How to Make a LARP Tabard

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Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape

  • 2 1/2 to 3 yards fabric

  • Tailor's chalk

  • Scissors

  • Pins

  • Sewing machine

Every knight needs a tabard.

A tabard is a sleeveless tunic, open at the sides, worn over armor or other clothes. For Live-Action Role Playing (LARP) purposes, it is a basic form of medieval costuming and can be created easily. A tabard can be as simple or elaborate as your costume needs; from a simple, rough, single-color tabard for a peasant or monster, to a multi-colored tabard emblazoned with a coat of arms for a knight or noble.

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Step 1

Measure the width across your chest from armpit to armpit using the measuring tape. This is the minimum width you want for your tabard.

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Step 2

Measure the length down from the top of your shoulder to mid-thigh using the measuring tape. This is the length of your tabard. This can be adjusted to be shorter or longer based on taste.

Step 3

Take the width measurement and measure this width onto your cloth. Mark this measurement with the tailor's chalk. Cut the fabric using the scissors to this width measurement.

Step 4

Take the length measurement and measure this length onto your cloth. Mark this measurement with the tailor's chalk. Using that mark, measure out the length onto the fabric again, so you have now doubled your initial length measurement onto the cloth.

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Step 5

Cut the fabric using the scissors at your second mark, then fold the cut fabric in half at the first mark.

Step 6

Draw a half circle in on the top middle of the fabric using the tailor's chalk.

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Step 7

Cut the half circle out of the top fold of the fabric, creating a circle. This is where your head will go through the tabard.

Step 8

Try the tabard on, if the hole for your head is too small, enlarge it slightly with the scissors.

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Step 9

Fold all the rough edges over and pin them.

Step 10

Sew the pinned edges using the sewing machine to create a uniform hem.

Tip

Use a belt around your midsection to properly keep the tabard in place. You can use fabric paints or iron-on appliques to create a coat of arms on the front of the tabard.

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