DIY Faux Fur Collar

As I am always throwing my faux fur collars on over my coat to add a bit more glamour to a dull winter day, I thought it was high time to show you all how to make one (or a few...) for yourself! This is a super easy and rather quick little project, I'd say the hardest part is finding a pretty faux fur. 

Lucky for me my favorite fabric shop not only stocks lovely faux furs (lovely but pricey $$), they were also having a fur remnants sale last time I was in! Which means I got the lovely piece of faux ermine (or snow leopard? Lynx? who really knows) below for only $6! I knew that it was finally time to throw together this DIY tutorial for you all :)

You will need:

-1/3-1/2 yard faux fur

-Fabric for a lining

-Scissors

-Needle and thread

-Sewing machine

-Hook and eye or ribbon

You can totally make a curved collar pattern to trace for this, but usually I just draw on the back of my fur with a fabric marker. I make my collars all this shape or similar, sorta a half moon. This time the back is straighter as the piece of fur I got was only so wide. The more acute you make the crescent, the more it will lay nicely over your shoulders, but again, my piece here was only so wide. I recommend getting at least a 1/2 yard of faux fur for making a collar. With that much fabric you will have a lot left over to make matching cuffs if you'd like, trim a matching hat, or maybe make a muff! Notice the ends/front of the collar are where the fur faces down. Faux fur has a definite nap, the fur goes in one direction just like real fur. The nap means you want to be aware of which way the fur will fall on your collar.

When cutting faux fur, always cut from the back and try your best to only cut the ground fabric not the actual "fur" part of the fabric. The less fur you cut, the less messy your work area will be and nicer finish your collar will have.

As I am cutting faux fur I always run my fingers over the cut edge of both the piece and the remnant and pinch off the messy extra hairs. Better to collect them as you cut and throw them away before they get everywhere!

Lovely collar all ready to be lined!

I trace the shape of the collar onto some fabric for the lining, this time I used a spare piece of dupioni silk from my stash. Nearly anything will do, though thinner is better than something stiff.

Pin the right sides of the collars together, tucking the fur into the seam as much as you can. I try to fold and pinch the fur out of the way of the seam as it makes for less work later. Leave a 4-5 inch gap along one of the long edges so that after you sew you can turn the collar right side out.

When you have sewn around the edge (use a larger stitch length and a needle made for thick fabrics) and do turn the collar right side out, you will notice despite your best efforts while pinning some of the fur has gotten caught in the seam. Take a pin or needle and simply pull or flick the fur out from the seam where it is caught.

Now you still have the opening from when you turned the collar right side out. To make slip stitching this section easier, I use tape to hold the fur away from where I'll be sewing. I use longer (1/4 inch) stitches to close up the seam as it will not be seen or be put under any tension.

You're almost finished! Try on your collar and see where you would like a closure (if you want one at all). I added a hook and eye to this collar, but a few of the others I have made I added ribbons to the end to tie in a bow. You can also simply tack the collar onto a coat or sweater at this point if you'd prefer. I only have two coats that I wear regularly so I like being able to switch collars with ease for ultimate versatility.

Voila! You have finished making your new lovely faux fur collar! I plan on making a matching 40's faux fur tilt hat to match this new collar, so I will have that DIY for you all soon :)