24 hours to go

I wish I could remember how I discovered this. All I know is that it was somewhere on Facebook. But planning for the Calontir Clothing Challenge has pretty much consumed my brain (when not at work) for the last few weeks, and while I think I’ve got a handle on it, I’m not sure I’m ready. Not that it matters; the Challenge starts on October 1st and I mean to be ready to put shears to fabric and cut my first garment.

My plan is to make a set of Viking Era men’s clothes to fit me: a linen shirt, some sort of leg covering (either trousers or braies and hose), a wool tunic, and a silk-lined wool coat. I will also need to make some sort of accessory, and I’m considering trying to do some sort of boneworking, and make a belt buckle and strap end (with accompanying belt, which is the easy part), or maybe a comb. I could also fashion a knife based on a store-bought Mora blade, and make a sheath for it.

I’ve never made a men’s Viking Era shirt before, nor successful trousers. I’m not actually that fussed about it. I know the shapes I need to make; I just need to make them and sew them together. It’s going to be fun… right?

Right?

(Of course it is. Stay tuned…)

(Photo of green-dyed bone belt buckle from York Museums Trust)