Instructions for making several different designs of chokers and suggestions for how to decorate them.
Chokers never go out of style - as long as they're worn with the right outfit. Some are so simple that they only take a few minutes to make. Cut a piece of black or white velveteen but make sure the edges are perfectly straight. Measure around the neck and cut the strip about an inch longer. Fold the ends over a quarter of an inch and use fabric glue to secure. Use a thin velcro strip for fastening. Now glue on any ornament you like. Craft stores are full of small items which can easily be glued to the choker. A gold, silver or brass initial will look fantastic.
Lace is often found on rolls at a fabric store and it's just the right width. Buy ruffled and use it alone or purchase flat lace and add decorations to it. Glue on tiny faux pearl beads or lengths of narrow golden roping.
Another cute choker idea is to braid together three strands of leather stripping. They can be all the same color or three different shades. When finished braiding glue the three strips together on one end and the three strips together on the other end. Now simply tie the choker on and leave long strands of the leather strips hanging down in back.
Stitch together two long strips of fabric, about two inches wide. Start with right sides together and stitch just the two long sides. Turn right sides out. Fasten a safety pin to one end of a piece of ribbon. Use the safety pin to push the ribbon through the fabric piece. The ribbon should be 6 inches longer than the neck measurement with the fabric being twice that size. Scrunch the fabric onto the ribbon. Turn the ends of the fabric inside so that the raw edge doesn't show then use fabric glue to hold the fabric and ribbon together. Use the ribbon ends to tie the choker on. The scrunched look is real cute when you use a single clip-on earring right in the middle of the choker. Choose something with a flat design and clip the earring on from the top or the bottom.
In place of the earring glue or tack on a bow. Make a rectangle of 4" by 6". With right sides together stitch three sides shut. Turn right sides out and stitch the end closed. Now scrunch the middle of the fabric to form a bow and attach it to the choker collar.
A portion of a black leather belt can be used to make a very unique choker. Punch holes in the end for threading sinew to tie the choker closed. Attach a 20" chain to the leather choker, letting it drape down in sections. You can also attach metal studs or decorate the belt with turquoise stones.
There are many different ways to make chokers and lots of different materials that can be implemented for just the right look. Great fabric choices include corduroy, satin, velvet or brocades. Perfect adornments for the choker include cameos, glitter glue, faux jewels, sequin, and monograms.
