Anybody here proficient in making Plains war shirts? (Need help)

[AnotherHawkenGuy]

I need help as I’ve run into a little bit of confusion and was hoping someone who has constructed one before could offer a little bit of insight. Im making the style that is sewn up the sides instead of the primitive kind that is tied with thongs. My questions are, am I supposed to leave some sort of arm hole below the sleeve on the main body? How many inches is it supposed to be? My pattern doesn’t say but offers a drawing. I heard they’re there to slip your arms into to draw a bow faster while on horse back traditionally. Can I just sew it up to the arm sleeve like normal instead? Is that traditional too? Lastly, I’m making the shirt long, almost to the knee. Should I stop sewing somewhere past the waist for movement or??? Sorry I have a lot of questions.

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

Yes, traditionally, some shirts leave an opening below the sleeve on the main body. This armhole was often used for ease of movement (but also permits airflow), especially for drawing a bow or handling weapons on horseback. If the pattern doesn’t specify, you could leave a 4-6 inch slit below the sleeve as a general rule of thumb. However, it’s not mandatory—sewing it fully to the sleeve is also acceptable if you don’t need that functionality or prefer a cleaner look.

If you’re making the shirt long, it’s a good idea to leave a slit past the waist (similar to a tunic style). This provides more movement, especially if the shirt is knee-length. The length of the slit depends on how much freedom of movement you want, but a common range is to leave about 10-12 inches unsewn at the bottom.

Ultimately, it depends on how traditional you want to keep it versus making it functional for your needs. If you’re recreating a historical garment, I’d stick closer to tradition. If it’s for practical use, adjust as you see fit.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask more questions, and I’ll do my best to answer them for you.