I'm making a medieval T-Tunic, where the body panel is all one piece without shoulder seams. I've started to experiment with a mock up, and something's become apparent... Due to a medical issue, I have a rather large belly. Like, "is she 6 months pregnant?" large (I like to tell people that some people are pear shaped, some are apple shaped, and I? I'm a cantaloupe :)
So here's my confusion: A tunic with equal length front and back body panels rides up in the front. When I try on my mock up, there's a good 4-5 inch difference in the distance from floor to hem. Now, I know that I could do something like cut the front longer, and then either gradually curve its sides up to meet the side gore, or I could make the gore do that work to bridge the 4-5 inches as it joins the front and back, or both. I'm sure I could figure something out, but it's left me wondering...what's historically accurate? I have yet to see anything mention that this was ever done, or that anyone recreating such a tunic had to make an adjustment like that. That's confusing because it would seem to me that everyone would have some degree of difference between front and back unless they have virtually no butt, no chest, no belly...just completely flat and equal. I guess I've just never thought of it before.
I guess my question is, what methods were/are used to make sure the hem was even all around, what's appropriate for accuracy, and why in the world hasn't anyone mentioned this anywhere? Sure there are busty ladies out there with the same issue?