I Made HUGE Viking Baggy Pants From Hedeby

If you've been to a Viking reenactment, a Rus' reenactment, or really even seen anything Viking themed... pretty much ever, you've probably seen these massive baggy pants.
If you've ever wondered where they come from, what the evidence for them is, and how to make a pair, then wonder no longer! For I, Jimmy, have made a pair of these ridiculous baggy pants, and wish to share my horror and joy with you!
Join me as we look at some sources of information, some evidence from archaeology, picture stones and medieval Islamic writings, and put together a big pair of pants! Because you too can make them! If I can sew these, you can sew these!
They're proper comfy as well.
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[@mildlycornfield]

Please envision a tiny Welsh woman excitedly chanting "big baggy viking pants!!" alone in her bedroom, because that's how I watched this video lol

[@TheWelshViking]

Excellent!

[@Lord_RavnFar_Tannerwise]

Wonder if the big baggy viking pants of their day were seen as like the medieval equivalent of the modern "if he has big shoes/ hands/ ears etc..."🤣🤣🤣

[@sallycassian4494]

@@Lord_RavnFar_Tannerwise - why not? Codpieces -- a later fashion device - totally was.

[@ragnkja]

@@Lord_RavnFar_Tannerwise Anything past a certain point was definitely conspicuous consumption.

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

I am some sort of probably-scandinavian-US-mutt-woman, but I was also chanting _Big baggy viking pantses!_ and now I want to make myself at least one pair. The stupidly hot and humid season is coming and I have a lot of linen in my stash, so it's probably going to happen.

[@voxangelaemortis]

The finished outfit gave me happy flashbacks to a pair of baggy culottes I had as a kid in the 80s. Granted, they were never quite long enough to tuck into my tube socks. Amazing how we have been basically making the same outfit for thousands of years: baggy Rus pants, split-leg "skirts" for riding, harem/hammer pants, etc etc. The color palette definitely helped bring out the 80s vibe for me here. ... And now I have a mental image of some Norse laborer humming Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" while beading, farming, or some such activity.

[@m.maclellan7147]

I've been having the band Madness' video for "Baggy Trousers" in my head off & on in this video !

[@wendynordstrom3487]

@@m.maclellan7147 me too!!

[@Getpojke]

Showing my age a little here, but weren't "Hammer" pants called "Inhibitors" back in the day in the rap community as they were so loose you could conceal weapons in them with no outline showing.

[@Getpojke]

@@m.maclellan7147 As well as Baggy Trousers I had Professor Elemental's "Fighting Trousers" running through my head during the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zpq1hXVje7mAms0

[@lucie4185]

I am a Dane and I love my baggy pants, baggy baggy pants, baggy baggy pants! I'm raiding Jorvik in my pink baggy pants, baggy baggy pants, baggy baggy pants.

[@shellydesormier4646]

Great comment! Should be Jimmy’s theme song...

[@swedneck]

Your.. Kamelåser?

[@TealCheetah]

Don't worry about that waistband snaffu, piecing is period! I love how so many old garments are a case of manipulating squares/rectangles of fabric. The pants look great!

[@johannageisel5390]

You haven't really sewn a garment if you haven't fucked up at one point.

[@solveigw]

Nice trousers! They go very well with your tunic. I don't know what you are going through right now, but we are a lot of people caring about you and rooting for you. Keep up the good work :)

[@cakeeeetime]

Thanks a lot for this video and the link! Jimmy, we are floor trolls. We are asthetic by nature. You are a huge inspiration and I starteted *saving* your videos for rainy days. (Can`t get out of bed, because depression. Go to The Jim to excercise your brain) And with the words of the gladiator of wholsomeness Maksymus: We are ~*Gooooooood eeeenough*~

[@m.maclellan7147]

Another Rachel fan, blowing a big sunny platonic hug your way ! Hope your day becomes wonderful. (Depression SUCKS!)

[@Sincyn241]

I also have such a list, which includes my “chaotic good folks” - Rachel (with copious amounts of Frodo and Binx), Abby, and now Jimmy. I also agreed that floor troll footage is precious and some days “Goooodddd Ennoouugghhh” is the appropriate theme song. Love your post. ❤️

[@Nyctophora]

I hope you feel better! I agree, Jimmy is good for the soul :)

[@cakeeeetime]

I love this community. You guys are so lovely! Thank you :) Yep, I think I'm on the way up. My depression is chronic, so there always be dark, dark moments. Buuut lately things are getting waaaay better. I got into a payed programm to reintegrate into the work place. And I got a medicament that helps me sleep. I didn't now how shitty my sleep was until I sleeped through a night. WOW!

[@kallandar13]

I totally read that with Rachel’s voice in my head! 😂

[@SomasAcademy]

Fun tangential etymology fact, Jimmy's pronunciation of "Khagan" is correct to the Persian version of that word, but the original Turkic version of the term (which I believe would have been used within the Khazar Khaganate, though not necessarily by the Persian/Afghan-Persian author Jimmy talks about) would have instead been "qaɣan," - basically, a hard "k" in place of the guttural "kh," and a guttural "gh" in place of the hard "g".

[@TheWelshViking]

Yes! So pleased you knew this! I went with the Persian pronunciation as that was the word in the text, but I did wonder

[@theghosthero6173]

Nerd( hi ;) )

[@natedill9180]

So no Nordic people or any Europeans had their own pants like this? I’m find that hard to believe I’ve seen many pictures where people have blowsed pants. We’re all similar as a human race nothing new under the sun

[@SomasAcademy]

@@natedill9180 ...what?

[@Eyrenni]

​@@natedill9180 Some of the evidence provided is photos of rune stones. These stones are situated in Nordic countries and would have shown subjects from that region or inspired by the people of that region unless otherwise stated. So yes, this is classified as evidence. It's the same as "why are the subjects in these medieval art pieces that depict biblical times wearing medieval clothes?". Because the artist lived in the Middle Ages and thus used the closest inspiration at hand; what they could see around them. I apologise for the perhaps obvious statment but the people who lived one to more millenium before these artists didn't wear the same clothes as them. So yes, norsemen contemporary to the stones' creation could or would have worn these garments. Without anyone going back in time and coming back to give us an account though, we can only say to 99% certainty at best.

[@dressdeveloper]

Yes! I was waiting for this! Love this piece of experimental archeology. When TV delivers faux leather strap undies, Jimmy delivers the real Viking secret pants. 🥰

[@SirFrederick]

Whispers in Rachel, "Secret Pants"

[@m.maclellan7147]

Whispers in Morgan "VOLUMINOUS Secret Pants!"

[@karlwilhelmmeinert7592]

Whispers in Bernadette, ''Covertible Secret Pants''.

[@jaded_gerManic]

I love the costuming community. 👍🤣🥰

[@matthodek]

Bernadette makes Victorian upper body floof. Jimmy makes Viking lower body floof. It is good these happened far apart in history. I am not sure how the cross-floofination would go...

[@TheWelshViking]

Too floof! Too floof!

[@matthodek]

@@TheWelshViking I would be careful how loudly you say that. Bernadette or Rachael might feel a disturbance in the force...

[@lucie4185]

@@TheWelshViking I believe you know there is no such thing as too much floof!

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

The Too-Floofy is a close relative of the Too-Swishy in the mythological creature taxonomy charts.

[@amberadams9310]

“They didn’t have back stitch!1!!” Yeah I definitely machine sewed my entire Burgundian gown, and anyone who doesn’t like it can stuff it But it wasn’t for a reenactment site, it was just for Halloween and my own enjoyment.

[@ragnkja]

I believe the “rule” is that anyone who criticises the inside of your clothes unprompted owes you dinner 😁 At least that’s what Constance Mackenzie says.

[@amberadams9310]

@@ragnkja I like this answer

[@beth12svist]

@@ragnkja The rule I've seen bandied about which I think is entirely correct in its general approach to human interaction is "if they're standing close enough to see your stitching, they're standing too close, period."

[@ragnkja]

@@beth12svist Definitely true nowadays.

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

And now I will scream _Get out of my dress!_ anytime someone criticizes my stitching 😂

[@Sincyn241]

I love that, in the words of Rachel Maksy, Welsh Jimmy is a floor troll, too!

[@karenl6908]

Yesterday, I heard the song, "Big Butts" while waiting in the bank, and now I can't stop thinking, "I like big pants and I cannot lie", because it's true! I like big pants.

[@AStitchTooFar]

oooh you did a great job on the sewing! great result and I was really intrigued by your explanation of the history. Never occured to me that baggy trousers could be practical, but I do get they would be nice and warm but could be breezy too. Btw. I hope you feel as well as you're looking in this video. Whatever's going on in your life I hope you realise how valued and appreciated you are for what you've brought to people wanting to learn and be entertained :)

[@kitchentroll5868]

Having spent a fair bit of time faffing about with 1000+ year old recipes for food stuffs, I can confidently say there is a general failure of translators to understand the nuances of ancient measuring systems. I have sometimes been left wondering what sort of egg the writer was familiar with when trying mix anything calling for "an egg" of anything. I was some time figuring out that "egg" was a very bad translation of "oke". This is further complicated by the fact that the oft--used "uqiyyah" (also "oke" and "okka") could represent anything from about 40 grams to about one-third of a kg depending where one was standing in the Arabic world. I reckon this "cubit" business is based on a similar slippery slope of bad translation, most likely confusing some measurement with a similar strong regional variance. Also, as an afterthought, having seen your result, I have seen very similar items worn in traditional dress over most of Eastern Europe and central Asia, so I think I can see the Khazar link you mention in the first part. The post credit scene... priceless! 😆

[@Aswaguespack]

Smeese? Smeese? Smeese? Sounds like something from a Monty Python Skit. Smeese!

[@rainydaylady6596]

Or Captain Hook calling for one of his men. 😁

[@Aswaguespack]

@@rainydaylady6596 ooo good One!!

[@bast713]

As a huge fan of baggy pants, yours turned out awesome! That is a lot of fabric. I've made several jumpsuits with baggy legs and they only need about 4 yards for the whole garment, and I'm not a small human 😳 Don't be so hard on yourself about the sewing part. You're running your channel not someone else's. I really hope everyone who watches this understands that as well *glares at the internet in general*.

[@kaytemnorwood]

Hahahahahahahaha I definitely don't always need the aesthetic sewing videos. I do not lead an aesthetic life, so it's nice to see realistic sewing videos.

[@sonipitts]

Okay, I DEFINITELY need a pair of these. Possibly a summer weight linen version, as well. I mean...who doesn't love massive secret pants?!?! Imagine the sheer pocket capacity you could smuggle under those pleats. *smacks pants* "These bad boys can fit so many f'ing snacks in them!"

[@lucie4185]

Hear me out...Mead Pockets!👍

[@sonipitts]

@@lucie4185 A pocket for every flavor! Just be careful not to fall off the longship while fully laden. Although to be fair, I'm sure the entire ship's crew would jump in to save you.🤣

[@m.maclellan7147]

You could smuggle entire cooked chickens, entire cured meats, French loafs, some fruit, dessert AND MEAD in these bad boys ! Jimmy's pants = catering ! ;)

[@barbarapugh5662]

Snacks and weaponry pockets for those sneaky friend or foe last minute social quandaries

[@snazzypazzy]

I'm planning the same thing right now! Imagine how much one can smuggle with these bad guys on it's ideal.

[@johannageisel5390]

Hey, that linen waistband lined in wool looks perfectly like intended when you fold it over the string belt. Your subconscious definitely meant to do it like that. I love the pants. They look great! Absolutely awesome. But did they really not have backstitch in the viking age? This is so hard to believe. When was the backstitch invented?

[@beagleissleeping5359]

Another great video!👍 Here's something that I hope will bring you a laugh. I was watching a video that had a clip from a weather forecast in the UK. It goes along something like, "And partly cloudy skies expected in," turns to map. Is confronted with Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. Turns back to camera with big eyes and stares for about half a second before saying, "Wales." 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Bearleena]

That’s one stunningly fine pair of trousers. Look fabulously comfy too. Look after yourself, we‘re all thinking of you. But I know you’re going to be fine because now you have the Magic Pink Tent Pants as a talisman, bringing success and fame to the wearer…

[@alaskansoldier7661]

This comment literally made my day!

[@paulherman5822]

So... Basically a square metre of cloth for each square centimetre of flesh... 🤔 Sounds like Victorian undergarments. 😁

[@euansmith3699]

The issue with big, baggy, Viking trousers is when you pull them back on a decade later, and they are now skin-tight. "An anonymous text by a Persian Writer of the 10th Century" Did they use emojis? "I am Bumgore, son of Gusset! Look upon my enormous trousers, ye might, and tremble!" Thanks, Jimmy, for another entertaining and informative video.

[@johannageisel5390]

Calories are tiny ancestral spirits that sew your baggy pants tighter at night.

[@m.maclellan7147]

@@johannageisel5390 DAMN THEM ! (SHAKES FISTS). Can't someone make a hex, ward, or sacrificial tableaux to appease them ?! Little buggers have been pestering me no end recently!

[@somewherenicefarmstay6146]

Thanks so much for this. We do traditional archery and twice a year we do medieval archery shoots. Fun times in Tasmania (little (big) island down the bottom of Australia). My husband has the physique of a king (he is over 6 foot). But which king...yes, Henry VIII the older version (not the slimmer younger version). LOL. So I made his winter costume as per the famous portrait we always see. However, the summer shoot is too hot for that, so we were going with a Viking outfit that I would make from linen. The tunic is easy enough, but I didn't know how to make pants. Well now I do. I have just finished making my Viking outfit so this is the next big sewing project. On behalf of the pair of us - thankyou and all the best to you.

[@francespowell6923]

I refuse to believe there was only running stitch used in the days of yore. Someone must have thought "this is completely impractical, my clothes are going to fall apart, I'm just going to go backwards a bit here and there." They are indeed impressive pants!

[@TheWelshViking]

I mean I've seen running stitch, whipstitch, buttonhole stitch, hemstitch. But people grump!

[@Thelmageddon]

I feel terribly pedantic commenting on a year-old comment, but that's not the intention! Bernadette Banner has covered historical stitches in one of her videos, and pointed out that small running stitches are very strong and don't fall out - that fabric usually gives out long before small linen running stitching does. It's a fascinating video and not what we are used to assuming. Jimmy's stitching looks nice and small and neat, and way better than I would have the patience to do.

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

"larger and more impressive trousers" Ooh I can't wait!

[@vivianbeckford3084]

Venerable Bead for button closing! :P

[@roxiepoe9586]

I am so immature. Every time you say 'massive pants' I just dissolve into giggles. I don't even know WHY! I just find it very, very funny. (I hesitate to ask, but I want to ask the pocket question. Is there any evidence for pockets? You could carry a camel inside the pants, of course, but without a pocket, it would be all over the place.)

[@bonniebrown5094]

I wonder if the lines that you sometimes see in art is from stitching down pleats at the ankle? My other guess would be that it's an artistic way of showing how poofy the pants are

[@lenabreijer1311]

Lol I hear my art teacher speaking " just make it work for the picture, it doesn't matter if it is not exact, it has to look good."

[@finanelson8478]

I was wondering the same. I wanted those lines in a linen dress I made recently so I added 8 gores. It's a very swirly dress. And it's a heavier linen so the felled seams are actually quite robust and give it that perfect drape I was going for.

[@RuiNa42]

As a children's art teacher I agree... the lines look to me like a way of depicting volume in a medium that doesn't do nuance well without a team of apprentices to help with labor. But that's fine, because art is communication, and the lines communicate well enough for contemporaries who know what is being depicted. It wasn't intended to be an instructional diagram for future people.

[@iluvhammys]

I did pleats at the knee as well for mine and it turned out very good

[@karinland8533]

OMFG I love your editing mistakes so much! You put so much work in everything and we can enjoy it. You are so relatable! Live the content as well. Pronounciatin of Schleswig-Holstein was perfect! And by the way, nice haircut. You saw like I do. Usually half naked to try the stuff on while working on it...😅 and still I usually don’t miss the oppotunity to make mistakes. And you made so magnificent pants!😍

[@annebigelow4096]

But your socks are so fun- ;) - watching you work is somewhat amusing in a good way! Don't be afraid to let the world see it. We all need a counterpoint to Bernadette and Rachel

[@ladyliberty417]

Love the pants❣️ I’m learning and having a giggle at the same time, but seriously - hope you’re ok and getting things together- ✌🏼❣️

[@OldManFerdiad]

Such marvellous trousers! Secret Viking Pants. Aside from the top-notch history, I love the lack of pretension in your videos. We've all been that sweaty, hairy floor troll sewing in the most unaesthetic way at some point, literally or metaphorically. Also, those running stitches are top notch, so tiny and neat. I think the outer linen waist band will probably help minimise wear on the waistband against the belt cord because nobody wants to re-pleat all that fabric to replace a whole waistband when a linen top patch could be replaced. I hope whatever you are going through gets easier and that you are able to prioritise your health.

[@cheerful_something_something]

I vote making these part of acceptable office wear! Great job, as always Jimmy.

[@m.maclellan7147]

With the historical helm ? (Helps with office politics!)

[@Jojo66630]

You know, if enough people do it, it will be accepted :D

[@ragnkja]

Who’s to say that they aren’t?

[@iluvhammys]

I have worn mine to the office. I somewhat regularly wear historical or historically inspired clothes to work, and I'm usually in a tunic I just feel more myself and happier and more comfortable wearing clothing I made or experimenting with mixing different styles and my work has this far been very supportive. I get away with it because there's nothing in the employee handbook that forbids it, basically hiking boots and cargo pants not allowed, but large pants and long shirts are not mentioned ;D

[@historiansrevolt4333]

Love the relatedly chaotic sewing content. Also, that reveal footage gave me secret pants associated vibes.

[@IreneFriederike]

those look so fun! i'm trying to summon the courage to make myself some dhoti pants (pleated pants from South Asia) and the "correct" way to make them seems similar to what you did: measure, chop, pleat, hey presto pants! you look fab in your pink pants and i bet they will be super comfy this Summer.

[@haveaballcrafting8686]

I’ve made dhoti pants before for my local theatre, using online tutorials. First two mockups were unsuccessful, but helped me understand what was needed. Once I understood, it was all good. If you can manage to get a look at some irl it helps a lot! There’s a lot less fabric in them than these viking pants, fortuntely!

[@IreneFriederike]

@@haveaballcrafting8686 thank you for your helpful suggestion!

[@kitharoidos1089]

You missed an opportunity to do that mc hammer dance. 🤓

[@TheWelshViking]

I did! Rats!

[@Eloraurora]

...it would make an excellent short. Especially if you could find a Viking-style cover of the song.

[@elisabethmontegna5412]

I was waiting for it…

[@azteclady]

Secret Viking pants! Viking secret pants! The pants that kept the Vikings' secrets! They look great, both gathered around the calves (which would probably be warmer come winter), or flowing freely about your legs. I like how the waistband mishap is negated when you fold it over the tie. Therapeutic handsewing: no kidding! Often people will talk about how tedious it is, especially when it's repetitive (like, say, a few hundred thousand pleats...), but the need to pay attention allows me to stop the squirrel spinning in my head while enjoying both the process (I stop every so often to admire what I've done so far), and the end result. Here's hoping for things smoothing out in your personal life soon.

[@TheWelshViking]

It's a lot warmer with them gathered for sure. They're very comfy!

[@haveaballcrafting8686]

“the squirrel spinning in my head” is a delightful phrase. I may have to steal that. ;-)

[@gabbytriestomakethings]

OMG I just LOST MY MIND when I realized the band you are wearing is the one I sent you. I went back and checked like eight times then called my husband immediately to tell him that you were using it. Totally made my day. Glad it’s working out. Also love those pants and definitely going to make myself a pair like that.

[@TheWelshViking]

I love it! It makes for a wonderful belt, and I can't think of a good place to sew it too, so I hope this is ok for now :) It isn't on show, but I know a gorgeous silk band is what's at my waist!

[@gabbytriestomakethings]

@@TheWelshViking it looks perfect there! Definitely goes with the vibe.

[@jodieg6318]

My theory on the huge baggy trousers is that baggy stuff keeps you warmer; creating a cushion of warm air between you and your body. I think these huge pants might have been used the same way we use snow pants today, wearing them as putter clothing to keep the wet snow at bay.

[@ragnkja]

Additionally, voluminous clothing was a way to show off wealth. Those who _really_ wanted to show off could have sleeves and/or hems that were so long that they would be utterly impractical to do anything in, because what says “rich” better than a gown so long that you can’t walk in it without attendants to keep the hem away from your feet to keep you from tripping?

[@jodieg6318]

@@ragnkja and the whims of fashion are always that no matter what the century. Trousers with so much fabric they need to be pleated beyond reason, poulaine shoes with toes so long they have be curled up with chains around the ankles, having your outer gown slashed so you can show off how even your smocks and shirts are made out of even more expensive fabric. I am seeing a pattern as well :) one of my favorite things to look for in historic clothing either through dig ups or often through contemporary depictions, is how the lower classes that would get the cast off clothing of richer people would use them to practical effect.

[@jocelynsmyth6604]

I'm just starting to learn how to weave and sew (I'm older, and it's something I've always wanted to learn how to do) - and I gotta say, if you're spending hours on just making the fabric, cutting it wrong would just be awful - much easier to pleat and adjust 😅

[@seashore961]

I don’t know if it’s just my phone but from 1:42 to 1:46 the video goes to black but the audio continues, is this happening for anyone else?

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

Yeah me too.

[@seashore961]

@@thomastipping2275 ah I understand, forgive me, as you were 🙏

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

Few of us are on Bernadette's level. But this is very much on Rachel's "floor goblin stumbling through a project without thinking it through" level lol. I'm sure she would be proud.

[@MrsBifflechips]

Don't know what your rough patch is, but I hope things get better for you soon! Thank you so much for the video and for posting sources too. My experience of trying to find sources while being a noob and not involved in any re-enactment scene is a bit... nervous-making? I've been checking around a bit since you posted the teaser photo, but haven't had the courage to actually cut into my fabric. I love those trousers so much! They look so wonderful in an epicly comfy way, and everyone needs comfy epic trousers. I have 1.5 metres of dark green linen. I may make a ... possibly less voluminous and only mid-calf-length... pair of baggy Hedeby trousers for summer wear. South-east Ontario gets hot and humid in the summer Thank you again for the comfy, informative and human videos :)

[@FeathPymArt]

As far as I know, patching to fix something is perfectly acceptable. They wouldn't have blinked at your waistband. I would have at least put in a few loops for the belt, to keep it from riding up. But that's just me, if it works as you made it, it works! I think you did an excellent job on those trousers. I got a samurai vibe at the end, would Japanese style be known to them? I wish they'd be more in fashion for today, looks so much better than drooping pants! You did good, Jimmy, thanks for sharing!

[@MrSinclairn]

@@thomastipping2275 Yes,definitely those large trousers used in aikido training!

[@RunningRoosterFarm]

I think I love you. I am an artist and I decided to make my teens and myself outfits for Ren faire and I found you. Spent the last week dying linen with plants from my yard, and now I am sewing. Three outfits underway. Watching you for inspiration and advice. Thank you!

[@Alex-Sews]

This just makes me want baggy Viking trousers even more than I already did. Plus I want sailor's slops - baggy pants thru alllllll the ages. Perhaps time to get a-fabric-hunting. Thank you!

[@tetchedistress]

I now have added to my sewing project list. Hmm. Need to go fabric shopping again. (Ignoring the stash of fabric I already have.) Thank you Jimmy

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

My parents bought me 8 large boxes of someone else’s stash at an auction! Didn’t stop me from getting more. Some of it is 1970’s polyester which I actually need to fix the quilt my great aunt made in the 70’s. So win!

[@Angel_1394]

The sewing b roll is always amazing. You have amazing talent. Keep up the hard work!

[@Sally4th_]

Those are some Fighting Trousers.

[@HistoricLife]

I made a pair like 14 years ago or so in a similar way. For the knife pleats I pleated the whole thing with small knife pleases, like a skirt, on a thick linen cord and evenly distributed the pleats to the waist band along any length I needed for the waist band. This made it nice and even and super full looking.

[@amaliaseven7]

Wonderful! Lovely big pants, relatable sewing, and history we love to see it ❤️

[@scouttyra]

The illustration of you sewing is gold. Had to pause the video because of laughter.

[@ramblingseth]

my work just reminded everyone that we're not allowed to wear shorts in spite of the record breaking heat waves and air conditioning problems, so i think it's time for Giant Pants.

[@catherinewojtowicz5630]

Or a kilt.

[@berkleypearl2363]

I’m actively talking any young man I know into letting me make him a pair of these pants.

[@Crow-sr7xj]

As much as I love Bernadette, Morgan, Rachel, Zack, and all the other mega-aesthetic costumers, you make me feel like I could actually do this stuff. Though, I tried to make a linen tunic a while ago and made the head hole way too big....not sure what to do about that...but I'm willing to try again! Seeing how you feel things out and make stuff work even if you make mistakes gives me confidence. Hope you're doing well Jimmy

[@ragnkja]

Two potential solutions to a too big neck opening: adding a drawstring, or adding a yoke, perhaps in a deliberately contrasting fabric. Which one you’d choose obviously depends on how the tunic fits otherwise. If it’s fairly loose in the shoulders, the drawstring is significantly easier, whereas if the shoulders already fit, and the problem is simply that the tunic has an almost off-the-shoulders neckline, you could either add a yoke or just embrace the wide neck opening as a style choice.

[@Crow-sr7xj]

@@ragnkja A yoke (or well, adding a piece in that area to cover up some of the space) is something I had been considering and I think I'll go with that. I like your idea to use a contrasting color, thanks for your suggestions! I'm all fired up to sew again :D

[@TheWelshViking]

If it helps we do have early 11th century Anglo-Saxon images of necklines with what appear to be drawstrings. I can't remember the psalter now, but it's a David and Goliath scene and Goliath has a nice keyhole neck with a facing and drawstrings. Phwoar!

[@Crow-sr7xj]

@@TheWelshViking oh nice, thank you! i'm not sure if i'll have any luck finding it but i'll try looking for it anyway. i'm always down to spend hours digging through historical manuscripts anyway lol

[@eliavillhabrand]

Funny you’d upload today! I just bought a beautiful dark blue wool blanket for my viking fool-around-ery :)

[@haakdraakje]

Oh, nice trousers! Makes me think of those russian dancer pants.

[@TheGPFilmMaker]

I don't know how it has taken me this long to realize...my grandmother is Carpathian Rus & my grandfather is Persian. They are the two sides of all the ancient Middle Eastern writings about "the north"! Also - these pants are amazing! Fantastic! Love the color! The shape! All of it! I need to make some...

[@professorrhyyt3689]

Viking knickerbockers! 😁 The trapezoidal part, I've always put with the wide part down so as to put less strain on that T-seam-crossing or whatever a true tailor/seamstress calls it. Then, my first set of trousers were true waist Thorsbjerg - and they need it.

[@izzysolidarity7650]

Quest for larger and more impressive trousers? That may be the best opening line I’ve ever heard.

[@ThePixiixiq]

Fortuitous! (I love that word XD) I am going to make myself a pair inspired by Hedeby this weekend, already found the blog but now it feels a bit like I'm sewing with someone. I absolutely love the humanity of your process. Thanks for being honest about what it looks like when we sew XD

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

Pretty! Very Zoot Suit, suspect the 100 cubits thing was just snark from some guy in skinny jeans. The stitching is pretty too. They’re like samurai pants, the hakama, which really are built like a petticoat.

[@westsaxoninwales]

Great video, I especially like the socks. Those Thorsbjerg trousers are what I'll be basing my Vendel period trousers on. I appreciate your honesty in showing that you make mistakes, it shows that even those of us with zero sewing experience shouldn't be disheartened if we make a mistake.

[@nicolakunz231]

Viking Secret Pants!!! Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh! I need them. With Pockets of course.

[@anglerfish4161]

Archeology is amazing. I love to imagine a bunch of people excitedly going "oh my god IT'S THE PANTS" while holding a scrap of cloth

[@Brewtifull]

Those are some impressively baggy trousers

[@SarcasticShrubbery]

I wonder if the fabric measurement in the source text was just hyperbole. "Their trousers are so big, they use a HUNDRED cubits of fabric" - "a hundred cubits PER LEG!!" Either way they came out great. Sewing floor trolls unite!

[@ragnkja]

Even with a fairly short cubit of about 40 cm (I think Jimmy misspoke when he said that the length of a cubit ranged from 40 to 100 inches, because a cubit is typically 1.5 feet, or the length of the underarm including the hand), that’s still 40 m of fabric (about half as wide as fabric tends to be today).

[@noexpensespentstudios]

The size of the pockets you could hide in these. The things you could keep in them!

[@johannageisel5390]

You could hide entire non-period appropriate 18th century pockets in them!

[@catherinerw1]

Those are bloody big trousers!! (100 cubits...) Recent Twitter discussion about the ell... because of course there has been, thanks to Alexander BJ's latest jolly wheeze about non-mathematical measurement systems. Also... the proportions sound awfully similar (at least at the top of the body) to the dhoti pants made on British Sewing Bee a few years ago! (In silk/rayon, not wool!!)

[@Lunareon]

The trousers look absolutely majestic! The amount of pockets you could hide in them! There is no need to worry about producing aesthetic sewing footage on top of making and sharing your projects. It is enough to be yourself - that is what the viewers are here for, after all. I hope you can be kind to yourself, especially in tough times, and that things will turn for the better soon.

[@Kryptoid_]

Pretty sure how you sew is exactly how I sew... just drape and be a general gremlin as I go about my work! It's a mystery to me how someone can make it look so pretty, but your mentioning others makes me so happy about the comraderie the sewing community has ❤️❤️❤️ You've now infected me with the desire to make a pair, they really do look comfy af... Now I have to find some fabric

[@zoinomiko]

(oh wow I'm so early!) Don't feel bad about not feeling "aesthetic", or 'draping/measuring' - totally just as valid sewing methods. And then fantastic end product speaks for itself. :D

[@NickUncommon]

Oh the name dropping. I imagine you all meeting up, sitting on tables, producing period accurate clothing in a sewing circle.

[@upcyclemichael]

Thanks for sharing this. I've been umming and ahhing about making myself a pair as I'm thinking of starting to make a reenactment outfit, and now after watching you make errors but still be happy I think I'm ready to begin. Also you mentioned Bernadette and Rachel which made me happy. Thanks.

[@lydiablues]

the much-anticipated Big Pants video, yes!! and a fresh new haircut, which looks absolutely amazing on you. thank you for turning my mundane Wednesday workday into a Viking pants day, and don't forget to take care of yourself because we care about you!

[@darlebalfoort8705]

They do seem like a bit of conspicuous consumption for hand weaving and small looms. How large were looms then?

[@lucie4185]

Possibly 30inches so 2 lengths of loom width?

[@haveaballcrafting8686]

@@lucie4185 I wonder if the writers’ enormous-sounding cubit estimates are of how much fabric needs to be woven for a specific loom, maybe quite a narrow one? And if it’s a finished fabric length or the total warp length? I feel like doing some maths now.

[@wendynordstrom3487]

I kept thinking of the Madness song, Baggy Trousers! 😅 They turned out wonderfully! Love you and hope things smooth out soon. 💗

[@argusfleibeit1165]

Kind of astonished that 60" around each leg, and 120" around the waist was not that bulky-looking at all. Most of us have at least one "D'oh!" moment per sewing project. It really is a complex activity, putting garments together. Usually my brain is buzzing the entire time, half from trying to concentrate on the steps and the skills needed, and half from anxiety at making a dire mistake that can't be hidden, or will at least take extra hours to carefully undo and do correctly.

[@GallowglassVT]

Honestly, I think the Rus Khaganate and the states that came after it/surrounded it need more attention in general. It's an incredibly fascinating era in European history (and not at all the reason why my LARP character happens to be a druzhinik).

[@TheWelshViking]

So fascinating, and such amazing culture and influence!

[@shellydesormier4646]

Love you modeling your Viking pants, they look great and, perfect color... reminds me of getting a new dress as a kid and twirling! SMEES 😸

[@neeag4112]

I have pants-envy. Imagine: comfort, adaptability and possibly pockets?

[@ragnkja]

While the historical practice would most likely be a purse hanging from the belt, the presence of a waistband means that pockets inside the trousers are entirely doable. Granted, there’s no side seam to put them in, but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem since the pocket opening can be hidden in the bottom of a pleat.

[@keephurn1159]

Hm, they do look super comfy and with a pair of Big Lad Baggy Trousers, I could stride around town in confidence and style! Conversely, I bicycle to work most days, and that's a lot of fabric to get caught up in the gears and get nasty bicycle grease on. Also, the air resistance of the trousers alone might make me go backwards on windy days. I sympathize with your lack of well-staged sewing videos and not getting the bum patch right. I recently stitched up some holey, ripped jeans with sashiko and it was An Endeavor - lots of muttered wtfs, marveling at my lack of foresight, undoing and redoing vast swathes of stitching, and calling what I got done 'good enough'. Truly, the jeans are no longer falling apart; they're even functional! My compliments on your competent achievement.

[@nikkiarde4830]

Getting that trapezoid just right for the shape of the body took me some time. Then figuring out how to sew it... I had to make a mini 4" pair to visualize it. I used Project Broadaxe from your earlier suggestions and used the bottom leg bands but seeing yours unrestrained makes me want a second pair. I like the fold down waist band idea as well.

[@TorchwoodPandP]

Honour your error as a hidden intention: it looks great when the waistband folds down woolly side out.

[@tinyshinycrumb969]

Now I have a mighty need to see you dress Zack Pinsent in Norse/medieval garb. Viking Secret Pants FTW!

[@SchokoKeksLens]

I gave a presentation about exactly these pants in a class about Hedeby at my university yesterday. I can't wait to make some myself, they look so great and comfy!

[@elisabethm9655]

Awesome! Okay, I caught that slight grimace at ‘Khazar culture” … what’s that all about? We know so little…so much remains to understand - do tell!

[@OdessaDenby]

We love enormous pants in this house... I feel like for earlier ers of clothing, draping is so much more accurate than following a pattern because that's closer to how things would be made for individuals in the past, there was no such thing as a standard size, just basic shapes and proportions. This has definitely fueled my desire to make medieval men's kit, an idea I've been tossing around for a bit, but it looks so dang comfy on you!

[@ragnkja]

Drafting was more common than draping, but the pattern would either be drafted directly onto the cloth based on the customer’s measurements, or in the case of the few types of garments that could be bought ready-made in set sizes the pieces would be all straight lines, so a 2d pattern would be completely unnecessary.

[@anymoose6685]

Nice pants. I like how your inside out waistband flips over nicely.

[@dlaity107]

5:15/18ish - cue ridiculous amounts of giggling at the idea of how much cheese one could conseal in such pants at our end. Much needed silliness in a patch of Gods-awful, so TYVM.

[@Robberduckdk]

I am going to make a pair of baggy pants like that anyway. Your excellent video have helped not only with the pattern but especially with inspiration for the looks of them. Thank you! Your video is also interesting, entertaining and funny at the same time. I would likely watch your channel even if I were not interested in the subject. I do that with other channels. Besides that: I suffer with stress as well. having post traumatic stress disorder. It is absolute hell to have stress. People use the word if they have to much stuff to do But if you lost weight because of it, you have the real thing. Depression and anxiety sadly often go hand in hand with stress. I wish you all the best and hope you get the help and support you need. I also hope you recover as soon as possible!

[@orchardhouse9241]

You have successfully given me another idea for a project that I probably do not have time for. I need to finish all the other projects I am currently working on. But I have been wanting some baggy pants or pants of some sort.

[@aino1415]

Honestly hunched over on the floor sewing is my constant state! 👍 I feel seen, I feel heard. TY for the inspiration to start sewing my iron age kit :)

[@aino1415]

Also the trousers are majestic!!✨

[@kimmismith9174]

Wonderful pants! I love your very confident swish at the end. Hope you are doing better.

[@mah2126]

Well thanks very much! Now I got a image in my mind of a group of vikings doing a reenactment of the old MC Hammer "You cant touch this" dance video . and I cant get the bloody thing out of my head!

[@karaneely4881]

The swoosh! I love this. I need this. I'm gonna make this.

[@shironerisilk]

The unconstrained version reminded me of the Japanese hakama more than I was expecting, so interesting! I imagine they would look even more similar if you had gone for the box pleats.

[@Sarahofthewoods]

Fun! Big hug to you for whatever is difficult right now.

[@kelsea8767]

I appreciate the sewing footage, because that me! I feel that. Edit: Minor note but like, I see your pants and, it is not you it is me, I can't help but think of The Hexer (The original Witcher TV series) because Geralt's pants are so baggy.

[@joshb5742]

Thanks Jimmy, this made my day! All the best from New Zealand