I’m looking for patterns or tips on creating a variation of the mandarin collar. Has anyone seen a pattern where the collar lays on the collarbone/shoulder rather than standing up on the neck? The upper edge of the collar on this variation lays where the lower edge of the standard mandarin collar is joined to the neckline. This creates an attractive nearly diamond shaped opening in front when the garment is left open.
I’m sure I could make the changes to the Vogue pattern for a jacket I have, but if one exists already, it would save me the aggravation. Sandra Betzina gives very clear instructions on HGTV on lowering a mandarin collar:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_sewing_necks_shoulders/article/0,1789,HGTV_3329_1390940,00.html
Replies
Here I am, replying to myself, in case anyone can learn from my experience.
I used a standard mandarin collar pattern, and lowered it 1", then drafted a new longer collar. In the end, I feel I should have left the back of the neck the same and gradually lowered around toward the front. I shortened the back at the shoulders to lift the neckline back up and recut the collar--again--to fit.
I'm happy with the results, but should have gone with my first instinct to leave the back alone!
Becks
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