Clown Costuming

Posted by Mary Welling-Bonney Oct 16, 2007

I have the greatest job. I get e-mails everyday from the most interesting people. I recently received an e-mail asking about making the ruffled collar. This reader was even kind enough to send me a link so I could see pictures of her beautiful dog. So here goes.

Making the Ruffled Collar

It is really going to depend on the size of your dog. You can judge easily as you go. The trick is to make it dense. If you try to use less fabric, it will look wilty.

Materials Needed:

• Broadcloth -1 yard
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine
• Bias Tape
• Pencil

Cut the broadcloth into strips. The strips should be about 4" in width for a small dog, 6" in width for a medium dog, and 8" for a very large dog. Once all of the strips are cut, sew them end to end. Hem one side of the strip.

Measure how much bias tape you will need by tying around the dogs neck and into a bow. Add 2" to this measurement just to be on the safe side. You can always adjust the measurement later.

Mark on the bias tape where the ends meet before tying the bow. Open the tape and lay the unhemmed end in the fold. Stitch about an inch just to hold it in place. Now gather up the next three inches of stripping on the unhemmed side and bunch it up inside the bias. You can fold it back and forth on itself or just gather it up. Which ever method works for you. Stitch that section in place. Now gather up the next 3" section. Repeat until you get to the other pencil mark. Cut off excess. Now fold bias over and stitch to cover the unhemmed edge of the strip.

Tie it on your dog and fluff.