ok I'll make you a deal.... I'll post this but I want to see at least one collar by the end of the day! ;)

1) find a raglan pattern you like and are familiar with. Starting with the back piece, sew to an arm along diagonal seam, then the front then an arm. Do not sew the last seam (arm to back) yet.

2) cut a wide strip of stretchy stuff... I like cotton lycra the best! Cut it wider and longer than you would normally (I like 1 1/2" strips) and make sure you cut it with the stretch going along the length. (you will trim extra length and width later)

3) sew the collar strip to the shirt neckline right sides together (i.e sew it to the front of the shirt), stretching it a little as you go (about the same as you would for FOE) -- I serge mine but a 1/4" seam would work too.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/bethan/Nov04%20sewing%20journal/neck1.jpg

4)serge up last seam including collar. This makes it look a little like a turtleneck with a raw edge!

5) flip strip over and using a narrow double needle, topstitch it down. I don't pin, I just stop every few inches and making sure it is snugly wrapped around the seam.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/bethan/Nov04%20sewing%20journal/neck2.jpg

6)flip over and trim strip neatly -- I find this gives a neater and easier finish than trying to catch a narrow strip evenly all the way around
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/bethan/Nov04%20sewing%20journal/neck4.jpg

7) voila!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/bethan/Nov04%20sewing%20journal/neck3.jpg

8)lay the shirt on the ironing board, arrange the collar into the shape you want and hold the iron slightly above the fabric and STEAM THE HECK out of it to get rid of the rollercoaster! (if it doesn't get rid of it all, stretch the collar a tad more next time). Press firmly once it has been steamed to make it look pretty.

Brilliant! I'm cutting stuff now and will add a raglan top to the stack :D Thanks Bethan!

That is what I do for binding, except no ironing. The differential on the coverstitch means no stretching.

If I recycle an old picture of my shirts, will you be satisfied :D

No that doesn't count!

I press mine even when it doesn't need steaming, I like the look of it better.

Oh BTW, your stitch length on the topstitching should be slightly longer than for wovens. I usually do about a 3- 3.5 for topstitching knits. Also the adjust the presser foot pressure if you can.

Originally posted by Scarlet
No that doesn't count!

I press mine even when it doesn't need steaming, I like the look of it better.

Oh BTW, your stitch length on the topstitching should be slightly longer than for wovens. I usually do about a 3- 3.5 for topstitching knits. Also the adjust the presser foot pressure if you can.

So which way do you adjust the presser foot pressure? Less pressure, right?

Thanks!

yes, less pressure.

Thanks a lot for the great tutorial!

However, I'm a dork. I didn't catch this part

1) find a raglan pattern you like and are familiar with. Starting with the back piece, sew to an arm along diagonal seam, then the front then an arm. Do not sew the last seam (arm to back) yet.

please, be patient, english is just my third language :)

It was interesting... I opened this and had no idea what you were talking about... and just by reading it and a trip with google I not only know what you are talking about, but realised I am wearing a shirt that is made just like that... lol...

Can anyone give me tips on raglan patterns the "know and love"? Like number and brand etc. TIA...

Great tutorial! Can you do this with a double needle on a regular machine or does it take a coverstich every time? Thanks again!

Love Val

I can't wait to try this. I have a raglan shirt sitting onmy sewing table. I wil try it tomorrow. To tired right now.

Great sew along!

So does adjusting the length of the topstiching make it easier to stretch over little heads?