TUNIC SIZES

[Crispvs]

"For those who seek to avoid this effect, it helps to cut your fabric on the bias. Prior to cutting, turn the fabric 45 degrees so that the threads don't run vertically and horizontally, instead they run diagonally. Structurally the fabric cannot support itself as well and falls better, especially into folds. There can be slightly more waste in the cutting, but for some the results are worth it. "

This is certainly interesting as an example of how to tailor fabric but is it how the Romans did it? I think not.

As far as I have always understood the Romans tended to weave their clothes on the the loom and then simply join them at the seams. Unless the tunic was a cut up second hand one such as Graham described above there would be no cause to cut the fabric at all. Therefore the idea of cutting on the bias is a non starter - the Romans simply don't seem to have done things like that. Even if a tunic had sleeves, there is a good chance that they would have been part of the shape originally woven on the loom and then, as usual simply joined along the side seams with the rest of the tunic.

Crispvs