Sewing help with tunic

[saiagoh]

Ok, the good news...my tunic is almost done, but the neck band on this thing eludes me...

all right! how in the great googly moogly does it go on the kimono/tunic/whatever you call it anymore, oi! O.o

how does sew it on there...HELP!!! i'm needing seriously help on this...that is the one little thing that has always gotten to me about the dumb tunic...how the neck band goes on it! so how does it go on there?

HELP ME!!!!

confused in kansas...Saiagoh^.^

[Xana]

I hear ya bigtime! That was the worst part about making a tunic. Here's how it's done:

You cut the neckband on a bias, all in one piece. Then work it around the neck first, then down both sides of the tunic. You also have to fold under about 1/4 of an inch on both sides to get that smooth look. Make sure to cut enough to also fold under, and leave a couple of extra inches on the bottom of each side for hemming. You can always trim it if you have too much.

And that's how it's done! It takes patience. I did two of them, and both time I wanted to wring the material! But once it's done, it's done, and you'll be glad it looks so good!

Any questions?

[saiagoh]

Xana,
as far as pinning the neck band to actually sew it, which sides are pinned to which ie...wrong side-right or right sided to wrong...HELP!

what is holding me up is the where and which of pinning the piece. in layman's terms: would you sew it like you're sewing a collar for a shirt or something like scrubs for a nurse?

how do i pin this bad boy!!!

Going crazy in the Great Plains...Saiagoh

[saiagoh]

and another thing...what kind of stitch should be used on the collar? a basic baste stitch, zig-zag, or what? i ask because the tunics i have seen look as though a serger did the sewing, you know giving the professional store bought look. i mean all i have is a brother sewing machine with the limited...home ec...type settings if you catch my drift? anywayzie, please tell me what i need to do.

With much confusion and confusion...Saiagoh

[Xana]

I never saw no Jedi costume with a zig-zag stitch, so just a plain straight one should work?

Do you have a pattern there? For the band? It's not really a collar on these tunics, it's a band.

I always used fabric that was ok on either side, so whatever looks right to you.

I don't know how to desribe the rest. Nova's gone for a week, otherwise she may be able to help more.

Can anyone help here?

[saiagoh]

luckily i did manage to get my tunic sewn last night and it came out pretty decent for a first time thing and as a rush job, but it looks like it has been through the clone wars and back again. i have decided to dub it my "battle damage" costume until i can get into the swing of making a better tunic:)

and i am still working on a alien costume...but then again who isn't! ;D

[Schph Gochi]

sorry I was a little late on this...yes...the neckband is a real @*%(#%

I just started work on a new tunic set (again....lol) because my original is really getting ratty....anyway...I ended up making my own neck band pattern using the pattern for the tunic and just making the neckband track the same curve as the tunic front...I traced the tunic outline on a large piece of white paper....then cutting it around 4" wide.....it seems to be working really well....I sewed the neckband on last night....because the pattern that I am using too has a curved tunic front but the pattern piece for the neckband is completely straight......

I was also having problems on a previous tunic and what I did was bring the pattern and what I had done to the local Joanne's Fabrics...there was a really nice lady in the cutting department who sews and was able to explain a few things....so if all else fails...check out the local fabric store...there is bound to be a friendly employee that will help explain too....

[ALDAN JII]

truely the neck band is the culprit for me as well
and the last tunic i did, looked as if it were in the clone wars arena battle, just when i had it, the cheap bleeping material ripped like paper, aw well the material just ran me 8 bux, so not to displeased there with price, but the tunic it self nothing salavgable, so i trashed it


i was using a medium brown vinyl for the neck bad on that one, as well the shoulder covers,(no not the tabbards/shoulder stoles, more like shoulder pads, to cover the shoulder seam, with a round lip and it also folded over my shoulders,, but as i stated that one is trashed, so i'm waiting to buy myself some good heavyduty grey 100% cotton linen material, and yes more brown vinyl for the ares mentioned above......... but the tow that didnt' hit the trash bin, well those are my mistakes i have to modify new tunic from, the learb from your mistakes deal,lol
, but i do think i'm pretty much done as a tailor, as i have stated before this will be my last tunic wether it breaks me or makes me..............

[saiagoh]

i was just happy to actually get this tunic done before halloween...because today after work i am setting out to make my obi, yay! life is good when you find more use for scraps of material:)


thank you god! yipee!!!! amen! ;D

[Schph Gochi]

and I just re-read my post above....gotta admit...it makes no sense.....unless of course you watched me do it....lol....

[saiagoh]

ok the good news on my outfit...tunic and obi done...and like i said before they looklike they have been through world war three or at the clone wars n back! or in other words..i am rushing yes, but think about it...Halloween comes when you least ecept it!

besides the sooner i finish this one the sooner i can start on my own little cat/alien jedi i've been itching to start!

ttfn!

[Xana]

ttfn?

[amber]

She means "ta-ta for now". LOL

[Xana]

Oh, ok. lol!

[Nova Darklighter]

Sorry, I was off, and when I got back I had a problem here and wasn't able to log in, sounds as though you got through it. The 1st one is the hardest. I do use an overlock machine (serger) because I have one, but there are many ways of achieving a finish that looks clean & professional without one, as you'll never see one used in a high class designer, couture house. Most often you would stich it to the neckline then fold in and hand finish the inside, or machine finish the inside, or, fold, press (overcast the edges with a zig zag stich) stich zig zaged edges to tunic edge, and then finish with a topstich (in the ditch) around the edge, ans several other ways, but you got there! Bravo! Most important things I find work for me, cut on bias, I overlock folded edges to tunic, then stich in ditch to keep those edges in place (press them in the direction of the tunic, then topstich them close to the seam, prevents future curly seams) You can also sandwhich the tunic edge inside the edges of the band if you want a really clean pro look on the inside (this is a more couture finish, takes a bit of extra time)