The tunic is a truly versatile and gorgeous garment with historical roots. It's amazing how this piece of fabric has surpassed borders and fashion boundaries and has gained such popularity across various cultures and fashion trends. They look great with women's tanks, healing bracelets for women, and can be super comfortable and even worn with sustainable loungewear. There are lots of tunics out there - in a wild array of colors, cuts, fits, and lengths, but for budding tailors or those who want to put their own spin on things, making a tunic is also easy to master. Tunic making is suitable for beginners and gives you much freedom when customizing your fabric and fit. From fashion tunics to those with an Eastern flare or medieval-style tunics, you can check out this video and adapt it to suit your style.
Choosing Your Fabric
Before you start piecing your tunic together, you will need to find the right fabric. There are many fabrics to choose from, such as tunics, which can be made from light cotton fabric, linen fabrics, heavy fabrics like wool, inexpensive fabrics, luxury fabrics like silk or bamboo, and more. It's not only the weight and feel of the fabric but also the texture, color, and print. Depending on the occasion you are making your tunic, you can choose fancy embellished fabrics or fabrics with a bright and beautiful print. For a more versatile choice, you can pick fabrics in block colors. If sustainability is important to you, you can also weave this into your work - choosing an eco-friendly material like bamboo or recycled materials will keep your project aligned with your sustainable goals.
Tools and Materials Needed
- Fabric tape measure
- Fabric scissors
- Pins
- Sewing Machine (or needle and thread)
- Fabric
- Fabric marking tool (can be a pen or chalk)
- Optional - serger for finishing edges to stop the fabric from fraying
Measuring and Cutting the Fabric
- Measuring and cutting are the keys to crafting a successful tunic. First, ensure you take the right body measurements, as everything will center around this.
- Measure the length from the shoulder to the desired hem. Then, measure the chest circumference (including the bust for women's tunics).
- Then, measure the arm length if you want long tunic sleeves or a simple tunic tee.
- Now, you can calculate the fabric based on the measurements and the desired tunic style. If you want a loose tunic, you must factor in additional fabric.
- Usually, when measuring the widest parts of your body (chest measurements and hips), you may want to add an additional 2-4 inches, depending on whether you want a tight or loose-flowing fit.
- You will want to multiply the total width by two to account for both front and back pieces, and then add the length of the tunic from shoulder to hem to give you a total idea of how much fabric you need.
- Lay the fabric flat and double-check with your measuring tape that the numbers are correct. Then, use a fabric marker or mark the fabric with chalk so you know where to cut.
- Cut the front and back pieces using fabric scissors into one large rectangle.
- Then, mark out the neckline, armholes, and side sleeves and cut the fabric carefully.
- If your tunic is to have sleeves, you can mark and cut two rectangular pieces for each sleeve. Pull the fabric tight and measure and mark the fabric pieces, taking into consideration how long and how loose you want your sleeves.
- Round off the corners at the armhole edge to fit smoothly into the armhole of the tunic body. Cut the fabric pieces, ensuring both sleeves are symmetrical.
Sewing the Tunic Together
- If you have cut the front and back sides of your tunic separately, you will need to stitch them together at the shoulders.
- First, make sure they are correctly aligned and pin the two pieces together. Using a straight stitch, you can now stitch along the shoulder seams, generally using a 5/8 inch seam allowance.
- If your tunic has sleeves, lay it down on a flat surface and align the sleeve fabric with the armhole. Pin the fabric pieces in place. Now, you can stitch the sleeve in place, using a straight stitch and again a 5/8 seam allowance. Any excess fabric can be eased in.
- With the sleeves attached (if applicable), fold the tunic along the side seams with the right sides together. Pin or clip the side seams from the edge of the sleeve down to the hem. Stitch the side seams using a straight stitch, maintaining a consistent seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seams to secure them.
- Now it's time to hem the tunic. Start by folding and pressing the raw edges of the neckline, sleeves (if applicable), and bottom hem to the wrong side of the fabric. Depending on your preference, you can fold the edges once for a narrow hem or twice for a more finished look.
- Pin or press the folded edges in place to secure them. If desired, stitch the hem using a straight or a decorative stitch with colored thread to ensure an even and neat finish. For added durability, consider backstitching at the beginning and end of each hem.
Customizing Your Tunic
Now you have your tunic, you can customize it to suit your own individual style. You can enhance the design in many ways to fit your unique look. You can add a collar or a hood, depending on if you want more formal features or a casual bohemian style. You can play with the neckline, creating a slit or a keyhole for visual appeal. You can make your tunic more functional and stylish by adding pockets. You can add decorative trims and beautiful embroidery with various types of fabric - from lace to ribbon and different colored fabric strips along the hems. You can add decorative buttons and colorful cotton thread.
Care and Maintenance
Treat your tunic with care to ensure it stands the test of time. Depending on the material, you may want to handwash your tunic using cold water and a mild detergent. This will help prevent shrinking or color fading, and handwashing will ensure that delicate seams and threads don't get loose or fray under heavy spinning from a washing machine. Avoid using a tumble dryer; instead, air dry your tunic, keeping it out of direct sunlight. If you need to iron out wrinkles, you can do so using an iron on a low setting. Store in a cool, dry place when not wearing.
Conclusion
There is sheer satisfaction in wearing handmade tunics. Not only do you get the pleasure of a perfectly customized and one-of-a-kind piece, but you also get to create a tunic for your height and body type crafted from a fabric you love.
FAQs
How much fabric do I need to make a tunic
How much fabric you need for your tunic depends on your size, height, and desired style. A good rule of thumb is to measure the length you want, double that, and add an extra quarter of a meter.
How is a tunic made
A tunic tends to be fashioned from two pieces of fabric sewn together at the sides and across the top, traditionally with a hole for the head and the arms. Because of the ease of its design, they are also simple to make at home with a sewing machine.
How to design a tunic
To design a tunic, you will need to know its length. You can also choose the right fabric for your personal design—whether you want a bold print or something simple. Be sure to measure yourself correctly and consider whether you want sleeves, a hood or collar, and other embellishments.
What makes a top a tunic
A top may be considered a tunic if it falls from your shoulders and below your hips without going past your knees. There are many different styles of tunics, but tunics tend to be longer than simple tops.
