vikningar

Vikningar is a Swedish noun (plural of vikning) that denotes the act of folding or the folded form itself. The term is used across several crafts and technical disciplines to describe creases, folds or bends produced when flexible materials are folded, creased or bent. Etymologically, the word stems from the verb vika (to fold, to bend) plus the noun-forming suffix -ning.

The concept is common in textiles and garment construction. In sewing and pattern making, vikningar shape the silhouette, create pleats, darts, hems and other design features, and they influence fit, drape and finish. Correct placement and pressing of vikningar are important for a clean appearance and functional structure.

In paper, book arts and packaging, vikningar describe the folds that organize sheets into panels, cards, envelopes or folded signatures. In origami, each crease is a vikning that defines the model and its stability, with various folding sequences building the final form.

Vikningar also appear in industrial contexts such as sheet metal work, cardboard packaging and laminate assemblies. Here, folds or crease lines must be precise to ensure strength, alignment and visual quality of the final product. The treatment of vikningar—such as scoring, pressing or forming angles—can affect material behavior under load and the overall appearance of the finished item.

In everyday Swedish usage, vikningar can refer to both the physical folds and the resultant folded configurations in fabric, paper or other materials, as well as metaphorical “folds” in plans or structures when describing changes or refinements.