The Jester Collar Pattern

If you have any trouble at all with printing or sewing, feel free to email me at shoppicnicpalace@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram (@picnicpalace). Please do not distribute these files to anyone else!

This satisfying, beginner-friendly, stash-buster of a project is the perfect way to start building out your clowncore costume trunk. The pattern comes with two neckline variations, an optional harlequin appliqué template, and a fully-illustrated instruction booklet. 

Pattern printing instructions:
Print out the pattern at 100% scale and verify it printed correctly by measuring the 2”x2” test square. Tape the sheets of paper together (A1 to A2, B1 to B2, and C1 to C2) using the registration marks to align. Cut out all the pattern pieces. Leave pieces 1-3 and pieces 4-6 intact; only cut along the outermost edge, don’t cut into the pattern on the lines that separate the patchwork.

The dimensions of the finished project:
Width from shoulder to shoulder: 14.5"
Full unfolded length: 21.5"
Neck opening: approximately 20.5" for option A and 22" for option B, but the opening can be adjusted with the ribbon ties

Required supplies
-printer and printer paper in either US Letter or A4 size
-several coordinating woven fabrics totaling about 1 yard—at least two different coordinating woven fabrics, but as many as 15 if you only have scraps.  Read the instructions fully before cutting into your fabric because some steps need to be completed beforehand. This project is meant to use up scraps that you have in your stash, so it doesn’t have to be continuous yardage. Scraps as small as 4”x4” can be used for appliqués, and larger pattern pieces can easily be pieced together by cutting into the pattern and adding seam allowance. I recommend using your largest pieces of fabric for the ruffle and the lining, as the other pieces are designed to have a patchwork look. 
-interlining fabric—I use craft felt from Michael’s. This will be entirely hidden, so any color will do.
-1/2 yard medium to lightweight fusible interfacing—you can use the woven or non-woven kind, but I’ve found that this non-woven interfacing works best
-two 12” lengths of coordinating ribbon—you can also make your own with self fabric by folding a 12”x4” strip in half lengthwise twice and topstitching each edge. Finish one end of each ribbon by hand.
-pins
-sewing machine or hand needle
-1 spool polyester all-purpose thread

Optional supplies
-small sew-on jingle bells
-pom-poms
-1 yard bias tape
-any supplies you’d like to decorate your collar—beads, sequins, fabric paint, embroidery floss
-Fray Check

Required tools
-clear quilting ruler (or seam gauge)  
-your preferred tool for marking fabric—tailor’s chalk, heat-erasable pen, pencil, tailor’s tacks, white gel pen, etc.
-Fabric scissors and scissors for paper
-iron and ironing board

Optional tools:
-1/2 yard unflavored dental floss or 2-3 strands of waxed embroidery floss
-duck-billed embroidery scissors

Techniques you may need to be familiar with or be willing to learn:
-Blanket stitch
-Felling stitch
-Flat felled seam
-French seam
-Gathering a ruffle
-Getting sharp points using floss
-Hemming a curved edge with bias tape
-Mitered corner with bias tape
-Slip stitch

*While vaguely inspired by depictions of medieval jester costumes, this design is in no way historically accurate.*