Under-Collar Fashion Accents

When times are hard you don't have to worry that you can't keep up with the latest fashions. You just have to think of new ways to do that without spending so much money. For instance, instead of buying lots of new shirts and dresses you can just change the look of the ones you already have. That's easy to do when you use a ribbon and your choice of embellishments. A tie-on collar accent is a fun way to spruce up your wardrobe without spending much.

A tie-on ribbon is just what you need to decorate around the collar of a button-down shirt. It's what you sew onto the ribbon that determines what type of new design you'll give to an existing shirt or dress. Buy three yards of narrow ribbon and you can sew up the new designs with ease.

Tie the chosen ribbon around your neck - so that the ribbon is under the collar - and tie a bow in the front. Mark an area, on the ribbon, just under the collar - and do that to each side. From one mark, around the back of the neck and to the other mark, will be the area where you sew on the materials you want.

A feather boa, or feather trim, looks lovely when you create a tie-on to attach it to the shirt or dress. With the end areas marked, sew the boa or feather trim onto the ribbon. If you're using a boa, select one that lies flat, rather than one with a rounded design. Also, cut the boa in half for use on the ribbon.

Cut a length of lace, fold it in half lengthways, then sew the cut ends to the ribbon. If you want it to appear more ruffled, cut it longer than you need, and make little puckers in the lace as you sew it onto the ribbon.

When you cut up two doilies you can make a much different collar accent. Cut the middle out of each doily then cut each of the large rings. Cut from the outer edge, to the inner edge, at one area on each doily ring. Sew the end of one doily to the end of the other. Sew the doily set to the chosen ribbon and you're ready to wear it.

There are different designs of the collar tie-on that you can make. One is created, as discussed, by tying it in a bow, in the front. Another is made when you cut the ribbon to be the size you actually need, then secure with Velcro dots, sewn on the ends of the ribbon.

Wrap the collar enhancer around any shirt or dress that features a button collar. Then, anytime you want, take that one off and put on another one. It's a cheap way to seemingly have lots of new clothes.