What You Need to Make a Clown Collar

A clown collar is a large, ruffled circle of fabric that sits around the neck and spreads outward across the shoulders. You can make one by sewing a gathered or pleated strip of fabric into a ring, then attaching it to a bias tape neckband. The whole project takes about two to three hours for a beginner, and you need only basic sewing skills—straight stitches and gathering are the main techniques.

Start with lightweight to medium-weight fabric: cotton, cotton blends, or even tulle work well. Avoid heavy fabrics like denim or canvas, which won't ruffle properly. You'll also need bias tape (pre-made or homemade) for the neckband, thread that matches your fabric, elastic or a drawstring for the inner edge, and a needle or sewing machine.

Measure your neck circumference and add 2 inches for overlap and seam allowance. This measurement determines the finished inner diameter of your collar. The outer ruffle can be as wide as you want—6 to 10 inches is typical for a clown look.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut a rectangle of fabric roughly twice the width of your finished collar and at least three times the neck circumference in length, because gathering shrinks the fabric.
  • Sew the short ends of the rectangle together to form a ring, then fold it in half lengthwise and press the fold to create the outer edge of the ruffle.
  • Run two parallel rows of gathering stitches along the inner edge, pull the threads to bunch the fabric down to your neck measurement, and find the threads.
  • Attach bias tape around the gathered inner edge, then add elastic or a drawstring inside the tape so the collar stays in place when worn.
  • Test the fit before finishing—the collar should sit comfortably around the neck without pulling or sliding down.

Cutting and Preparing Your Fabric

Cut a rectangle of fabric. The length should be at least three times your neck circumference—if your neck is 14 inches around, cut the fabric at least 42 inches long. The width should be roughly twice the finished ruffle width you want; for a 6-inch ruffle, cut the fabric 12 inches wide. These measurements give you room for seams and gathering.

Place the rectangle right sides together (the pretty sides facing each other) and sew the two short ends together with a half-inch seam allowance. Use a straight stitch on your machine or hand-sew with a running stitch. Press the seam open with an iron. You now have a large fabric ring.

Fold the ring in half lengthwise, so the long edges meet, and press the fold with an iron. The fold becomes the outer, visible edge of your ruffle. Don't sew this fold closed—you'll leave it open so you can gather the inner edge.

Gathering the Inner Edge

The inner edge of your collar needs to shrink from its current length down to your neck circumference. You do this by gathering—bunching the fabric with thread. Set your sewing machine to a long stitch length (about 4 to 5 millimeters). Sew two parallel rows of stitches along the raw inner edge, one quarter-inch from the edge and one half-inch from the edge. Leave long thread tails at both ends—at least 6 inches.

Pull the bobbin threads (the threads on the underside of the fabric) gently and evenly. The fabric will bunch up. Keep pulling until the inner edge measures exactly your neck circumference plus half an inch for seam allowance. Distribute the gathers evenly around the ring so no section is bunched more than another. Tie off the thread tails in a knot to lock the gathers in place.

If you don't have a sewing machine, you can hand-gather by threading a needle, knotting one end, and running the needle through the fabric in small, even stitches. Pull the thread to bunch the fabric, then knot the other end. It takes longer but works just as well.

Attaching the Bias Tape Neckband

Bias tape is a narrow strip of fabric cut on the bias (diagonally across the grain) so it stretches and curves smoothly. You can buy pre-made bias tape in the notions section of a fabric store, or make your own by cutting 1.5-inch-wide strips from fabric and pressing them in half lengthwise. For a clown collar, you need enough bias tape to go around your neck circumference plus 2 inches.

Open one fold of the bias tape and pin it to the gathered inner edge of your collar, right sides together. The raw edge of the bias tape should align with the raw edge of the gathered fabric. Sew along the crease of the bias tape using a quarter-inch seam allowance. Fold the bias tape to the inside of the collar and press it flat. Fold the raw edge of the bias tape under by a quarter-inch and hand-stitch or machine-stitch it down to the gathered fabric, creating a finished neckband.

At this point, your collar is almost complete. The inner edge is now a smooth, finished band that will sit against your neck.

Adding Elastic or a Drawstring

A clown collar needs something to keep it from sliding down. You have two options: elastic or a drawstring. Elastic is faster and more find; a drawstring gives you adjustability.

For elastic, cut a piece of quarter-inch-wide elastic to your exact neck circumference (no extra). Pin it inside the bias tape band, stretching it slightly as you pin so it lies flat. Sew the elastic down using a zigzag stitch, which allows the elastic to stretch without breaking the thread. The elastic will pull the bias tape inward and cinch the collar snugly around your neck.

For a drawstring, thread a cord or narrow ribbon through the bias tape band using a safety pin or bodkin to guide it. Leave the ends loose so you can tie the collar on. This method works well if you want to adjust the fit or remove the collar easily.

Finishing and Testing the Fit

Try on your collar before you call it done. It should sit comfortably around your neck without pulling, choking, or sliding down. The ruffle should spread outward evenly. If the inner edge is too tight, you can carefully remove some stitches and loosen the gathers slightly. If it's too loose, tighten the gathers or add a second row of elastic inside the band.

Trim any loose threads and press the entire collar with an iron on a low heat setting if your fabric is synthetic. If you used cotton, a medium heat is fine. The collar is now ready to wear.

For extra flair, you can add trim to the outer edge—rickrack, lace, or pom-pom trim sewn along the fold makes a collar look more theatrical. You can also dye or paint the fabric before sewing, or use patterned fabric from the start.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is cutting the fabric too short. If your initial rectangle isn't at least three times your neck circumference, you won't have enough fabric to gather down properly, and the collar will look thin and flat. Measure twice before cutting.

Another mistake is uneven gathering. If you pull the gathering threads too hard in one spot, that section will bunch up while others stay loose. Pull slowly and adjust as you go. Distribute the gathers by hand before tying off the threads.

Don't skip pressing. A collar that hasn't been pressed with an iron will look wrinkled and unprofessional. Press after you fold the fabric in half, and again after you attach the bias tape.

Finally, test the elastic or drawstring tension before you finish. A collar that's too tight will be uncomfortable; one that's too loose will fall off. You can always adjust it after trying it on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a clown collar without a sewing machine?

Yes. Hand-sewing takes longer—expect four to five hours instead of two to three—but the technique is the same. Use a running stitch for seams and a backstitch for strength. Gathering by hand is slower but works perfectly well if you have patience.

What fabric works best for a clown collar?

Cotton, cotton blends, and lightweight linen gather beautifully and hold their shape. Tulle and organza create a stiffer, more dramatic ruffle. Avoid heavy fabrics like denim or canvas, which won't ruffle, and slippery fabrics like satin unless you're experienced—they're hard to control.

How wide should the ruffle be?

That's up to you. A 4-inch ruffle is subtle; a 10-inch ruffle is very clown-like. Start with 6 to 8 inches if you're unsure. Remember that the wider the ruffle, the more fabric you need to cut.

Can I make the collar adjustable for different neck sizes?

Yes. Use a drawstring instead of elastic, and leave the ends long enough to tie. You can also make the bias tape band wider and sew the elastic only partway around, leaving a gap where you can adjust the fit by hand.

How do I wash a clown collar?

Hand-wash in cool water with mild soap and lay it flat to dry. If your fabric is sturdy cotton, you can machine-wash on a gentle cycle, but air-drying prevents the ruffle from getting crushed. Don't put it in the dryer.