Are you interested in the viking age, but wonders how to learn more? Browsing pinterest on all lovely photos, but thinking that everything might not be historical? Here’s some really good links and reading for you! (And no, of course you don’t have to exercise your hobby the most historical way possible- but it’s always interesting to know-how)
Susanna Broome is a great tip if you want patterns and reading about pattern construction. Her page includes lots of good-to-know, as well as patterns for sale, both in english and swedish. She is both historical well-read, as well as daring to say “I did this, we don’t know if that is the correct way, but it´s working and gives you a nice outfit”.
Viking clothing (Thor Ewing) is a good read. Everything might not be historical accurate since he is making conclusions- but it makes the book interesting for reenactors and not just a list of different finds.
Pinterest is both very good, and quite dangerous. Lots of pretty clothes, lots of fantasy, lots of guesses. But also lots of finds and photos from museum and databases, good quality handcraft and historical interpretations. Look for Viking Finds rather than just “vikings”, archeological material, posts about what have been found and were, and pair it with written sources.
For viking finds of metal, ceramics and the like, different museums offers online databases. For example, I found one of the original tortoise brooches (that I use in my outfit) on the Västernorrlands Länsmuseum which is only a short trip from my home.
Good luck with your reading, and please write a comment if you have any more interesting reading tip to share!
During Hägnans Medeltidsdagar in Luleå this summer, (that the local SCA group Frostheim organized) I had the over all responsibility to make the handcraft camp work out well. We had a camp outside (or inside if the weather was bad) with different kinds of handcrafts that each participant brought (so you could do whatever was in your interest and current project, as well as trying out some new things others had.) My work was mostly about saying “yes, good job!” and checking that the guard schedule was working. And reminding people of lunch – lunch is important!
Basically, it’s not that much work – happy handcrafters of different kinds gather and sit down during the days to craft, talk and show different kinds of handicraft to interested visitors. I usually try to make them bring many different things to work with, and to show different stages in the handcrafting process so that visitors can grasp what it really is about. Good ways of doing this is showing step-to-step pictures or unfinished objects, talk about the handicraft, lay out your tools etc. People get really interested when handcrafting is actually done – my love even got attention for winding yarn by hand when he sat down and helped me…
I also brought my market shop with me; but as usual I’m just not that interested in selling things from a specific place, when there is an opportunity to go around, talking handicraft, taking photos, sewing on projects and drinking coffee. So my market stall was mostly empty (but my friends checked it for me – thanks!) Anyway, it is good to have the shop with me because it usually spread the costs and make me afford all the traveling expenses.
Johan and Erik from Trix were performing just behind us during the week- first class entertainment while you are sewing!
I really recommend visiting handcrafting areas if you are a visitor on a medieval/viking market. Bring a project, some snack or just questions about different handcrafts and you will be almost sure to find someone who is willing to share and talk about how things are done.
This apron dress is really simple and easy to sew together- perfect if you want to save fabric, try to hand stitch your first garment, or just want to try out a looser fit on an apron dress.
The description is based on the fact that you have a fabric that is approximately 150 cm wide, and the dress in the picture is about 130 cm long. If your fabric width is different, you will have to redraw the pattern pieces and probably piece the dress together with more gores. I show you a way to make the skirt fuller with a small gore on the drawing below. The method can be used for larger gores also. B = back of the dress, F = front.
Customize the measurements according to your own measurements. The amount of fabric you need depends on your measurements + how long you want the dress to be. On the pattern diagram, 1 square = 10 cm, so it takes 2.2m of fabric to make the dress to my measurements. Draw a separate paper sketch before you begin so you will understand how the pieces are laid out!
This description is mostly about the pattern-making assembly. If you want to know more about seams and techniques, check out my other descriptions and tips on the blog.
Start with calculating your measurements, and draw the pattern on paper. The dress consists of an entire front piece (F), and a two-piece back piece (B) that is laid out on the folded fabric. To get some extra fullness in the dress hem you can cut it according to the suggestion in the picture (the back piece is then cut in the bottom with a small gore).
Measure around the bust/widest part of your upper body = the measurements on the narrowest part of the dress: split the measure in two to make the front and back. Remember to add seam allowance; 1-2 cm on each side. The measures on the pattern are approximately 90 cm to fit me (40 cm on the front and 50 cm on the back piece). Because the dress does not start in the middle of the bust, but a bit above, you get enough space to move and dress/undress easily even if the measure is a little less than your widest circumference (I have 93 cm over my bust).
The length of the dress; measure from the armpit and as far down as you want the dress to go. Add seam allowance of about 4 cm. In the picture, the pieces are 130 cm long. The width of the dress hem becomes 2 * the total width of the fabric so 2 * 150 = 300 cm.
Once you have cut out your pieces; sew the back piece in the middle, then sew on gores if you made any. Bast the front and back together and try; cut out a little for the armpit if you want, and mark with pins where your straps should be attached (I usually like to wear them in the same position where I have my bra straps, I guess my shoulders are used to that.)
Sew the sides together, press and fold the seams, whip stitch them down to one side, and finish the hems by folding them once (on a thicker fabric) or twice (on a more lightweight fabric) and whipstitch them. Finish with sewing on thin fabric straps (I usually fold mine twice towards each other, whip stitch them together and then sew them on the garment. Then you are finished!
I really recommend buying a lightweight, more loosely woven fabric for this dress. Sturdier wools will not fall as nice and might feel like you are moving around inside a tent-like garment…
Åh, äntligen en ny tutorial! Efter att tredje vännen frågat hur jag gjort min nya hängselkjol (som inte är så ny längre, den är nästan två år) så fick jag äntligen energi till att göra den här beskrivningen. Konstruktionen är verkligen superenkel, bekväm och tygeffektiv. Perfekt till dig som vill spara tyg, sy för hand eller bara göra en lösare hängselkjol.
Beskrivningen bygger på att du har ett tyg som är ca 150 cm brett, och kjolen på bilden blir ca 130 cm lång. Anpassa måtten efter dina egna mått. Tygmängden som går åt beror på dina mått + hur lång kjol du vill ha. På bilden är 1 ruta = 10 cm, så det går alltså åt 2,2 m tyg till mina mått. Rita ut en egen skiss på rutat papper innan du börjar så kommer du förstå hur bitarna hänger ihop!
Den här beskrivningen utgår mest från den mönstertekniska hopsättningen- om du vill veta mer om sömmar och tekniker kan du kika på mina andra beskrivningar och sytips här på bloggen =)
Räkna först ut dina mått, och rita upp mönstret på rutat papper. Hängselkjolen består av ett helt framstycke, och ett tvådelat bakstycke som läggs ut lite omlott på dubbelvikt tyg. För att få lite extra vidd i kjolen så kan du skarva den enligt förslaget på bilden (bakstycket är alltså skarvat i nederkant med en liten kil).
Mått runt bysten/bredaste delen av bröstkorgen=måttet på kilens smalaste del: dela i två och fördela på bak och framstycke. Kom ihåg att lägga till sömsmån. På bilden är måttet ca 90 cm (40 cm på framstycket och 50 cm på bakstycket). Eftersom hängselkjolen inte börjar mitt på bysten, utan en bit ovanför, får du vidd nog till att röra dig och ta på/av kjolen enkelt.
Längd på kjolen; mät från armhålan och så långt ned du vill att kjolen ska gå. Lägg till sömsmån på ca 4 cm. På bilden är styckena 130 cm långa.
Kjolfållens vidd blir 2*tygets totala bredd så 2*150=300 cm.
När du har klippt ut dina bitar så kan du först skarva bakstycket mitt i, sedan sy på ev kilar i nederkanten. Tråckla ihop fram och bakstycket med varandra och prova; klipp ur lite för armhålan om du vill och markera var hängslen ska fästas.
Sy ihop sidorna, fäll sömmarna och fålla alla kanter. Avsluta med att sy på hängslen- klart!
This summer’s calendar is getting fuller and fuller. But after the middle of August, things seems to calm down. Where are you going this summer? Do you have any particular events or markets that is “too good to miss”?
Last weekend me and sweetheart went to a really good SCA event with over 200 people, lots of fun happenings, new friends and a good party. Our group Gyllengran arranged everything, though we only helped out on some small tasks. And, of course there was a tournament, won by Duke Siridean MacLachlan and Lady Jahanara. (Drachenwald crown tournament can be equaled with EM for you non-Sca people who wants to now). I had my shop with me so most of the time was spent selling stuff and talking to new and old friends, but I managed to take some photos from the event.
Handcrafted Historys shop with lots of handcrafting material, accessories for both medieval and viking outfits, some tutorials, jewelry and second hand stuff. My friend B sold stuff to the right, and Kerstin from Medeltidsmode sold her nice fabrics on the far end. Of course I didn’t need anything so I didn’t buy any fabric. I just bought a small piece for a very important but for now secret project…
To keep warm I wore my new houppelande dress, hand sewn in green wool, lined with silk inside the sleeves and trimmed with silk at the bottom. The front is trimmed with rabbit fur that I bought from a woman who breed rabbits for food and fur in her home (she takes good care of the animals, and the tanning is made eco-friendly. For me it’s really important were I get the fur from, since I’m an animal lover and strongly against any cruelty).
On my head, a 15th century hairdo and also my 16th c yellow gollar, lined with some more fur from the same as above, to keep me warm.
Banquet hall is getting prepared and decorated.
Some fighting outdoors with a really big audience.
J & Bs son had a really cute hat to keep warm, and of course a handsewed viking outfit to match his parents.
K looking awesome in her new trossfrau outfit!
My love in the middle, looking as if he had some mischief planned.
I forgot to ask for their names, but I met this really nice couple and look at her amazing headwear! Wow!
This will now turn into an inspirational blog post since people during the afternoon started to change into their party outfits. There were so much nice clothes and handcraft everywere, so I just had to leave my shop with K some time to be able to take photos (no, I didn’t have a chance to take everyones picture but I wish I did). If you know the SCA names of the persons, or the ones that are behind this really awesome outfits- please leave a comment on the post!
The event took place in a really big school, and just as we used to sit around the floors during the breaks when we were in school, some took up small picnics with handcraft during the event.
Ds party outfit, an Italian 15th century I believe.
Well done and awesome 14th century outfit.
There will be a part 2 with more photos, as soon as I have had time to sort them out. Hang in!
(And as usual, if you don’t want to appear here, just send me a notice and I will remove you from the blog. You are also welcome to use the photos you appear on, for private use only, as long as you link to the blog and write out me, Linda, as the photographer.)
I’ve been working on this new booklets for months now, and now they are finally done and ready to send out. I know that many of you readers have asked me about new tutorials, preferably in English, but the truth is that tutorials takes a lot of time to make. I’m counting on around 8 h/tutorial and that doesn’t include the time it takes to handcraft the actual things. As you can imagine it’s quite impossible for me to continue to make a lot of tutorials for free, though there will be some new ones at the blog this year.
If you like the tutorials page and want to support it, or if you want to learn more about sewing, I can offer these new booklets as a way of doing that. They have basically the same structure as my online tutorials, but are even more hands-on and easy-following with text, pictures and useful tips. I include both instructions for hand sewing and machine sewing in each one, and you don’t need any previous sewing experience. They also include patterns in full size and a list of what you need for each project.
I’ll put them here, but you can also buy them on my facebook page or at my Etsy shop (for shipments outside Sweden).
Prices: 5 E/piece + 2 E shipping (so for two 5+5+2 E and so on) Sv: 50 kr + 15 kr frakt inom Sverige.
Oh, look! Some more photos from the autumn market at Årsunda vikings. It really was such an awesome and inspiring event so I wanted to share it with you as much as I can!
The amber viking dress.
R in his viking outfit, were most of it is handstitch by him
Cooking without digging a hole in the ground
Hanging out by the house
What a nice tent and camp!
Look at the red shoes- so awesome!
H playing games
Me and M trying to be still long enough for taking a photo.
We happened to wear matching outfits. I’m blaming it on both of us having really good taste in fabrics…
Idag blir det ett kort inlägg, jag är på resande fot för lite materialinköp till framtida kurser, umgänge med nya och gamla vänner och sömnad hela helgen lång!
Är du intresserad av vikingatid? Då har Burr på Historiska fynd gjort en samling mycket läsvärda artiklar som handlar om smycken och dräkt av olika slag. Perfekt för dig som funderar på vad du vill skaffa till din vikingadräkt eller vill veta mer. Bra läsning med massor av källor!
Autumn meeting at Årsunda with market, cooking over the fire, coffedrinking, chatting with old and new friends, party with lots of food, songs, bonfire in the night… What more could you wish for?
This last autumn we visited Årsunda vikings for a viking weekend. One of the best things with late autumn and early spring events is that it’s cold enough to actually wear all your layers of viking clothes. Which is both cozy and pretty! So this is a photo post with lots of viking inspiration for you – maybe to make some clothes of your own, or just dream away for the event season to begin?
I call this my amber viking outfit. The garments are both new and old, mixed together for warmth and for the lovely colours.
M/G and M (all my friends names start at the letter M?) in their warm outfits
M in her newly made, hand stitched outfit.
M/G in her party outfit
The market area during the day, were both trading, games and good conversation happened all at once. The tents were put up during Friday dag and evening, and on Saturday the area was filled with people cooking breakfast, playing and talking. Magic!
By the camp fire. Crafting, writing new songs and eating some lunch. And coffee.
(No, coffee is not viking age, but it’s really good for keeping the mood up and making new friends)
M and his very fancy beard. The tablet woven trim is made by the other M
View of the market area from the house
Met some new friends =)
Fresh food waiting to be cooked, outside one of the tents.
And lots of nice camps!
These group also had some nice ceramics for sale. I really like this kind of markets were hanging out with old and new friends is the most important, and bringing your wares for sale is just a reason to be there…
Keep in touch- there will be more photos from Årsunda this spring. If you appear in a photo and doesn’t want to, or if you like a photo and would like to use it, send me a mail and we’ll work something up!
