Image from http://www.instructables.com/id/Viking-shoes/I am in love with these shoes. They are based on shoes worn during the Viking period and... I.want.some. I have found instructions online for how to make them (http://www.instructables.com/id/Viking-shoes/) but for someone who is only just starting to come to terms with their sewing machine, the idea of making my own shoes kind of freaks me out a little. On the other hand, it would be a great achievement to make my own shoes and also they do look relatively (deceptively?) easy - kind of like an elongated version of a suede coin pouch I bought while I was in Germany last year. There is always the coward's way out, of course...I've found an equally lovely pair on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/listing/91919940/jels-nordic-bronze-age-handmade-leather?ref=pr_shop)
Do you like them? Would you have a go at making them yourself? Perhaps you've already done it?
Hm - I think as a Viking in cold and wet Northern Europe you would get wet feet in these shoes... maybe Doc Martens or JAck Wolfskin are better for the modern Viking? ;-)
ReplyDeleteTo Bodecea: What appears to be thick wool socks in the photo would actually help a lot.
ReplyDeleteFeronia: As far as I know those are not Viking shoes. The few examples of Viking shoes I know are the Jorvik (York)* and the Hedeby shoes which I can't find an example of online. If you want to drop an arm and a leg "Stepping Through Time"** is a really good book that catalogues several centuries worth of shoes and boots in Europe. According to the book "Viking Clothing"*** the Norse who settled in Ireland took on some of their fashions including wearing a type of shoe with holes in it to allow the water to flow out, which could describe the shoe in the photo.
* The original shoe from york, still with the bone ice skate http://content.espressoeducation.com/espresso/modules/t2_vikings/artefacts/daily_life_at_jorvik/images/photo_1.jpg
** "Stepping Through Time: Archaeological Footwear from Prehistoric Times Until 1800" by Olaf Goubitz ISBN-10: 9089320024 http://www.amazon.com/Stepping-Through-Time-Archaeological-Prehistoric/dp/9089320024/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346706244&sr=8-1&keywords=stepping+through+time
*** "Viking CLothing" by Thor Ewing ISBN-10: 0752435876 http://www.amazon.com/Viking-Clothing-Thor-Ewing/dp/0752435876/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346706384&sr=1-1&keywords=viking+clothing