[mcholley1]

I’ve been making the same kwik sew pattern for my son for the past few years because I prefer a true collar stand to the one like the sketchbook. And, proper shirt pattens for toddler boys are amazing hard to find. Now it is time to draft the next size up, and I very much need a break from the same pattern. I’ve been wondering if I could use the mandarin collar and the fold over collar together to make a stand?

[Sarvi]

So funny, I was just asking Nicole about this the other day. She pointed out that for my purpose (adding a ruffle to a collar stand) this would produce something too high for that big head/short neck toddler shape. But if you’re doing a regular collar, I think it’s worth knocking together with some scrap fabric. Also check out Nele’s blog (spiegelstiksels at blogspot, I think). She has lots of photos and tutorials about that kind of shirt.

[Nicole]

I would be more inclined to cut the collar into two and add seam allowance to the cut edges. I have done that very successfully with a mens shirt.

Have you seen how I do my collar? (I am not presuming to tell the master how to sew boys shirts-yours romp all over mine) but by trimming the interfacing and some nifty topstitching its not a bad faux finish

http://fiveandcounting-motherof5.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/sketchbook-shirt-tutorial-part-1.html

[mcholley1]

Thanks for the blog Sarvi! Awesome information! You are sweet Nicole…but hardly. My problem with the sketchbooks I made is the collars got floppy after multiple washes and hard wear, even trying many different interfacings. The seam on the stands seemed to help it maintain its shape. But, come to think of it I haven’t made a sketchbook since he stopped drooling all over his shirts by the end of the day. (Thanks goodness his older cousin drooled till he was around 3 also, or I would have been worried) Maybe it is time to try again…

[Mama_Knowles]

I made one of these for Wyatt a while back (In red frog print, his choice) and the collar still stands up today. Although he says he is wayyy to old for it now. ; )

[Mama_Knowles]

here is this one http://www.flickr.com/photos/mama_knowles03/5912297132/in/set-72157629340489938

and I forgot about this one too, the collar still looks great on it too, I saved it for Caspian one day. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mama_knowles03/6241125864/in/set-72157629340489938