
Collars and embellished collars have been making their rounds on the internet and blogs for the past couple of years now. I think we can point our fingers at Miu Miu and their pretty kitty & swallow collars for starting the trend. But because I thought I saw so many refashioned collars and collar necklaces floating around, I purposely did not do a DIY for one. You know I don’t like to be a copycat. Apparently however, a Look 4 Less reader was on the hunt for a DIY embellished collar and couldn’t find any that suited her. So I offered a hand and thought I’d give it my own spin using faux pearls, vintage rhinestone earrings & buttons, as well as vintage aurora borealis beads from an old broken necklace {as I did for my encrusted V-neck DIY}. Rather than cluttering up the entire collar though, I created a pretty visual pattern that begins on one side and ends on the other.
*NOTE* Once embellished, your shirt will have to be dry-cleaned or carefully hand-washed and hung dry. It’s the price you pay for fashion OR you can also choose to remove your collar entirely from the rest of the blouse and wear it as a necklace of sorts, pairing it with any outfit you like.
Here’s What You’ll Need…

* A blouse with a nice collar. Mine is blush/pink that I found at a thrift shop, with a nice sturdy collar that will keep its shape even with the weight of the embellishments. You can see me wearing it here in 2010 with under the collar necklaces.
* Faux pearls in 2-3 sizes. I also used a craft strand to save a little time. Rhinestone buttons, beads, earrings… whatever you like really, that you can hand-stitch on.
* Needle/Thread/Scissors
Steps…

* First, visually lay out your largest pearls or precious findings. Other than the vintage rhinestone earrings dangling from the ends, I chose not to match the two sides. Carefully hand stitch each into place {but not onto your shirt below}.

* Using medium sized pearls or beads, begin filling in the spaces in between. Then with the smallest beads or pearls, filling in the even smaller spaces.

* Adding large, medium, and small beads, pearls, and rhinestones gives it depth and texture.

* Continue overlapping and filling in the blanks until you have a finished look you are pleased with.
*NOTE* Mine has a “dipped” feeling which I really love… but you may choose to embellish just the tips, just the edges, sporadically overall, or clustered entirely. You can also choose to add chains, studs, sequins, or even just cover your collar in an already-embellished ribbon. It’s up to you 😉
Voila!

Have Fun!
* Find all my DIYs here!
Me salen alas (si me paras los pies...)
Beautiful!! You are a artist!!!
Guauuu!! Cool post ;D
Kisses from Madrid ♥ ♥
Sarah Mikaela
Thanks for the tutorial! Can’t wait to get down to it 🙂
xx,
Sarah Mikaela
Framboise Fashion
Natali
Omg! This is the most beautiful DIY I’ve ever seen!! I MUST do this myself!
http://lartoffashion.blogspot.com
Miss Caitlin S.
oh, that looks SO lovely!! I love it. I swear Meagan, you have the best ideas.
Laure
This is very beautiful as always when you use your fingers!
ilovedoityourself.blogspot.com
Plc training center in chennai
wow
very nice and grate
Ajah
this is so beautiful! your DIYs are always the best!
MforMegan
Such a stunning DIY!! Love it! 🙂
Kathleen
This is stunning!
mouse
that looks so gorgeous!
thankfifi
I so much prefer yours to all the other versions I’ve seen because of the asymmetry. Very pretty.x
Kristen
Looks great with the uneven collar tips!
FASHION ICE
this is s pretty! great idea
Janine A
you are beyond talented!! quite the inspiration, M!!
House of Avandan
Very pretty! Love it!
A jewelry blog.
http://www.houseofavandan.com
CessOviedo
I’m literally screaming about how cute this look! The beads totally turn around the shirt!
Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries
H*
this is lovely!
Prêt-à-Penser
beautiful DIY! great job 🙂
xx
http://WWW.PRETPENSER.COM
http://WWW.PRETPENSER.COM
Alice Barton
wow, quite amazing, so well done!! xx
Alice Barton ♥ The Mow Way
Aline
BEST collar tutorial I have seen yet. love it!!!
Srta. Holly
I have a blue cotton shirt and would be a good idea to update it with some details in the neck.
I love it.
a kiss
Alela Sirah
Beautiful DIY!
Hey! Did you get my text today?
Sarees
This is the most beautiful.Best collar tutorial I have ever seen.this is lovely!
Yuliya ♥
Love it ♥ ♥
Bisous
Yu’
drollgirl
this is BEA YOU TI FUL! and i love that it is asymmetrical! it is gorgeous!
Grace - Stripes and Sequins
This turned out so well – love it!
bananas.
fuck!!! you win…yup you’re the DIY queen. i quit!!!
😉
seriously though…this rocks!
Smalltropolis
What an unusual and cute idea!
Anonymous
wow its too much and amazing Idea for Collar.
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Ash .R
I posted a link to your tutorial on my blog, beauuuutiful collar!
Anonymous
very nice dress…
cenaless
Marina
I love this collar! Amazing idea! You have such a great ideas for DIY! I love them all!
xx
biskvittka.blogspot.com
Melina Carla
Bravissima megan, ottimo lavoro!
Carmen Pastor
Hello, my name is Carmen, I have 15 years and one of my dreams is fashion, so http://miescueladetacones.blogspot.com.es/ opened a blog and I hope you like and let comments, a kiss.
TJ
Gorgeous top!
TJ, Royal Quartz