Viking Parachute Pants?! Making a Pair of Hedeby Trousers [CC]

[@HouseHooligan]

Every time a video goes up, I click on it like, “What am about to feel a burning need to make now?” And I’m always right 😂 These are glorious! And Partner’s belt is fantastic. And thank you so much for the paper model-that’s the most clear I’ve ever felt about how the heck these go together.

[@OpusElenae]

MWA ha ha ha ha!

[@chastitysenek7499]

The next time my partner asks why I'm cutting on the dining room table instead of in the sewing room I'm going to say it was a strategic retreat. ❤

[@OpusElenae]

Everything sounds more legit if you call it “strategic”

[@lauralake7430]

I reallly appreciate how careful you are with the sheets you buy at the thrift store. People dont always think about things like that.

[@OpusElenae]

I have been in the place where I HAD to buy thrifted. I still prefer to do so (from a ecological as well as budgetary standpoint) but it isn’t a necessity anymore. Other peoples need comes before my preference.

[@m.maclellan7147]

Commenting at 5:56 to commend you for taking all those basting threads and putting them in a jar. I'm not sure if you are doing that to be tidy, BUT it is a smart thing to do if you have pets! As a former Vet. Tech, you NEVER want your kitty to ingest thread ! EVER ! Life threatening, truly!

[@lenabreijer1311]

40 stitches in my previous cat after he snacked on some metallic thread. He loved that thread and opened boxes to get at it. Taught me a whole new level of tidiness and using a tool box with locking clips.

[@OpusElenae]

I’m very lucky that Bran never showed any interest in eating thread, but it’s still a best practice I believe in for just in case

[@FlybyStardancer]

Ooo the patterning of those pants is fascinating! And I love the colors! The cinematography of the reveal is 👩‍🍳😘!

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you! I’ve been working so hard on the reveals lately; I’m glad it’s paying off!

[@eh1702]

He probably already has more clothes than the average viking did! You would be amazed how few clothes people of the past had: it was a major, major part of their expenditure. I have read letters from the sons of landed gentry sent from Scotland to Paris for university - who had worn out one of their two linen shirts, and asking for a replacement. And accounts from Japan of, again, the daughter of minor gentry having ONE kimono that did for several years of daily wear. In wills, you also sometimes see the whole entire account of a person’s clothing and personal possessions, down to every last cup, plate and shirt. Even in the late medieval or Renaissance period, it is noticeable how few clothes they had. And sometimes these were even identified by repairs!

[@OpusElenae]

I do talk about this, the cost of clothing in materials and labor and how little most people had. I think it’s interesting that a fantasy book (name of the wind by Pat Rothfuss) got it right, talking about how little the main character had to wear.

[@Chibihugs]

These turned out wonderfully and look great with the cool belt. The paper mock up made the construction so easy to understand. Love the slom mo sewing shots, especially with the fairy lights behind.

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you, and I’m glad it helped!

[@mishaday7659]

Watching you put together the little paper pieces, I went from 'huh, that leg piece is a little weird' to 'head tilt' to 'WHAT IS THIS SORCERY' - brilliant to see things in 3D like that.

[@OpusElenae]

3D render was so much more helpful to me

[@linr8260]

What a crazy pattern! Honestly though now that I've seen it in 3D it makes complete sense and I understand it better than "normal" modern trousers. Now I'm tempted to make some for situations where I can't wear a skirt... One question: how low does the crotch gusset hang relative to the actual crotch? It's hard to see in the video because they look so beautifully pouffy.

[@OpusElenae]

I look his rise measurement and added about 4-5” for maximum ease, but you can adjust it as low or high as you need!

[@BlameMyMuses]

I'm working on pants for my spouse right now! Well timed! We're doing them in super light weight fabrics for the high heat of Pennsic, and not worrying too much about historical accuracy, so much as personal comfort instead. :)

[@nicnaknoc]

Definitely can't touch this - the pattern pieces made my head hurt ( might be from a long day in the sun too tho 😅) great video really enjoyed it.

[@OpusElenae]

I must have walked through putting the pieces together like five times so I totally get it

[@Rozewolf]

Great video on how to make those trews. I have made my husband three pairs. He loves the amount of movement he has in them. My friend calls them his Viking Poofy Pants. I made a mini fabric mockup that helped me figure out how to construct the trews. One thing I did was sew the gusset bit together first, and then add the legs. I also added a fly. Instead of sewing the gusset together on both legs, I left a 7 inch gap on one side, and hemmed the edges. I didn't gather/pleat the fabric on the one side as much, to accommodate the 4 inch overlap. The flap is fastened with two buttons, one on each side. Regardless of motion, the opening doesn't show. Two pair have solid cuffs on the bottoms. The third pair has ties. He hasn't decided which he likes better. Thank you for a great video.

[@Alex-Sews]

Okay that little 3D paper diagram did SO MUCH for my brain THANK YOU OMFG you made it make SENSE!!!!!!! 🤍🤍🤍🪡

[@kida4star]

That paper mock up demonstration thing was so helpful!

[@coreygilles847]

I personally prioritize ease of dressing with all my clothing choices…and I cannot imagine that people of the past didn’t also do this (at least some for some of the time)

[@emilia.s]

Oh, no. I need to make these! 😂 once im fully moved, I'll have to start working on my pile of sewing projects. Another is added to my list! The colors are so pretty.

[@OpusElenae]

Honestly, once you can wrap your brain around the geometry, these are super easy to make.

[@theresaanndiaz3179]

I think our ancestors used divide and conquer on their pleats too. Fabric was too precious to waste and it just makes sense, it looks good and no one is counting your pleats. If you look at the often very distracting lack of pattern matching and unfinished seams in extant Victorian era garments you can see that time wasn't wasted on such things. Those trousers are gorgeous.

[@ah5721]

I'm one of those people who has to buy thrifted sheets. Thank you for thinking of others. Those pants look like they are comfy. I need to make some for myself

[@mermaidstears4897]

Thank you for this-I’ve been making Thorsburg trousers for awhile, but I wasn’t sure how much similarity there was between the two. I’ve been leery of jumping into the pleated trousers, but your little 3D models helped reassure me immensely. :)

[@OpusElenae]

They’re very similar!

[@KanonBlack13]

He looks so comfy and free

[@canucknancy4257]

When looking for mock-up sheets at the thrift store, I always look for ones that have a bit of fraying around the edges as those are less likely to be gotten by people that are actually looking for sheets to use on beds. The little paper model was perfect. That makes so much sense how it puzzles together now. Those look wonderful.

[@OpusElenae]

Me too; and I’ll reuse the rest of this sheet for the next project mock-up.

[@sarahallegra6239]

Thank you for that paper mock-up; I was really having trouble figuring out how the pieces went together. How fascinating! I want to try making a pair of these at some point now 😊

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

They turned out wonderfully well! The reveal is delightful 🌞 I sewed along with you; "hemming" pesky raw seam allowences (running stitch instead of felling) Drinking water, as usual.

[@OpusElenae]

Thanks!

[@sarar4901]

They look so comfy and mobile!

[@OpusElenae]

They’re very swooshyyyy

[@ladysoapmaker]

As everyone else in my family does Norse/Viking, thank you for the inspiration for trousers for them. Now to add it to my list of things to make before Pennsic.

[@kentario1610]

He is beauty, he is grace, he needs help with his winnegas. I found myself rhyming grace and winnegas and couldn't resist.

[@OpusElenae]

🤣🤣🤣

[@scafleet]

With the music at the end, I was painfully disappointed to not see any lighthearted frolicking on the part of partner. 😉

[@OpusElenae]

🤣🤣🤣 he’s not usually a frolicky guy. I’ll see if I can get him to next time though

[@pmclaughlin4111]

Not a costumer. Not a tea drinker. and yet I find your videos must see. (Love the black cup) Good idea to demonstrate how the pattern goes together with paper and tape Isn't nice when that art degree comes in handy

[@OpusElenae]

I gotta squeeze every penny’s worth out of that piece of paper

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

The paper mockup diagram is _chef's kiss_ perfection to help understand how bits of fabris are supposed to go together. I'm so glad the algorithm recommended your channel!

[@OpusElenae]

I’m glad it was helpful!

[@anthonyhayes1267]

This is an odd shout out, but this video was really good listening material while I was working on my own viking era project.

[@OpusElenae]

I’m so glad! I love when I’m crafting company for people

[@MorkyMuffin]

I will be using this for my FCBC costume

[@caragarcia2307]

He showed be safe from ticks. Or at least better than shorts or an open pant leg. Probably a good style for hiking.

[@OpusElenae]

Absolutely! It’s great for walks through the woods where there’s heavier underbrush too

[@lenabreijer1311]

The crotch construction is interesting, probably very comfortable for all sorts of weird movement pluss room to tuck the chemise used as underpants. I have made Japanese field worker pants with odd gussets but i find they tear at the corners. This design should be sturdier.

[@coalcreekdefense8106]

I'm surprised these ever became a widespread thing, considering how resource-intensive they are. It seems you could get two pairs of pants out of these. Then again, I imagine they trap air VERY well, so they'd go along way to keeping you warm.

[@OpusElenae]

It’s entirely possible they were a conspicuous consumption thing as well; the Thorsberg trousers take much less fabric.

[@CaptainStitchyPants]

Awesome pants, they look so comfy! They also look like all the fun and presence of a good swooshy skirt, but with the practicality of trousers 😍 Did he weave the belt, btw? It's gorgeous. I love your necklace with the entwined skeletal fingers! Can I ask where it's from?

[@aldendrake9797]

Yes, I wove the belt using an inkle loom. I knew I'd be wearing a leather belt over the tunic, so I wanted a low-profile fabric belt for holding up the trousers. I wove the belt using both purple and teal threads, so it would complement both pairs of pants. :)

[@scottstuart1515]

Just found your channel through this video. I really like the paper mock up. For someone who has very little experience working with textiles this was a great help. Excellent video and continue to spread your knowledge in the same manner 😊

[@MrsBifflechips]

I love this style of pants! I made some out of linen for myself last summer and I wear them *all* the time. They are the absolute comfiest. Why did they ever go out of style?? But yes, the geometry of their construction is... fun. Thank you so much for the video!

[@apriljodoin9643]

Very nice. 🎉

[@shellylrobinson6999]

I don’t know if I’ve ever felt more seen by a video image before. I had to click immediately

[@OpusElenae]

SUCCESS

[@ninaschust3694]

Möbius strip 😂. Been there, done that. 😊

[@lilykatmoon4508]

Those look awesome! Fantastic colors! ❤

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you! Partner dyed them himself

[@ashfordwyrd7458]

erm, Parachute pants were fitted pants made of parachute fabric (IE ripstop nylon). The salwar-like style from the 80s were called MC Hammer pants, because he was the most notable early adopter of that style.

[@OpusElenae]

👍

[@ninaschust3694]

Belt and trousers are beautiful.

[@hannabennewitz244]

This paper mockup is genius. May I asked you for the measuremend of the peases, to help me make my own one?

[@OpusElenae]

Yes! I will post something on Friday going over the measurements of person and pattern.

[@nailguncrouch1017]

Very nice video, I found it interesting and relaxing.

[@Dr.LemonMan]

i always thought these pants looked so fun lol are there russian pants in a similar style that they sometimes get known as Rus(?) pants? and you weren't kidding about how complicated that gets! but they really turned out great!

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

In 1981/82 these were the rage, a tad smaller but all the girls were getting dressed every day in poofy knee britches. They aren’t nineties harem pants guy, they’re early eighties debutante. 😆

[@NoviceStitcher]

Huh I didn't get it at first but, once you moved it to a 3d sample it weirdly made sense. can you so that more often on pieces that are not straight lines

[@OpusElenae]

Sure I can do that; what kinds of things have I made in the past that you feel could have benefitted from it, so I have an idea going forward?

[@NoviceStitcher]

@@OpusElenae things like turning the square piece of fabric at the top of the shirt sleeves into a triangle. lol, that was fun trying to figure that out. I kept getting confused. and felt really stupid for getting confused once I figured it out. lol

[@stevezytveld6585]

Well done. They look lovely. This is the summer I teach myself how to make shorts and pants. Am I intimidated. Uh... yeah. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@nataliestanchevski4628]

My first thought on seeing you put together the paper leg is that that is a lot of crotch fabric. Like even for one leg that is an excessive amount of crotch lol. They look super comfy and practical for a lot of movement. And I love the jewel toned linen.

[@Ms42Night]

As someone who has worked at a goodwill warehouse that handled 10+ stores. Take the sheets… we have bundles and bundles so much so that we have to shred thousands of pounds of fabric… do not feel back for reusing the sheets

[@OpusElenae]

That honestly makes me feel so much better, thank you!

[@Ms42Night]

@@OpusElenae a lot of people get what we call “thrift guilt” the only thing thrift store have in short supply are XL and above sized clothes in good condition. That’s really it. So don’t feel bad! ❤️

[@lauravansteeter910]

Any chace of sharing pattern/measurements?

[@carbination]

How do you know how big to make them? Im confused as to how we should get measurements😅

[@skolljumper]

Viking knickerbockers

[@OpusElenae]

Next up: ye olde Viking pennyfarthing

[@skolljumper]

@@OpusElenae I'm imagining a horse that's big in the front but a little pony in the back

[@OpusElenae]

@@skolljumper lololol perfection. (I was thinking a bicycle but with a dragon prow instead of handlebars)

[@elizabethmcglothlin5406]

Crotch pieces are very weird, indeed!

[@OpusElenae]

SO weird.

[@m.maclellan7147]

Am I not seeing the link to the linen you used ? That purple is to die for ! I Do wonder what a pair of pants would look loke with one leg royal blue and one leg purple ?!

[@OpusElenae]

Its heavy weight linen from fabrics-store.com, but Partner dyed both colors himself.

[@1Bibliotech]

Soo much poof…and a totally goth pelican shirt! I know a Pelican that would love it!

[@carlylewis7088]

Your necklace tho, where did you get it?

[@OpusElenae]

Oh gosh, I got it ages ago, on wish or AliExpress I think?

[@Nell0669]

Why do you don't you use pleating foot for your machine rather than doing by hand?

[@OpusElenae]

Because I wanted deeper pleats than the foot will give

[@notall9397]

Worn out items looks more realistic. Prior to the year 2000 we had to patch and repair clothes, especially more in the 90's and absolutely essential in the 80's. Prior to that I am sure it was more essential. I was TAUGHT to mend my clothes, because that was normal. When I see LARPers like you guys the thing that strikes me the most is that EVERYTHING is brand spanking new, and it looks so bad.

[@OpusElenae]

Bold of you to assume that we don’t have worn items in our closets, when you’re commenting on a channel that is about… making… clothes.

[@biggestmirandafan5739]

Is there a function reason for the separate crotch and bum pieces or is that down to the pieces we have records of?

[@OpusElenae]

The fragments we have indicate that they’re separate pieces. I’d have to do a lot more experimenting before I felt comfortable theorizing on why it was that way.

[@biggestmirandafan5739]

Thanks! If you ever do feel comfortable theorizing, I hope we can hear your thoughts!

[@lindalowenberg9457]

Goodness, I need that t-shirt.

[@OpusElenae]

Right?! Their laurel one is So Good too.

[@nizarahdragon3973]

Where would I find a pattern for these

[@OpusElenae]

I’m not sure there are any reliable commercial patterns available. I’m planning to make a short on Monday breaking down the measurements and why they are how they are.

[@lanceanderson8318]

Half nekkid people possible patreon content?

[@lanceanderson8318]

I mean shirtless vikings...come on

[@OpusElenae]

Only Fabrics

[@smallspidersad78]

Why do none of these videos explain how to work out the sizes of the pieces based on your own measurements 😭 is it something that’s blatantly obvious? I don’t understand!

[@robertwood7034]

Video making tip: Get to the point early. If you want to include extras (sipping tea and jokes) do it in the midst of the promised content. You'll see your watch time increase a lot.

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you for your unsolicited advice

[@notall9397]

"That I can try on partner." Why do you talk of him like he's some object not subject and an 'other' and not welcome? He's either your boyfriend, or your husband if you're married. Stop dehumanizing the poor guy.

[@OpusElenae]

I don’t call him by his name because it’s a way to protect his privacy. And I call him Partner because I prefer that term to boyfriend or husband (and it’s not the internet’s business what our marital status is); it’s also usually a word that queer couples use more than straight couples. Maybe you should consider why you find the term dehumanizing, as opposed to the others.

[@foxnoxness4989]

Ha, and I who just minutes ago told my partner I should make a pair for him for a event later this summer. Yours look lovely 💙💜🩷🩶🖤

[@OpusElenae]

Dooo iiiiit they can be twinsies

[@foxnoxness4989]

@@OpusElenae to darn cute. I'll ask him to wave across the Atlantic over to your side. Pants unite!