How to add a pussy bow collar to any t-shirt [Tutorial]

The pussy bow collar. I love this look, and as you can see from the pics above, this type of collar can add a little something special to even the most basic of t-shirts.

We launched a gorgeous FREE hack pattern this week for anyone in our Facebook group that transforms our #108 girls dress pattern into a completely different look by adding a pussy bow collar and some capped sleeves. The tester pics are just lovely:

But when I was making this hack, it occurred to me that you could add this neckline to just about any top to make it a little more special.

To test that theory I started with a $3 basic girls tee from Kmart and love the results.

Little C tried it on for size, then ended up wearing it all day – she loves it.

The good news is, it is very easy. If you would like to make one for yourself, here is how you do it.

You will need:

Scissors
A piece of knit fabric 7cm long and approx 150cm wide (it is important that the fabric stretches in the longer of the 2 directions so that the neckline of your shirt can still stretch over your head)
Other crucial sewing stuff – sewing machine, pins etc.

How to do it:

Cut off the original neck-band of your t-shirt.
Carefully measure your neck opening. Be careful not to stretch the fabric as you do this.
To calculate the neck tie length multiply the measured length above by 0.9

e.g If your measured length was 31 cm:

31 x 0.9 = 27.9
27.9 will be the length of the part of the neck tie that you will attach to the neckline of your shirt.

In addition to this measurement you will need to decide on a length for your ties. I used 42cm for each tie – this worked really well for a size 6 t-shirt.

Cut your neck tie piece so it looks something like this. Make sure you mark the middle neck opening section.

Fold the neck tie in half width wise, with right sides facing, and serge/sew from each of the angled ends to where you have marked the center section as shown.

use a 1 cm (3/8″) seam allowance.

If sewing with a sewing machine, use a narrow zigzag stitch, or a straight stitch with stretch thread in your bobbin for these seams.

Turn your neck tie right side out and press well, pulling the seam allowance from the un-sewn portion in the middle out flat. As shown below.

Divide the un-sewn middle portion of the neck tie into 4 equal parts and mark with pins.
Divide the neck opening of the t-shirt into 4 equal parts and mark with pins (be sure to mark the center front and back).
With the t-shirt inside out, and the folded edge of the neck tie facing down, curl the
neck tie around as shown.

Slip the neck tie inside the neck opening of the t-shirt, align the raw edges and pin the corresponding marked points to each other.
Sew/serge around the raw edges attaching the neck tie to the neck opening. Ensure that you catch all three layers in the seam, and keep the tie ends well clear of the seam.
The neck opening is slightly longer than the corresponding portion of the neck tie so you will need to gently stretch the neck tie to match the neck opening. Be careful not to stretch the neck opening.
If sewing with a sewing machine, use a zigzag stitch for this seam.