Because of the economy and my husband's tendency to have favorite shirts, some are worse for the wear. Meaning the collars are completely worn out. Many years ago I learned from my grandmother how to "turn" collars.
Very carefully use a thread pick with a very sharp end to pick out all of the tiny stitches, turn the collar over and reattach it. Always check before starting this process to make sure you have the matching thread you will need for the shirt. The shirt will look very good and last a while longer. Good luck!
By Joyce Lambert from Nokomis, AL
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Is there a way to prevent the collars of shirts from fraying or at least slow the process? Many of my husband's shirts are in excellent condition apart from the collars which have started to fray along the fold. I've seen some posts about unpicking, turning the collar and sewing it back on but that's beyond my capabilities so I was hoping to prevent it in the future.
I wash the shirts using a washing machine as I don't have the time to hand wash. Thanks
Sweat and skin oils, direct wear, strong detergents, stain removers, and bleach all contribute to fabric breaking down. To help prevent this: wear a bandana or use hand wipes to clean one's neck when on break (feels good too!), purchase shirts made from more tightly woven/heavier fabric, and using more gentle laundering techniques and soaps (applying a pre-wash paste of baking soda & warm water might help lift the oils).
It's possible that some of this wear is due to the wearer having excess perspiration problems.
I have heard of people trying all sorts of things but I do not know if any of them truly worked. I'm not sure how many men will do these things or if they can even do them more often than in the morning before leaving home.
1.) using a deodorant/perspiration product on the back of the neck when finishing shower
2.) using baby powder (unscented) or cornstarch on the back of the neck as often as possible
3.) using hand wipes to clean the back of the neck as often as possible
4.) only wear shirts one time before laundering
5.) keep the back of neck shaved clear of hair all the time
How is a good way to launder clothes like this.
1.) use spot remover on stains at least 30 minutes before wash
2.) baking soda paste is a stain remover
3.) unbutton all buttons
4.) never use liquid chlorine bleach
5.) use no more than half (or less) detergent than recommended
6.) do not overload machine as this wears all clothes out quickly
7.) wash clothes like this on medium or gentle - never fast
8.) remove clothes from washer as soon as possible
9.) dry on medium (never hottest) and remove immediately when almost dry. Place a large dry towel in dryer with clothes to help them tumble safely and dry faster.
I'm not sure if any of this will actually slow down the wear but it will make all of your clothes last longer and in better repair.
I'm sure everyone has their own methods that work best for them so hopefully, someone will offer more solutions.
My shirt plackets and collars are fading or bleaching. Why is this happening and what can I do to stop it in the future?
Many things can cause this, from clothing interacting with detergents or styling products, to high sodium content sweat or water.
Since this is happening around the neck, is it possible that you are perspiring a lot, or that you have recently switched shampoo or aftershave and that this product is affecting your collars? When did you first notice?
It is clear that something that comes in contact with your neck or hair is partly to blame. creativehomemaking.com/
My husband has a tendency to wear out the collar on his dress shirts. Does anyone have a tip for repair or use for the shirt (other than quilt material)?
Before the collars are completely worn, carefully take them off and turn them around with the worn side down.(
Funny, I was just talking to someone about this very thing the other night! This person could sew and what she did was take the collar off and reverse it. Sounds like a plan!
When my children were little; I`d put the collarless shirts on them, buttoning down the back. Then I`d roll up the sleeves to a comfortable length for the children and button up the sleeves. Sometimes they were used for art work (or other messy kid-type activities.
Carefully pick out the collar from neckband, using a thread pick. Turn it over and reinsert it in the neckband, keeping everything even. Carefully resew it. I've done this a few times and it is not difficult.
You could also take the collar off and sew the neck back together for a mandarin collar. (This is good after you have used both sides of the collar.) He won't be able to wear it with ties anymore, but he can still wear it to go out, if he likes that sort of collar.
For shirts that have worn collars take them off and sew the rounded edge back up. You may have to replace that part with a new piece of material. A friend does this all the time with her husbands' shirts only she does it with the new ones. He likes the look of a western style shirt, but the costs are too high. so maybe this could be an option for those who still like the look of the shirt they have.
By RoseMary
Don't waste your time go to the pro at:
http://www.collarreplacement.com
Get a neckband shirt with detachable collars. You can get them at http://www.amazondrygoods.com
IM NO GOOD AT SEWING, SO I'D JUST BUY A NEW SHIRT !!
I DO HAVE A QUESTION THOUGH, WHAT CAUSES THE TIPS ON MY HUSBANDS SHIRTS TO GO WHITE AND FRAY, IS IT WEAR AND TEAR OR AM I DOING SOMETHING WRONG ?
I just do a zig-zag with my sewing machine over the worn part of the collar. Quick, easy and I have saved many, many of my family members' shirts this way.
Reading all these wonderful posts reminded me of how my mother would carefully remove the collar from my father's favorite shirt and repair it and then reverse it.Some of his shirts were his favorite and they were done this way until they could no longer be repaired......Cindy D........
My husband's business shirts have frayed collars and cuffs. I don't sew, but I understand you can flip these worn ends and turn them around. How much should I pay? Would my dry cleaners or a tailor do this?
I think buying new ones would be less expensive.Seamstresses aren't cheap. I know, because I sometimes sew for people. If you can't afford all new shirts at once,buy one or two a payday. Judy in alabama
Don't do it. As another writer says, it's too expensive. Even if it were free, you end up with cuffs and collars that are worn thin. You'd be lucky to get a dozen wearings before it's frayed again.
Elaress
This is a good idea, but only if you can do the work yourself for free. Its easy. Just unpick the seam. Turn the collar over. Then resew. Try it. You have nothing to lose.
Best wishes always,
Well, these shirts are very expensive and I think I'd like to try and save them.
I just wanted to know if they still look good after the collars are flipped.
It will cost 20 to 30 dollars or more to have this done.It is also NOT that easy unless you have some experience. It is not difficult to do but it is time consuming to rip out all collar seams and topstitching--and then put them all back. And then getting it to lay right when pressed may be difficult, but it isn't impossible.
Don't waste your time and money. If you look in thrift shops you can find wonderful, all-cotton, high -thread- count designer dress shirts if you look hard- and probably pay only $4-5. My Goodwills have been distributing scratch off tickets the last couple of years- some give an additional 10 or 20% off your next purchase. Also you can find discount coupons in the local papers.
