Viking: A Quick and Dirty Primer on Women’s Viking Garb

I taught a class on Viking women's garb at Harper's Retreat in the Barony of Stonemarche in August 2011, these are my class notes.

The Apron Dress pattern/instructions are here.

 

 

Viking / Norse Underdress:

The “Vigdis” Underdress pattern from Hefdharfru Vigdís Vestfirzka http://www.silverdor.org/viking/underdress.html

This is a conjectured pattern, so there are no period sources. However, the pattern is designed along the same lines as period finds, using a waste-free method of cutting and all straight lines. This pattern can be shortened easily for a man's tunic.

Here's what it will look like when complete:

There are two available layouts included in this post. One is for the dress as outlined on Vigdis’s website and the other is my modification to allow for bigger side gores.

Both layouts use the same measurements and construction techniques.

 

Measure:

1. Shoulder to Floor

 

2. Around Fist + ½ inch

3. Over the shoulder to underarm

4. Underarm width (usually between 6 & 10 inches) divided by 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·      

• To take this measurement, imagine a line coming down from the point where you measured your shoulder to about mid-chest and another coming down your back from your shoulder, measure between these two under your arm

• Don't skimp on this measurement, or you will blow out this seam on a regular basis

5. Shoulder to Shoulder (front and back, use the larger number.

6. Arm length from shoulder

 

 

Add 1 inch to each measurement, this is your seam allowance.

 

To figure how much fabric you need choose a layout:

Layout 1: take measurement (1) and double it

 

 

Layout 2: add measurements 1 and 3 together and multiply by 2.

 

 

Divide by 36 to get your yardage for either layout

 

 

Using me as an example:

 

 

1.      64"

2.      11"

3.      12"

4.      4"

5.      20"

6.      27"

Using Layout 1: 130” or 3 2/3 yards

 

Using Layout 2: 156” or 4 1/3 yards

 

 

To lay out your pattern:

Supplies: You will need a yard stick/measuring tape/piece of string for this as well as a piece of chalk that contrasts with your fabric.

 
1. Take your fabric and fold it in half selvedge to selvedge the short way, then spread it out flat on the floor.
2. Mark everything out like this according to your layout of choice.
3. Then, cut on the chalk lines. Make sure you cut out the neck hole...

Layout 1:

 

 

Layout 2: 

(fold is at the top on this layout as well)

Sewing Directions:

 
1.  Sew the top of the sleeves together along the (6) measurement.
 
2. Sew the gores to the sleeves at the (4) measurement. Be sure you have opposite sleeves here, it can get confusing if you are using fabric without a right and wrong side
 
3.  Finish the neck hole. (Make sure it's big enough to go over your head)
 
4. Sew the gore/sleeve parts to the body of the dress.
 
5.  Sew the sides from wrist to hem.
 
6.  Hem the sleeves.
 
7.  Hem the bottom.

 

Ding! Dress is done!

 

This is a great base layer for so many styles and very fabric efficient. I have several of these that I sleep in at events.

 

For the Apron Dress pattern see this post.

Again, I want to make sure you are aware that the under arm seam can blow out easily if you don't do a couple things 1) Add enough ease. 2) Flat fell your seams in one direction. If you flat fell the seam here open you will regret it.

 

 

For an underdress pattern without this issue look for the Eura  underdress. There is a gore that goes from hem to wrist on that layout and it is also fabric efficient however slightly harder to pattern. I'm sure I'll get to a tutorial on that.

 

Embellishment is perfect for this, decorative seam stitches are perfect and I have one with a blanket stitch around the collar and cuffs. You could also use the herringbone stitch either single or double up and down the seams.

 

 

Herringbone stitch

 

 

Next time: The Viking Overdress/Apron Dress or Smokkr!