How to make a cravat

[hiddenRelic]

corrected

First of all, you need about 1/4 yard of white cotton, stiffer is usually better.

1)Iron it until there are no wrinkles or creases.

2)Measure around your neck. We'll call this measurement "A" [12 1/2]
Measure from your neck to the bottom, or the bottom of your ribs, it depends on how long you want it. We'll call this "E" [11]

3)Take "E". Divide it into thirds, round to the nearest half. [3 1/2]
Add 2 to "E" [5 1/2] we'll call this one "B"
Add 5 to "E" [8 1/2] we'll call this one "C"
Add 7 1/2 to "E" [11] we'll call this one "D"

4)Now we'll start cutting:
A) cut a piece with the following dimensions "A" x 10 in
B) "B" x 14 in
C) "C" x 17 in
D) "D" x 20 in

5)Fold piece A in half, lengthwise. Sew it together, you should end up with a long tube. Turn this inside out. Fold the raw edges inside and sew down. There should be no raw edges showing now. Set this piece aside.

6)Now we're going to finish the edges on all of the ruffles. If you have a surger, you could do a rolled edge, but a folded edge looks more authentic.
To do a rolled edge, fold the raw edge over 1/8 in, or there abouts. Then fold it over again, tucking the raw edge in. Pin it down, (this makes it sooo much easier) then straight stitch it down, taking care to make sure the rolled edge is what you're sewing down, not just a line down the sides of your fabric.
Do this on pieces B, C and D.

7) Fold piece B into a fan, each fold the same size between 1/2 and 1 inch. Iron this down until you can see every individual crease, for this will be the easiest time you will have to iron it. Set it aside and repeat on C and D.

8) Take piece A and lay it down with the seam down the middle, not at one of the edges. Iron this flat. At one end attach / sew down the velcro. at the opposite end attach the other half of the velcro. It should be on the side with the seam, either on top or on bottom. Make sure it's secure. (pics are coming soon, or at least by next week)

9)Take pice D. Find the middle of it, mark it with a pin. Find the middle of your collar. Line D up on the bottom edge, hanging down (it should resemble a "T") overlapping the collar by 1/2 inch, line up the middles and pin down. Stack the pleats on either side, making sure the far edges aren't more than 3 inches apart or closer than 2 inches. Pin down. Sew down, going over it twice.

10) Repeat step nine with piece C, overlapping D on all sides by 1/4 inch. Sew down, going over twice.

11) Repeat step nine with piece B, overlapping C on all sides by 1/4 inch. Sew down, going over twice.

12) To put on, fold collar up, attach velcro, fold collar back down, hiding the stitches holding the pleats/ ruffles on.

If you have questions or anything is confusing, let me know.

Posted by request of Shawni and Pleady. (btw Pleady, I'm soo jealous of your hair.)

[onecoolc]

o.o THANK-YOU! I am now officially making a cravat. x3

[hiddenRelic]

The instruction may be slightly off, I was going off of memory. just a fair warning

[starfoxx322]

hiddenrelic, I love you. I am so making myself a cravat one day when I have material and free time.

[Giant-Sandbag]

So, uh, win.
I'd give you an internetz, but I don't have one.

[LadyVincira]

HOT DAMN.

I am making a cravat and wearing it to work. XDDDD Thanks!

[kappagoddess]

UGH I WANT ONE. D; But I suck at following directions.

Maybe pictures? -is shot-

Thanks for this, anyhow. ^_^

[hiddenRelic]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2195432&l=b9bed6c995&id=519664745 I didn't make this one for me, so it's a little big. (sorry for taking so long to answer...) If you bribe me i could make you one and mail it to you

[genodragon1]

I officially dub this to be the best topic ever.

However, I have a question: why is stiff cotton better? Wouldn't a nice, silky material be more comfortable to work with?

[Diana]

I officially dub this to be the best topic ever.

However, I have a question: why is stiff cotton better? Wouldn't a nice, silky material be more comfortable to work with?

Perhaps more comfortable to work with, but a stiff cotton will hold its shape better. You want to have a nice, full looking cravat!