+1  A: 

The tabs are arranged by the TabControl's HeaderPanel. You need to replace the HeaderPanel to change the layout. It seems like the only way to do this is with a ControlTemplate. Here is an article that will show you how to do that: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/WPF/WpfSqueezeTabPanel.aspx.

hwiechers
A: 

I use a pattern described here and happy with it!

Sergey Aldoukhov