How-to build your own "Ribbed neckpiece"

By: TK 821

Estimated time: 2 hours

Cost: 0$-10$ (depending of wich parts you already have)

Parts needed:
* 1 black T-shirt (if you don´t have one, you´ll probably find a cheap one in some second-hand store)
* Padding material
* Velcro or buttons
* Sewing machine (borrow from youre mother or grandmother)
* Scissors and some sewing accesories

I´m sorry about the quality of some of the pictures.

Step1:
Find an old black T-shirt. Make sure that there are no holes as even the smallest ones
can develop in to real big ones if your unlucky. The reason for choosing the T-shirt material
is that its real soft against your skin and its also quite cool if wearing it for a long time
compared to rubber materials etc.
Now cut out the back piece like this (or the frontpiece if you dont have any print on it):

You may want to use an iron on it before continuing.

Step2:
Take a piece of padded fabric, approximately 9 inches/25cm wide and 20 inches/50 cm long
and tuck it in 3 layers like this (you may use more or less depending on thickness):

Step3:
Put the black cloth around the padding and secure it with some sewing-needles.

Now its time to start sewing the "ribs", begin from the top of the neck piece and work your way down.
Make the ribs about 5mm wide.
To make sure you get absolutely straight lines, fit the top-edge of the neckpiece to one of the marked lines on your sewing machine. When doing the next "rib-line" you just make sure to fit the first line with the right edge of the "Pressure-foot" (dont know if this is the english word for it but I think you understand anyway) see picture:

Proceed until you have as many ribs as you feel comfortable with (approximately 8-10 "ribs").

Step4:
When finished with the sewing cut the remainders of the cloth and the padding something like this:

The "strips" hanging down is used to put under your ordinary black jersey to secure the neck piece so it dont moves all the time.

Step5:
When youve come this far its time to put on the velcro (or buttons if preferred) so that you can connect your project around your neck. Start by cut out 2 pieces of "loop" (3 inches/8cm long) and 2 pieces of "hook" (2.5 inches/6cm long). Now you just have to connect them to the neck piece using the sewing machine. To allow adjustment for any person without spoiling the appearance the best way to place the velcro pieces is like this:

This is the frontside the side that will be turned outwards when wearing the neckpiece.

This is the backside the side that will be turned inwards when wearing the neckpiece.
(note: the "strips" are tucked in on these photos I have not cut them away)

Heres some more pics that shows the velcro and the edge-seams:
"Seams""Hooks""Loops"

Step6:
When finished with the velcro its only some trimming of the edges left to make the neckpiece look smooth. It´s actually really easy just cut the remainders of the padding away and tuck the edges in then use your sewing machine. Basically you´re on your own now since I cant go into every detail but dont be afraid, just use your imagination and may the force be with you:) I can help you with some pictures on how my finished neckpiece look:

Note: In the middle-picture I have added the T-shirts washing-tag just to make it look like fabric-made you dont have to do that if you not wan´t to :)

Some tips along the way:
* As always make it right the first time, to save time and to dont make your prop look ugly if any corrections have to be done. Take extra precautions when it comes to the velcro pieces because you may ruin the whole neckpiece if you have to change or correct anything.
* Take your time, always try out how things will look before doing the final connecting.
* Don´t make the neckpiece to broad/high, or you wont be able to move youre head comfortably.
* Use your creativity and fantasy, this guide is only to help you with ideas, it doesn´t matter if you understand every step of it or not. You´ll probably find some solutions that works better than mine.

You are welcome to send your comments, questions or suggestions to: TK821 Nordic Garrison