The Simple Tabbard

Okay, get ready to make the simplest garment in this entire web site! The tabbard is sort of a smock or apron for men. It's basically a big rectangle with a whole for the neck. A servant and page would wear a tabbard marked with their master's livery and a knight would wear one in his own family colors over his armor at tournaments.

Fabric

Any fabric will work with this pattern, heavier fabrics work especially well. You'll need about 2 yards total, maybe a little more if your gentleman is large. Tabbards look extra nice when made out of two different color fabrics. Get 1 yard (or more) of each color. You'll also need 2 yards of gosgrain ribbon in a matching color.

Measurements

Measure the width of his shoulders from shoulder tip to shoulder tip (A) and the length of his torso from shoulder to mid-thigh (B).

Pattern

Take a look at the basic pattern piece on the right (top), simple, eh? The width of one pattern piece is half the width of his shoulder measurement (half of A). The length of one pattern piece is his torso length measurment (B). Cut out four pieces (2 in each color if you're using the particoloured variation), then lay them out as shown in the assembly diagram. Sew together the shoulder and center seams (the seams marked with X's). Hem the side, bottoms and neck by rolling the fabric over twice and sewing with a straight stitch. Cut the ribbon into four pieces and attach each piece at waist height at each side seam and you're done.

Variations

Pictures of different tabbards. (Click on image to see larger version.)

Basic Pattern Piece

Assembly Diagram