Project: Kragelund Tunic.

I finished it on Sunday (Nov 2).

The tunic is made with 100% wool flannel in a dark brown color, and is completely stitched by hand. I drafted the pattern to make a replica of a tunic found in Denmark, which was dated to the 1100s. As you can see it's a little too big for me, especially with the sleeves being too long, but that doesn't really matter. I tried to make the measurements match fairly closely to the measurements of the original; however, it's not an exact replica.

The tunic features a bird motif embroidered near the neckline. The bird motif was based on fragments of embroidery, also found in Denmark, dated to the 900s. I have also done simple embroidery along the wrists in an x-chain, and I have topstitched most of the seams with a contrasting thread for further decoration. All the seams are finished on the inside, and the neckline is finished with facing, and topstitched along the edge.

I usually hate warm colors, especially orange, brown, and yellow, so it's strange that I chose that scheme for this tunic, which I will probably wear a lot. I think I subconsciously hoped that the warm colors would make the tunic actually be warmer.

This is my entry for the A&S competition coming up in the Province at Toys for Tots. I have to figure out how to do documentation for it. Obviously I've done research, and I know that it's period, but I don't have any idea how this documentation is supposed to be presented. So far I've basically written a short essay explaining all about the original coat and how I've based my tunic off of it, with a "bibliography" of the websites where I got my info (and the websites cite books which publish the archeological finds). I hope that's a correct way to do it. The essay even has pictures and charts! If that's not documentation, I don't know what is. But since I've never done this before, or seen it done, I don't really know what they are expecting. I guess it's not a bad thing if I go overboard.

After the competition is over, I'm going to shorten the sleeves at the very least, to make it fit me better. I will also add in pocket slits. And I will probably give it to Collin when he comes back and becomes a Viking with me.

If I use this pattern again to make something for myself, I'll keep the width in the body, but I will make the sleeves shorter, and I'll create armscyes to make it less baggy around the shoulders.