Crescent Shadows On-Line Newsletter of the Hudson Valley Pagan Network, Inc.

We're all aware that one method of beginning the transition to ritual consciousness is to change into ritual wear. But putting together a ritual wardrobe can be a challenge, especially if you're on a budget. Catalog options are beautiful, but costly. The resourceful Pagan (YOU!) can create handmade, highly fashionable and fully functional ritual wear that's easy on the pocketbook! We'll begin with the T-tunic, a basic garment patterned from a T-shirt, which can be modified to yield several different garments. This issue we'll cut a basic tunic. Next issue we'll discuss how to sew it and also several variations on the theme. Future articles will cover other types of garment, such as cloaks, pants to go with the tunic, gowns and robes, so stay tuned!

You'll need a T-shirt that fits you comfortably, a sewing machine, 2 yards of 45 inch wide fabric and thread to match. If desired you can also embellish your creation with trim, which can be purchased by the yard at the fabric store.

1. Pre-wash and dry the fabric to remove fabric sizing and preshrink.
2. Fold the fabric in half along the original fold line from when the fabric was on the bolt at the store - pre-washing generally does not remove this line.
3. Fold the fabric over so that you have a big rectangle in which one corner is the folded fold and the longest length of fabric has one side that is two overlapping folds.
4. Decide what type of neckline you want. A square neck is often best if you want to apply trim later.
5. From the folded fold cut a 3 inch (from the overlapping fold side) by 2 inch (down from the top fold) rectangle and reserve the rectangle off to the side.
6. Now fold your T-shirt in half lengthwise so the arms are together.
7. Place the fold of your T-shirt along the overlapping folds with the neck of the T shirt over the area where you cut out the rectangle and the shoulders of the T-shirt on the top fold.
8. From the selvedge edge, about 5 inches from the top fold, cut in until you reach about an inch from the underarm of your T-shirt. 9. Turn downward and cut an inch from the side edge of your T-shirt all the way down to the bottom end of the fabric. Remove you T-shirt and put it away.
10. Take out the rectangle you reserved and open it on a scrap of the cut away fabric. You'll need to cut a rectangle 3 inches larger on all sides, then cut out the center to match your original rectangle. This is the neck facing so that your tunic does not come unraveled at the neck.

Congratulations! You've successfully cut your tunic! Remember, we'll cover the sewing instructions and variations in the next issue! In the meantime, if you need assistance with any of these instructions, please contact me at [email protected].

- Dee Coyle Anderson

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Last Updated: September 28, 2003
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