Make a Child's Tunic for a Renaissance Festival

When the resident princes attended our local renaissance fair, they wanted to go in style, but have garb that could easily be removed to reveal the play clothes underneath. This tunic fits the bill, with a single snap closure at the back of the neck and renaissance style in the decorative shoulders. Sizing is loose, traced over a long-sleeved T-shirt the child already owns. Pair it with a floppy renaissance hat for the complete look, and your child will be faire-ready with no fuss. Then recycle the costume for a Halloween party, dress-up box or school play.

Supplies for a Kids' Renaissance Tunic

Oversized long-sleeved T-shirt for pattern
1 yard midweight cotton or rayon blend for the shirt
¼ yard contrast fabric for shoulders
1 yard ½" lace for trim
Poly Fiberfill
Large snap
Chalk, thread, sewing machine, scissors

Trace the Renaissance Tunic Pattern

The tunic pattern will be drawn directly on the fabric by tracing around the oversized T-shirt. After pressing the tunic fabric, fold it in half with the selvages together. First, trace the sleeves. Place one sleeve of the T-shirt along the fold line with the top of the sleeve on the fold. Trace around it, allowing 1" additional at the cuff end and taper to 2" additional at the top. Repeat.

Fold the T-shirt in half, tucking the sleeves inside, and place the fold 1" from the selvage and trace around the back part of the T-shirt. Allow an extra 1" of fabric at shoulders and sides, and 2" at the bottom. Finally lay the shirt flat on the remaining quarter of the fabric and trace around the front, again allowing an extra 1" at sides and shoulders, and 2" at the bottom. Cut out the two sleeves, two back pieces, and one front piece.

Make the Epaulettes

The epaulettes, when complete, look a bit like bananas with seams running lengthwise, and they're responsible for the great Renaissance style of this tunic. Cut two elongated oval or football-shaped pieces out of the decorative fabric, 4" wide by 10" long. Fold one of the pieces lengthwise, wrong sides together. Sew ½ inch from the raw edge, leaving a 1" gap. Repeat with the other piece. Fill the epaulettes with fiberfill. The eraser end of a pencil is helpful in shoving the stuffing in. Sew the gaps closed.

Sewing the Kids' Renaissance Tunic

All seam allowances are ½". Fold one of the sleeves in half lengthwise, right sides together and stitch the underarm seam. Press the seam open. Pin the epaulette to the top of the sleeve, matching the center of the epaulette to the center top of the sleeve. Baste in place. Repeat with the other sleeve. Stitch lace around the bottom of each sleeve.

Match the shoulders of the front and back of the tunic together, right sides facing. Stitch the shoulder seams and press open.

To finish the neckline, press the neckline under ¼" and then an additional 3/8". Stitch in place. Sew a length of lace to the neckline to trim it.

Finish the back seam by pressing the opening in ¼" and then an additional 3/8" as for the neck. Stitch in place. Sew a snap to the back top of the neck to provide a closure for the garment.

Sew the side seams together, right sides together. Press open.

Pin the sleeves in place in the armholes, right sides together. Open the armholes if needed to allow more room and ease. Baste, try for fit, and then sew in place. Press the seams towards the sleeves.

To hem the garment, turn under ½" and then an additional 5/8", and then stitch in place. Your kids' renaissance tunic is now complete.

How to Wear the Renaissance Tunic

A black turtleneck looks great under this kids' tunic. A pair of dark sweatpants or leggings, dark socks and solid colored shoes or boots will give the child a complete medieval-renaissance look. Older kids may enjoy wearing a leather belt with a play sword. See my article on making a Renaissance hat for a great accessory to complete the look.

Variations

Omit the lace, and topstitch with gold or contrast thread at the neck and cuffs, or sew a few rows of gold braid at the cuffs and bottom.

For a princess gown, add additional length to the bottom of the tunic, and sew as described. Add a row of snaps all the way down the back.

Make a money and treasure pouch from leftover fabric to hang at the waist for an additional Renaissance accessory.