The Peter Pan Collar

Somehow I got the job of making Peter Pan collars to put on a bunch of dresses for my dance company's debut concert. I'd never made a collar of any sort. But like all 21st century women, I resorted to Pinterest for inspiration and a tutorial or two. 

Source: chicnova.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: sheinside.com via Miaka on Pinterest

This next one is almost a spitting image of a dress we were going to buy at Forever 21, but we didn't act quick enough, so they were sold out in stores and online... bah humbug.

Source: maiedae.blogspot.com via Megsy-Jane on Pinterest

We were going for a vintage housewife/maid vibe. In the dance piece we'd be "cleaning' with rags, "sweeping," and wearing aprons. I ended up just making up the collars as I went along. I cut out my own template, and traced it onto white fabric and interfacing. I ironed the interfacing to the inside of the fabric. For each dress, I needed 4 pieces of white fabric cut a little wider than 2 pieces of interfacing, because I would end up sewing it inside-out, then turning it rightside-out. Follow? 

Once it was turned right side out, I sewed a re-enforcement stitch along the top of the collar and where it would hit the shoulder. Then, I sewed it to the actual dress in two spots- at the shoulder and in the center where the two collar pieces met each other. Because it was a costume, we opted out of having it go full circle around the neck.

Forgive our horrid backstage area. I had someone snap these shots as I was rushing to the stage. 

You can see we added some accessories. We each had crisp white "rags." I made aprons with heart pockets and ball fringe:

I also spruced up some brooms. I thought I had an "after" shot of them, but this is actually the "before" shot. Go figure. I painted the handles various shades of olive, cream and tan, added some brown ribbon where the broom meets the handle, and spray painted the broom portion in golds and silvers, just to give it a glisten under the stage lights. 

The piece was such a hit, that we've actually been asked to perform it again in May for our students' year end recital! It's to this song called "I Don't Care." I don't know the artist. (Don't ask... and don't give me tips on how I should go about finding the artist either. Me and 5 other people have all tried.)

Oh, and because Ivy wanted an apron like mommy's, of course I made her one:

Aloha,

Rebecca