How to Make a European Tunic
- 1). Measure the tunic wearer's neck circumference. Then measure the distance from the armpit to the desired length of the tunic and the distance from the neck to the desired sleeve length using the the measuring tape. Write down the measurements.
- 2). Purchase approximately 3 yards of fabric, depending on the size of the wearer. Adult tunics that end at the knee can be made from 3 yards of fabric. For tall adults or for ankle-length tunics, purchase an extra yard. Choose simple, solid colors such as browns, grays, greens or puce, made from thick material such as wool or linen. Preshrink the fabric by washing it in hot water. Iron any folds or wrinkles after drying.
- 3). Lay the largest piece of tunic fabric on a clean, flat surface such as a table or bed. Fold in half length-wise so that there is a fold across the top and the bottom is open; fold in half again in the perpendicular direction so there is a fold on the left- hand side and the right selvedge side is open. When facing the fabric, the short open baseline should be closest to you and the selvedge edge to your right; the top edge and long right edge should both be folded.
- 4). Draw a shallow neckline on to the top left corner of the folded fabric using fabric chalk based on the measurement of the wearer's neck divided by four. Make the opening so that the front neckline of the tunic is lower than the back neckline.
- 5). Find a T-shirt that fits comfortably in the chest. Fold the T-shirt length-wise and lay on the folded tunic fabric, matching the center fold of the T-shirt with the center fold of the tunic fabric; the collar should be up near the top left fold where the neckline is marked.
- 6). Eyeball where the T-shirt lays on the tunic fabric and use the fabric chalk to extend the T-shirt arms into a slight bell shape to form the arms of the tunic. Find the end point of the arms by measuring from the neckline along the top fold of the tunic fabric the length of the wearer's neck to the desired sleeve length measurement, plus four inches.
- 7). Draw the sides and bottom of the tunic using the chalk by tracing down from the intersection of the armpit of T-shirt and gently extending down and out from the tee-shirt. Use the soft measuring tape to find the desired hem length by extending it down from the tee-shirt's armpit down to the base the distance from the wearer's armpit to the desired length, plus four inches. Add one inch or more to all of the lines to account for the seam.
- 8). Set the T-shirt aside. Use sharp fabric scissors to cut out the fabric along the chalk lines. Open the fabric so that it is only folded in half and pin the front and the back of the tunic in place.
- 9). Use a sewing machine or needle and thread to sew the front and back of the tunic together. Hem the neckline, sleeves and hem of the tunic. Iron open the seems and turn right-side in so that the tunic seems are on the inside.
- 10
Add any additional adornments such as ropes, ribbons, trim or embroidery particular to the specific style of European tunic desired.
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