Woolen Cloak Dilemma!
 

Last week I purchased a beautiful black, thick wool, cloak. It had no holes, stains nor other detractors except for the scritchy wool and ugly collar! It has four buttons with loop closures and a 1 1/2" poet's collar in a homely cotton plaid. My guess is that was why it was on the 3 for $1 rack.

How do folks replace or dress up a collar? I would love wearing this beauty as long as it has a "nice against the skin" collar in an attractive style. Suggestions anyone? It would be a shame to have $50+ worth of nice 100% wool just sit in a closet because of a minor design flaw!

Could you wear a scarf inside the coat around the neck?

My suggestion would be to take the collar off, use it as a basic pattern, make whatever changes you would like in the design, and attach a new collar . If you want a really soft collar, make it out of velvet or fur. If you don't sew well enough to do this yourself, take it to a seamstress and have her do it.

A velvet collar would look great with and you could do it in an eye popping color for great contrast, or pick a color you know looks good with your skin.

I sew with felted wool a lot and have made a couple jackets. The colors are standup. One is wool faced with a fake fur. I use polyester double knit cut into a strip about 1 1/2 inch wide to bind the edgeYou work from the right side and double it over and have a little excess on the back so you can catch it in the front stitching. Then trim close to the stitching on the back and it looks very good.A strip 5/8 inch wide to attach it to the garment. The other is one thickness of felted wool bound in the same way and attached in the same way. Use zigzag stitch with same color thread.

Can't you simply hand applique another piece of cotton fabric over the homely cotton plaid? A piece of Michael Miller's jet black cotton, perhaps.

Consider covering/ replacing the collar in faux suede.

This is EXACTLY what I was hoping to find! How do you attach it at the final stage without puckers or obvious "additions"? As a person that can only stand so much irritation against my skin, how it feels against my neck and shoulders is #1 and how it looks to others is #2. The same color thread must make a difference for how it looks on the finished product. Thank YOU!

Replace collar with a Velvet collar in a color you like. You could also put the same Velvet on the top side of pockets (if your cloak has outside pockets). You can also replace with fur from old stole or jacket (this way you have a very dressed up look for very little). I'm always doing make overs on items, so have fun!!!

Wow, what a bargain! I'm sure you'll fix it up nice!