What is... a t-tunic?

The name "T-tunic" comes from the garment's resemblance to the letter "T" when laid out on a flat surface. As one of the easiest pieces of garb to make, it is comonly seen as people's first garb. Most theories of historically-correct tunics are based on the Bocksten Bog find - a corpse in the bog was found in 1936, fully clothed. Some cloth had deteriated, but a lot was still there, including a full wool tunic.

T-tunics are known as early period garb - correct at least right through the 1200s. A t-tunic is correct garb for most parts of Europe throughout this period.

• Kyrtles/Cotes/Gowns - The Bocksten Bog Man
  Detailled description of a garment found in a bog in sweden
  
  I. Marc Carlson
• Introduction to Garb: A Seminar
  An introduction to making garb
  
  Cynthia Virtue

There are basically two styles of t-tunic pattern, authentic and easy-but-wasteful

• Authentic patterns:
  • MIDGARD BASIC CLOTHING STANDARDS - TUNIC
    Pattern and instructions for an authentic t-tunic, based on the KRAGELUND MOSE TUNIC
    
    Aelfric Guthredsson
  • How to make an authentic Víking Era tunic
    Detailled instructions on making a t-tunic in the viking style
    
    Carolyn Priest-Dorman
  • Your First Set of Clothes
    Too often new re-enactors are rushed to make something just to "get them on the field". There is no reason for this haste. Fabric costs money and sewing takes time. Making bad garb is just a waste of precious resources. Your first piece of clothing doesn't have to be something you'll be ashamed of in years to come. You can make easy, historically accurate medieval clothes in minutes, and you can do it right the first time.
    
    Kass McGann
  • Practical Worksheet for Tunic Construction
    Step-by-step instructions on making your first garb.
    
    Cynthia Virtue
  • "T-tunic" - the period way
    I have an early period persona, and so my garb consists mainly of that universal 'newcomer's garb', the T-tunic. But a T-tunic in period was far from simple. It was a complex garment made up of many pattern-pieces, a far cry from our one-piece, fold-and-sew standard material-waster. This article is the result of some research I've done, and an attempt to put that research into a practical application for the SCA folk who want to be a little more adventurous with that ubiquitous garment.
    
    Maggie Forest
• Easy patterns:
  • Grey Company: Tunic and Pants
    non-authentic link
    
    Bill McConnell
  • The "But I don't know how to make garb" guide to Norman Tunics
    non-authentic pattern
    
    Dawn Duperault
  • An All Purpose T-Tunic
    A very brief outline of how to make a non-authentic t-tunic
    
    Clemence L'Estrange
  • The T-Tunic
    Creating your own tunic pattern for wear in the Society for Creative Anachronism.
    
    Kelly Vogt
  • How to make a quick-and-dirty T-tunic
    This article shows you how to make a simple piece of medieval-ish clothing.
    
    Canton of Wolfsgate (an SCA group)
  • Making a T-Tunic
    A simple guide to a simple t-tunic.
    
    Dagorhir Battle Games, a LARP
  • All Purpose T-tunic
    A simple pattern for a variety of clothing for men and women.
    
    College of St. Carol on the Moor (an SCA group)
  • How to Make a T-Tunic the easy way
    This article claims to be a t-tunic pattern easy enough for a stick jock to make. Must be pretty easy then... <Gwennie looks around nervously>
    
    Virithos
  • An All Purpose T-Tunic Pattern
    This is the same pattern as offered by St. Carol on the Moor.
    
    Barony of Coeur d'Ennui and the Canton of Axed Root (an SCA group)
  • Basic T-Tunic
    The T-tunic is so called because of its resemblance to that letter when opened and laid flat, and has been worn by just about every culture at some time or another. It's good for a starter costume, as it may be converted easily into a garment fitting the era you finally do choose to portray. The pattern can be adapted to be short, long or anywhere in between, as full/narrow as you desire, with long, short, medium, full, narrow, or even no sleeves, with open or closed sides, as you wish.
    
    Duchess Leah Kasmira of Natterhelm
  • T-Tunic Pattern
    Step by step instructions to a very basic t-tunic
    
    Antina Richards-Pennock
  • The Shire of Blackhawk T-tunic Pattern
    Simple step-by-step instructions to making a t-tunic
    
    Patrick Bailey
  • Non-Sewers Page: Easy Good Looks, Simply
    An image from a printed document giving a very simple t-tunic
    
  • Making a Basic T-Tunic
    Simple instructions with hand-drawn images
    
    Lady Brigit MacDonald

Other pattern links:

• Making a Keyhole Neckline
  Having decided to make a t-tunic, and picked out the pattern of your chice, it may also be useful to think about the neckline. A keyhole neckline is one possibility.
  
  Kelly M Vogt