Birka Pouch
Sympkyn
A Birka pouch is a replica Viking-Age belt pouch decorated with metal mounts, modelled after archaeological finds associated with the trading centre of Birka in Sweden. As noted by Sippe Guntursson, what most people refer to as a a Birka Pouch is taken from the remains of a pouch and its associated bronze mounts found at Rösta, Jämtland. However similar strap mounts and the star formed mount have been found across multiple graves at Birka.
A new member of my household has decide that she wants to do a 10th century Swedish persona, as she is from Sweden originally. As such I decide to make her a pouch as she was in need of one and none of the spare kit I have would fit that persona.
After a bit of digging around I found a patter for a simple pouch, without all the bronze mounts. As she is currently planning a lower status persona this felt appropriate.
The pattern I used was one from Foxes and Ravens. After printing it out and sticking it together the first step was to transfer it to some leather. They recommended using 4-6oz veg tan leather. I had some that was more on the 6oz end of that that I had used for the soles of some turn shoes so I chose to use that. If I make another one I’ll go for something more on the 4oz end.
To transfer the pattern I started by marking all the stitching hole points with an awl. I then used a ball stylus to trace out the pattern itself. This was then cut out with my hook knife
Once all the pieces were cut out I started transferring the decoration. The decoration itself was drawn up by the person I was making the pouch for. Here is the desired design
This was done in the same manor, using a ball stylus to trace the image. Once it was traced onto the leather I used a swivel knife to incise the lines. once that was done I then tooled the pattern. This was down by wetting the leather and then using a bevel edger tool to make the pattern appear raised on the leather.
Once this was complete and the leather had dried a bit I could start sewing it together. As with most of my leather sewing I was using a saddle stitch.
Here is the pouch once the basic constuction was completed.
All that is left to do is to soak it in water so I can mold the leather to the shape I want as it had pulled in a fair bit in the sewing process. Then dye it.