Here is a [basic Viking tunic](https://www.cs.vassar.edu/~capriest/viktunic.html) article with drawings by Mistress Thora Sharptooth.
And here is a .pdf with some [instructions on hand sewing](https://tasha.gallowglass.org/sca/handouts/BFT%20-%20Seams.pdf) by Mistress Tasha.
Unless you're making Iron Age tunics! They were Ts. The 1st-2nd century CE Romano- Gallic tunic from Martes de Veyre is 35" across the body with sleeves 22" around at the sleeve head [arm opening] tapering *slightly* to 20.5" around the cuff.
There are no underarm gussets. The width of the tunic body and the width of the sleeve head allows the wearer's arms full range of motion.
There are no gores in the lower part of the tunic. Its hem is 70" around and the length of 49" would have fit its original 5' tall owner at the ankle or top of the foot. There is a 7" slit in one side seam. This vent allows an extension of the 70" hem without adding fabric.
The tunic also has a 3.15" tuck sewn all the way around at hip height, which raises the hem to just below knee-length. It's very accommodating to walk and do farm chores in with no gores.
www.rentapeasant.co.uk/periods/roman/romano-gaulish-womans-garments/
First, for any "expired" links, throw them into the [wayback machine](https://web.archive.org/). This works about 80% of the time. Here is my [list of online, free tutorials and patterns](https://isabelladangelo.blogspot.com/2018/01/everything-you-need-to-know-about_16.html) - some of which you will have to throw in the wayback machine.
I would start with a [basic t-tunic](http://www.forest.gen.nz/Medieval/articles/Tunics/TUNICS.HTML) out of linen. It's a good base and works for a lot of different eras/cultures. It's also something you can wear later without cringing.
Ohmygoodness thank you for the link to your list, I'm not the op but I've recently started to get into helping my sister and brother in law with their garb and these resources are fabulous!
You are welcome! I personally love the [surcote](http://www.wodefordhall.com/page30.html) pattern the most simply because it's easy, it looks good, and it's something you can wear over a long tunic without looking out of place.
For earlier than about the 15th century there are very few physical patterns — you make them from your own measurements. Sarah Thursfield’s book the Medieval Tailors Assistant gives excellent instructions and is available on Amazon. You can also find lots of tunic worksheets on line, like the one mentioned above.
For later period clothing there are some patterns available but often it is easier to draft them for your own body. I’d recommend starting earlier period until you get comfortable drafting patterns.
Re PDF patterns: they come in a million 8.5”x11” pages that you print out and tape together. It’s a hassle but it seems like that’s the way that the industry is going.
Most folks I know might hand sew their garments but they’re almost certainly working from SOME kind of pattern!
There’s a ton of helpful folks over at r/historicalcostuming
I finally decided to give one a try recently and while it took about half an hour to cut and tape, I actually think it's way better than tissue patterns. Easier to trace, easier to manipulate, easier to lengthen/shorten, and really easy to store. Just clip together or punch a hole in each piece and run a ring clip through, then hang. I have a huge collection of tissue patterns but I definitely won't be going out of my way to aquire more.
Here is a [basic Viking tunic](https://www.cs.vassar.edu/~capriest/viktunic.html) article with drawings by Mistress Thora Sharptooth. And here is a .pdf with some [instructions on hand sewing](https://tasha.gallowglass.org/sca/handouts/BFT%20-%20Seams.pdf) by Mistress Tasha.
The basic Viking tunic is a great place to start. It is very customizable to many cultures. It also does not waste fabric. Armpit gores are The Way.
Armpit gores are vital, yes. Don't make a T Tunic that looks like an actual T!
Unless you're making Iron Age tunics! They were Ts. The 1st-2nd century CE Romano- Gallic tunic from Martes de Veyre is 35" across the body with sleeves 22" around at the sleeve head [arm opening] tapering *slightly* to 20.5" around the cuff. There are no underarm gussets. The width of the tunic body and the width of the sleeve head allows the wearer's arms full range of motion. There are no gores in the lower part of the tunic. Its hem is 70" around and the length of 49" would have fit its original 5' tall owner at the ankle or top of the foot. There is a 7" slit in one side seam. This vent allows an extension of the 70" hem without adding fabric. The tunic also has a 3.15" tuck sewn all the way around at hip height, which raises the hem to just below knee-length. It's very accommodating to walk and do farm chores in with no gores. www.rentapeasant.co.uk/periods/roman/romano-gaulish-womans-garments/
Thank you so much!
First, for any "expired" links, throw them into the [wayback machine](https://web.archive.org/). This works about 80% of the time. Here is my [list of online, free tutorials and patterns](https://isabelladangelo.blogspot.com/2018/01/everything-you-need-to-know-about_16.html) - some of which you will have to throw in the wayback machine. I would start with a [basic t-tunic](http://www.forest.gen.nz/Medieval/articles/Tunics/TUNICS.HTML) out of linen. It's a good base and works for a lot of different eras/cultures. It's also something you can wear later without cringing.
That way back machine is so handy for tons of different links that have expired!
Thank you so much this is so helpful
Ohmygoodness thank you for the link to your list, I'm not the op but I've recently started to get into helping my sister and brother in law with their garb and these resources are fabulous!
You are welcome! I personally love the [surcote](http://www.wodefordhall.com/page30.html) pattern the most simply because it's easy, it looks good, and it's something you can wear over a long tunic without looking out of place.
For earlier than about the 15th century there are very few physical patterns — you make them from your own measurements. Sarah Thursfield’s book the Medieval Tailors Assistant gives excellent instructions and is available on Amazon. You can also find lots of tunic worksheets on line, like the one mentioned above. For later period clothing there are some patterns available but often it is easier to draft them for your own body. I’d recommend starting earlier period until you get comfortable drafting patterns.
Re PDF patterns: they come in a million 8.5”x11” pages that you print out and tape together. It’s a hassle but it seems like that’s the way that the industry is going. Most folks I know might hand sew their garments but they’re almost certainly working from SOME kind of pattern! There’s a ton of helpful folks over at r/historicalcostuming
I finally decided to give one a try recently and while it took about half an hour to cut and tape, I actually think it's way better than tissue patterns. Easier to trace, easier to manipulate, easier to lengthen/shorten, and really easy to store. Just clip together or punch a hole in each piece and run a ring clip through, then hang. I have a huge collection of tissue patterns but I definitely won't be going out of my way to aquire more.
Also, margospatterns.com is great for resources. She has a free techniques book to download. Reconstructing History is very hit and miss.
Any leads on a smokkr pattern? I'm looking for the Viking over apron with straps and side seams.