Laura has made this gorgeous Liberty Detachable Collar which is fully reversible. It’s got a lovely vintage style about it and I love the fact that it is two garments in one. Laura told me about the project below:
“I have never had any need to do the whole ‘Christmas jumper’ thing. Certainly no need for jumpers in December in Australia. ‘Christmas sunburn’ was more the thing, an attractive red and regret-tinged momento of what my Christmas Day outfit of choice did not cover. Ouch. However I must say that even if they were a thing Down Under, I probably maybe sort of most likely… would not have owned a Christmas jumper. Yes, I am THAT person, and indeed I have yet to buy one even though I have experienced 5 UK Christmases so far and plan on many more wintery Christmases in future. It is just that the thought of having an item in my closet that can only be worn very specific and short times of year is unappealing. So I guess my name is now Jumper Grinch, pleased to meet you.”
“All that background is to say that my approach to festive wearables is not strictly usual. If it can be worn year-round but pass as vaguely Christmassy during December, it’s a yes from me. This is why I have opted for a detachable, reversible collar for my festive make. Either side of the collar can be worn on top of my favourite year-round-never-let-me-down-never-to-be-replaced chunky cream knit jumper and be a pretty accessory most of the year- but! flip it to the red/green/multi coloured side, drop me next to a decorated tree and, voila! Instant festive associations made. I have chosen two fabrics from Liberty’s new ‘The Emporium’ quilting cotton collection to make this collar, only a fat quarter of each was needed. The still jolly but not holly-jolly blue fabric is ‘Kingly Sprig B’, I love its dusty light blue, simple pattern repeat, sweet little yellow flowers and even dots. The multi coloured Christmassy-only-by-association print is ‘Wild Bloom A’, this print features a variety of lush flowers including lilacs and roses on a navy background, it feels like old country decadence. Both prints come in two other colour ways and are equally worth admiring. In fact, so many fabrics from ‘The Emporium’ collection are absolutely lovely, it was really difficult choosing just two!”
“To attach the lace, I sewed it with the scolloped edges facing inwards onto the right side of one collar piece 1/4” away from the edge. Then, the two collar pieces are sewn right sides together with a 1/4” seam (tracing directly over the stitches that held the lace in place) and turned right side out so the pretty scolloped edge of lace is facing outwards and easily visible. The collar requires a good neat press to achieve crisp edges, ideally no part of the behind fabric should be viewable from the front side of the collar. No interfacing was used as Liberty quilting cotton has enough weight to is to sit correctly without. If making a similar collar out of Liberty Tana Lawn I would suggest using a lightweight interfacing on both sides to help it sit nicely.”
The resulting collar sits well on top of jumpers as well as dresses and both Liberty quilting cotton fabric sides suit other items in my wardrobe, I’m very pleased with how it turned out. A detachable, reversible collar for festive and non-festive times alike! You will catch me wearing the ‘Wild Blooms A’ side of the collar with a smile next to the fireside this Christmas. Well, if it even looks like ‘Wild Blooms A’ after being covered with a layer of powdered sugar from all the mince pies I plan on stuffing down. Hmm, on reflection maybe a detachable, reversible bib may have been more the thing… Guess I’d better get sewing again!
I hope you have all enjoyed a lovely Christmas break – I can’t wait to share more Liberty sewing projects with you in 2021.
