I feel like lately it's harder and harder finding things to be grateful for when you hit that midway-through-winter stride here in the midwest. Actually, I'm not big on winter in general (I hate being cold) but I always try and focus on two things that I do look forward to when the temperature drops: cool coats and pretty boots. Coats and jackets can be so much fun to shop for, but sometimes a coat needs a little bit of something to make it an extra-special piece—that's where a detachable fur collar comes in!Supplies: Coat, faux fur, white cotton fabric, elastic (1/8" wide), buttons, fabric scissors.1. Start with a coat that has simple symmetrical collar (put it on a dress form if you can find one, it will help a lot!) 2. To make your pattern, lay a piece of white cotton fabric over your coat. Smooth and pin the fabric on the back neck area of the coat. Starting at the back, continue to smooth the fabric towards the front and pin the loosely to the collar as you go. You should have a bunch of extra fabric in the open space between the collar when you're done. 3. On the inside of the jacket, pin the fabric to the inside about an inch from the collar edge. Trim down the extra on the sides and in the middle between the collar so you can better start to choose you fur collar shape. 4. Trim the fabric on the inside of the coat to just beyond your marked pins. Continue to mark with pins how wide you want your collar to be on the outside and trim your pattern down to that size. I did end up pinning two darts in my pattern on the back of the coat collar (each about two inches from the center of the neck). This helped the round the pattern a little more where needed. You can see that I made my fur collar pattern bigger and a different shape from the original collar. You can really make it any size and shape as long as it covers the collar underneath. 5. Remove your collar pattern and face it upside down onto the back of your fur. Trace the pattern with a marker. 6. Use fabric scissors to cut out your pattern. When cutting fur-like material, you want to keep your scissor's edge as close to the base of the furry side of the material as possible. This helps you to cut the base fabric rather than the long fur hairs. Make small cuts and slide your scissor blade along the bottom of the fabric as you go. 7. Once your fur collar is cut, make small loops with your elastic and attach them to the inside curve of your collar every four inches or so (facing out past the edge of the collar). You want the loops to be big enough to go over your button size, but small enough that they won't come off by themselves. 8. Pin the fur collar in place and sew a button at each spot on the inside of the coat where an elastic loop hits the coat. Once the buttons are sewn in, attach the loops to the buttons and you're done!I think this collar was just what this coat needed to gain a little "ommph." And, the great thing is, you can leave it on or take it off depending on what outfit you're wearing or what mood you're in. Or, you can always make several different collars, and it would look like you're wearing a new coat everytime! Think your current coat is too boring and should be pitched? FUR-get about it, make yourself a detachable collar for a coat makeover instead! xo. Laura
Credits // Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman
69 Comments
So clever! Nice to know I can have a sweet faux-fur lapel lying around for those days I’m feeling sassy!
I love this! what a great idea.
Zoe
http://gypsiesister.blogspot.com
What a great accent to add to a coat! I love a good do it yourself project!
http://www.oomphlove.blogspot.ca
This is such a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing. I can’t wait to add this extra warmth to one of my plainer coats.
This is an amazing DIY! I’ve been seeing a lot of these coats around lately, and I think I’m totally going to try this.
xo.
holly
happinessbrand.blogspot.com
SO cute and inventive! Love the fact that it’s detachable:)
I love how simple this DIY was!
http://www.yourbeautyfixmag.com
The jacket is amazing! A great idea!
Great idea, thanks a lot, if I don´t like my similar coat in the actual version I will do this DIY 🙂
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.blogspot.de
What a smart and pretty idea, Laura! I can’t wait to try this out when I’m back home from traveling & have my hands on my winter coats again. You’re actually making me WANT cold weather so I can snuggle up in this DIY… *gasp*! I said it.
xx. Jillian
http://www.roadtohereblog.com
It looks lovely and it is so easy! 🙂
Love, Tatjana
http://missfuckingfashion.blogspot.de
Never thought it could be so easy to add a fur to a coat!
Great DIY!
xx
Novella
http://9lla.it/
A fashion & DIY blog…
This is actually so cool and definitely well done! Thanks so much for sharing, you are awesome Laura!
Carlee
http://thelittlesloth.blogspot.com/
This is great!
i love this idea!
http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2014/02/parenting-ups-downs-and-inbetweens-vi.html
That coat is gorgeous. I have a navy vintage coat I love to wear. It is my favorite.
Very clever–I like the color faux fur chosen, with bits of gray/black to really compliment the coat and seem like it was always there to begin with!
Laura you are so smart, such a great idea !
I love her rings!
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/valentines-day-gift-guide-for-her.html
Such. A. Smart. Idea! I’m sooooo over winter, too!
I love this idea! A DIY-must. 🙂
♥ Naomi Starry Eyes + Coffee Cups
what a genius idea! i know just the coat i’d love to do this to. thanks!!
xo jac
That is SO freakin’ cute.
Love fur collars on coats! So beautiful!
Oh wow, this is sooooo cute!
http://nikitaandvesper.com/collections/vintage/products/montaldos-love-and-joy
wwaaauuu looks really good!!!
http://www.stelstyle.com
Love this!
http://www.whatsashawears.com
This is so fabulous. Great DIY!
Ooo – super, I love this!
Way to amp up the sass on a pretty coat to make it fierce! So smart.
Totally in love with this!
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
this is such an awesome DIY!
Love all of laura’s projects 🙂
this is so cool! love fur collars and now I can put it on my fav coat
xx Milly
http://www.lovemilly.blogspot.ca
I love it! Too bad I can’t sew worth a stitch, but such a cute project! 🙂
This is a great idea! So cute!
Very impressive DIY!
Sophie x
http://your-girl-is-lovely.blogspot.co.uk
where are your black pants from???!!! they are outta control. I NEED.
Such a sweet idea! That fur looks fabulous!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
again, i love those scissors and faux fur too!
This is so incredibly amazing! I am not sure if I should try this on my own, I am not that talented with DIY projects…but you clearly have a talent for it. I wish I could purchase this coat! It looks professionally done. I would like to pair it with some bold and exotic jewelry that I think would go beautifully with it!
http://www.mintandlolly.com
I am really impressed with this DIY – it looks gorgeous!
This is seriously genius! It’s much easier (and cheaper) to find a coat without a faux-fur collar and this is an awesome way to customize it for yourself!
xoxo
Taylor
http://www.welcomehometaylor.com
I think I would always leave the fur on. It looks so good!
Oooh this looks great! I’m glad you posted that link for the fake fur. I keep looking for some around town so I can add some faux fur to the hood of one of my coats but keep coming home empty handed because the options are so crummy. Looking into this for sure!
XOXO
Becca | http://ladyfaceblog.blogspot.com
Oh wow, this is an amazing DIY! It would be really cool to do this with a thrifted coat. It looks so great!
Very Pretty! Unfortunately useless for our winter. At -35 degrees Celsius one needs a down filled, Canadian made winter coat (preferably Canada Goose, Quarts……although mine is a Marmot which is American…….but Alaska is like Canada in it’s winter). It costs an arm but you have it for years and even if it’s not the most fashionable of coats……..it’s indispensable.
Wow, this is one of my favourite DIYs you guys have done this year I think! I really want to do this when I get back to a sewing machine!
Cx from http://mixedmediumstheatre.blogspot.co.uk/
I am loving this! Such a good DIY!
love this idea! totally going to diy this.
xo.
jenn @ hello, rigby!
Brilliant idea girls! I absolutely love this idea! And that it’s detachable! Instant chic to a tired old coat!
The Macadame. xx
http://www.creamstop.com
i have the perfect coat for this! can’t wait to try it.
I want this coat. Why it istn´t in my wardrobe?! :o)
That’s such a good idea, I remember last year looking everywhere for a black one of these! It looks great.
What a fantastic blog now following! Just loved this post and the collar totally transforms this coat! so beautiful I have bookmarked to try this in the future thank you so much for sharing http://www.krystelcouture.com
Damaris £100 Lingerie Giveaway! X
Love this! Maybe I’m the only one who can’t figure this out, but how did you attach the elastic to the fur? Did you sew it? I can’t tell from the picture…. Thank you!
gorgeous!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
Where did u get those insanely pretty scissors? ??
Forever 21 🙂
Laura
Just search Amazon for “gold scissors” and you’ll find a similar pair 🙂
Laura
I actually love winter cuz i look great in coats and hats but this year i downsized and donated my wardrobe leavong me with one winter coat which is classic and goes witheverything, but classic can get boring, I need to male this.
I can’t believe how much better the jacket looks with the collar.
This looks so so good, I love coats with fur collars like that.. I’m so tempted to try this! 🙂
http://www.amyalaska.co.uk
xx
Wow, love this! Wanted to stop by and say Hi!
omg! Thank you! I have really been wanting to make something like this but I have no idea where to start! Can’t wait to have a go at this!
Love this, you have the best style!
That is simply wonderful.
Lovely photos ! Great post ℓα ℒιcσrηe – ℒa vie est ℓa petite ℓicorne.
* GIVEAWAY *
Great idea! Kiss
WEAR EAT LOVE
http://weareatlove.com
This would be a great idea to hide a less then perfectly spotless lapel too!