How to make a Viking tunic - the Must-Have in Norse fashion!
This is the “must-have” item to begin your kit if you want to do your first steps in re-enactment. This pattern works for a wool tunic or a linen under tunic.
To take the measurement, the easy way is to have a look at clothes that fit you and you need to add at least 4 to 5cm to the length and width for the seams. Here I have an old tunic that I am using as an example.
The main body part which is composed of two rectangles one for the front and one for the side. Draw the rectangle with a pencil onto the fabric then cut the first rectangle.
To be sure you cut the next rectangle the same size as the first one, pin your cut rectangle on the fabric then cut.
For the sleeve you need to cut a rectangle that will be folded in two and two triangles to have room when you move your arms. Again measure the length of the sleeve of a shirt for example as well as the width and add few centimetres for the seams.
The opening for the head is one of the most technical part. I draw on a piece of paper an oval (again have a look at a tee-shirt to have an example. Then I draw it on the two parts of the tunic. You can notice that it is slightly bigger on the front side than on the back side so the neck line fall well around the body.
The last part you have to cut is some triangles to go on the side of your tunic as you can see on this picture. This is how everything is assembled.
I sometimes use the sewing machine to avoid the fabric to lose its threads. It is faster but for more authenticity you can do this by hand as well.
Begin with the sleeves and sew the two triangles with the main rectangle.
Do the same for the triangle of the body part.
Then sew the two body parts on the shoulders.
To have a better finish press the seam with an iron. It is more practical when you have to sew all the parts together.
Attach the two sleeves to the body part. Pay attention at where are the “wrong sides” with the visible seams when you pin your fabric.
All you have to do then is to sew the side of the tunic from the extremity of the sleeve to the bottom of the body part. And here is the result! Now you can finish the tunic with an invisible seam.
There are many way to work on the collar but the simplest is to roll the fabric and do an invisible seam.
Or you can add another piece of fabric on top to have a better design.
You can also play with colour contrast as in this example. I used two different light wools. You can also add tablet weaving and embroidery to make it more upper class if you want.
