Nettle tunic

[Dreadhead]

I've been working a lot on my Pictish attire this last year, and recently made this tunic.

It's made from Irish nettle fabric which was a birthday gift, entirely sewn by hand using the same fibres pulled from the fabric (thanks for the advice Toddy )

What makes it Pictish rather than Saxon or Norse is the design of the side gore's which I've interpreted from tunics seen on Pictish stones, most notably the golspie man.

I'd originally wanted it as an under tunic, but the fabric is quite thick and heavyweight so it's an outer tunic.

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[CLEM]

That's excellent that is, impressive as all ways

 

[Everything Mac]

Very impressive indeed.

Pardon the obvious question but is the fabric rough or quite smooth?

All the best
Andy

 

[Muddypaws]

That's rather excellent! I hope you will keep us updated on the performance and durability of the nettle fabric.

 

[snappingturtle]

Nettle fabric...what the hell!! that is an ace tunic! and I like your cat, that face! its like, hay I'm not doing any thing..... ho and by the way this thing your working on its mine but you know that already!

 

[Janne]

During WW2 nettle fiber was used by the Germans to make bandages.
I yhink your tunic is really neat!

 

[Tengu]

Your going to have to get a VR installed so I can pet your cat.

 

[oldtimer]

Now our cat wants one.

 

[vestlenning]

Very nice, good work!

 

[Dreadhead]

Very impressive indeed.

Pardon the obvious question but is the fabric rough or quite smooth?

All the best
Andy

It's difficult to say, it's soft but also quite thick and tough. I need to wash it a few times to see how it holds up. One thing i did notice is that the ends unravel super easily, I would have preferred to wrap the hem over twice but it would have been too thick and bunched the shape out too much so lets hope my hems stay in ok.

 

[Everything Mac]

Fair enough. I guess time will tell.
All the best
Andy

 

[Tengu]

It must have been pricey.

 

[spandit]

It must have been pricey.

I bet he got stung on the cost

 

[Dreadhead]

The fabric is not as pricey as you would think.

I've had the tunic out a few times, but need t see how it holds up with heavy use

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[Toddy]

It's difficult to say, it's soft but also quite thick and tough. I need to wash it a few times to see how it holds up. One thing i did notice is that the ends unravel super easily, I would have preferred to wrap the hem over twice but it would have been too thick and bunched the shape out too much so lets hope my hems stay in ok.

If it becomes an issue, I can show you how to stabilise them. It's not quick, but it works. It's basically masses of tiny little backstitches.
What would work more simply would be to cut a narrow bias strip of fine linen and sew that onto the fold over and then herringbone that onto the nettlefabric and cover the raw edge that way.
The other thing you might do is turn them outwards and cover them in tablet braid.

 

[Dreadhead]

If it becomes an issue, I can show you how to stabilise them. It's not quick, but it works. It's basically masses of tiny little backstitches.
What would work more simply would be to cut a narrow bias strip of fine linen and sew that onto the fold over and then herringbone that onto the nettlefabric and cover the raw edge that way.
The other thing you might do is turn them outwards and cover them in tablet braid.

Ooo that's a good idea aye, I'll see how it goes but I have a feeling it's going to need attention

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[Dreadhead]

A few more photos of this being used. It's holding up well so far as a thick outer layer but with the loose weave isn't great protection against the elements wind cuts right through sadly

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[Janne]

Impressive!
Could you line it with a tighter weave fabric?

 

[Dreadhead]

Impressive!
Could you line it with a tighter weave fabric?

It's already very thick and heavy. I thought about lining it for a cloak, but it seems silly when wool will perform so much better. I wear a linen or wool tunic under the nettle depending on the weather. But so far it is pretty hard wearing which I like

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[TinkyPete]

Great looking tunic