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

In this second installment, we'll cover how to sew the tunic you cut last issue. We'll also discuss embellishing your tunic and variations on the basic tunic theme.

The first step in sewing your tunic is checking your sewing machine to be sure that your thread and bobbin match the material of your tunic closely. This prevents your seams from standing out in the finished garment. Occasionally we use seams as part of the embellishment (topstitching), but one needs a steady hand for this to look right on the finished garment.

Open out the small square of fabric which will be your neck facing. Finish the outer edges by turning them over twice toward the wrong side of the fabric and hemming them with a running stitch. Leave the inner edge unfinished.

Next, open out your tunic with the right side of the material facing you. Match the small square facing to the neck hole with the right sides together. That is, the neck facing wrong side will be up and the tunic right side will be up. Stitch the two together about ¼ in from the neck hole. Snip a cut almost to the seam in each of the four corners. This helps your facing to lie flat. Now turn the facing to the inside of the garment. Your neck hole is finished! Some people like to topstitch the neck opening to keep the facing on the inside where it belongs. If yours doesn't seem to want to stay in even after you press it, you might want to consider topstitching.

The next step is to turn the tunic right side out and line up the loose sides. Sew these together with a straight stitch ¼ inch in from the raw edges. "But the raw edges are where I can see them!" you may be exclaiming! Once these seams are finished, trim them close to the seams, then turn your tunic back inside out. Press the tunic so that the seams are flat. Now seam again 1.4 inch in from the edge. Your seams are now bound so that your tunic will not unravel, and are on the inside of the garment where they belong.! Hem your tunic and you have completed your first piece of ritual wear!

Trim can make a big difference in terms of how special your finished tunic looks. Trim is sold by the yard and can be very pricey at local fabric stores like JoAnn's and Alfred's. Look for sales, buy trim at WalMart, or go online to www.thepillagedvillage.com. This is a supplier to SCA and other historical re-enactment groups which sells trim by the yard. You can see it all online. They have lots of really gorgeous stuff you'll never see at a fabric store. The neck, sleeves and hem can all be edged with trim.

Tunic variations include things like side vents, dagged sleeves, robe or gown length versions of the same tunic, and round necks. The difference here is not in how the tunic is sewn, but in how it is cut. For example, use 4 yards of fabric instead of 2 and you can make a gown or robe! If you need help interpreting any of these directions, or if you'd like help laying out a project, please contact me at [email protected].

- Dee Coyle Anderson

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Last Updated: October 1, 2003
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