PGC2019: Solvi Gyldersdotter's Shoes

Solvi has two pairs of shoes to enter in the category "with silken coats, and caps, and golden rings, with ruffs, and cuffs, and farthingales, and things."  In her own words:

"Iron age shoes - for summer
Viking shoes - for winter

Materials and techniques (how was the item made and what materials were used):

My iron age shoes and Viking shoes were made using

• leather, 
• hand 
• leather hole punch, 
• hand stitching, 
• sisal rope and 
• shoe glue.

Based on the pictures I have seen on pinterest while doing a quick search for viking/middle age shoes.  These shoes are based on those looks. 

Because of my high arch I also made myself some arch supports with leather and leather leftovers. Custom made is so awesome.

I added the rope soles as the leather was a bit slippery on a lot of surfaces and the last thing I wanted was to end up on my bottom at events. ;) and the rope soles add grip as well as helps the shoes last a little longer.  Sisal rope is hard wearing. That technique of adding rope soles is used in the 13th century. Its origins can be traced to the Occitania and Catalonia areas of the Pyrenees on the Spanish and French border. Ref: https://startupfashion.com/fashion-archives-a-look-at-the-history-of-espadrilles/  As most things ended up on the silk road I thought that these type of “technologies” would have been combined sooner or later, in true viking form…. Not necessarily documented in texts and in visual arts which we often refer to.

I have tested both these pairs of shoes on most surfaces…. Tarseal, shingle, gravel, wood walkways, carpet, lino and grass. All but lino are great and safe to walk on - Lino is still slippery but I could add some silicone to the bottom if I am too worried about it.


Persona Inspiration (when and where is the persona from, and how might they have
used / experienced this item):

My persona is from the early Viking age.

Solvi’s husband is a merchant on the Silk Road, is away for many months, and often brings home goods for the love of his life. Sometimes in the form of leather, fabrics and other useful items.  Solvi needs shoes for both summer and winter to keep her feet protected from the elements. So she made these shoes for her own comfort to wear. Solvi likes combining different techniques to improve comfort, safety and practicality…. Sometimes looks…. May be one day those plain winter shoes could be altered with a pretty design on the top, when she figures out how, and when she has the time."