How to make a kids' tunic

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one tunic, 120 cm height)

• Main fabric (double gauze, sheeting or linen) — about 110 cm wide × 60 cm (43 × 24 in)
• Fabric for the bias binding — about 40 × 6 cm (or shop-bought tape)
• Sewing thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Kids' clothes” → “Kids' tunic” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the chest, length, hem flare, sleeve length, neckline width and ease. Presets cover heights of 100 to 130 cm.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Lay the pattern on the wrong side and trace both lines. The center line is the fold.
2. Cut the pieces
   Cut the front on the fold and the back on the fold. Cut the front neckline 1.5 cm deeper than the back.
3. Cut the bias
   Cut a 3.5 cm strip at 45° to the grain.
4. Transfer the notches
   Mark the armhole position on the side.

4. Sewing

4-1. Sew the shoulders

1. Place front and back right sides together and sew both shoulders.
2. Zigzag the allowances and press them towards the back.

4-2. Bind the neckline

1. Sew the bias strip round the neckline, right sides together.
2. Clip the allowance, turn the binding to the inside and topstitch.
3. Overlap the start and finish by 1 cm.

4-3. Sleeves and sides

1. Hem the sleeve openings first — they are awkward to reach once the sides are closed.
2. Place front and back right sides together and sew from the sleeve opening down to the hem in one run.
3. The allowance changes direction at the notch, so match the marks before sewing.

4-4. Hem it

1. Fold the hem by 1 cm, then 2 cm, and stitch.
2. The hem is flared, so it resists folding. Press as you go to ease it round.

✏️ Cut the front neckline 1.5 cm deeper than the back. At the same depth it presses on the throat once it is on. The pattern piece is the same for both, so it is the cutting that has to differ — easy to forget.

5. Tips & variations

• Make the set: pair it with the kids' leggings.
• Sleeve length is yours: set it to 0 for sleeveless, or lengthen it for long sleeves.
• The flare: more flare reads more like a dress. About 6 cm moves well.