flat, with the seam allowances facing up, press the seam allowance toward the under collar and edgestitch through all layers (sketch 1a).

Step 2: Fold the collar with right sides together, the sew the ends (sketch 2a). Clip the corners and turn right sides out.

The top collar should automatically roll over the edge of the under collar (sketch 2b).

Note: This technique works beautifully on a curved collar. It also very useful on center front plackets, armholes, facings and cuffs.

Congratulations, you just learned another new sewing technique!

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