Add a bright finishing touch to a clown costume with this simple handmade collar. Follow the step-by-step video guide to create a colourful ruff using felt, ribbon and basic craft materials. Individual pieces of coloured felt are folded and attached around a neckband to create the full ruffled effect before ribbon ties and a decorative bow are added to finish the design.

How to Make Your Clown Ruffle

Materials needed

• Assorted coloured felt sheets
• Dark blue paper for the neckband
• Pink and orange felt for the decorative bow
• Ribbon for fastening the collar
• Scissors
• Glue

Step 1: Create the Neckband Base

Start by cutting a dark blue sheet of felt into a long, narrow strip. This will form the foundation of your collar. Lay it flat across your work surface and measure it around your neck to ensure a comfortable fit.

Step 2: Make the Ruffles

Cut pieces of pink, yellow, white and other coloured felt into sections. Fold each piece into loose pleated shapes and apply hot glue to hold the folds together. Continue making ruffles with different colours until you have enough to go around the entire neckband.

Step 3: Attach the Ruffles to the Neckband

Glue each folded felt ruffle along the dark blue neckband, alternating colours as you go to create a bright rainbow effect. Work your way around the entire band until it's covered with colourful ruffles.

Step 4: Add the Bow

Cut pink or orange felt and shape it into a small decorative bow. Glue this bow to the front centre of your collar for a finishing flourish.

Step 5: Add Neck Ties

Cut lengths of ribbon and glue them to either side of the collar. These ties will allow you to fasten the ruff securely around your neck when wearing your clown costume.