All About Our Newest Pattern: 147 Norwegian Bunad

April 01, 2025 6 Comments on All About Our Newest Pattern: 147 Norwegian Bunad

We are excited to finally release our newest sewing pattern, the 147 Norwegian Bunad!  This pattern has been in the works at Folkwear for several years.  So many customers have continued to ask for a bunad pattern over the years that we started working on one, but the details and the many garment pieces meant that we would work on this pattern for a little while, then set it aside to work on other pressing patterns and issues (PDFs, other new patterns, moving, storms, etc).  But, we kept coming back to this pattern and finally felt like we got the details, including embroidery, to a point that this pattern could be used to create an authentic Norwegian folk costume or a bunad.  

The bunad is an intricate and beautiful folk costume that has been standardized and formalized for many regions of Norway (and beyond).  It is a symbol of pride and heritage in Norway and among those of Norwegian ancestry.  And now you can create your own stunning version with our new sewing pattern!

What is the Norwegian Bunad?

The bunad is the traditional folk costume worn in Norway. Rooted in Norwegian historic, traditional folk dress, the bunad has evolved over the years, and is now a nationally recognized and standardized costume, with a multitude of variations. Today, bunader (the plural form of bunad) are worn on special occasions and celebrations, such as weddings and national holidays (specifically, Norway’s National Day, or Syttende mai on May 17).  Regions—and even specific villages or cities—have their own distinct bunad styles, defined by unique colors, embroidery, and the cut of the garments which reflect the local customs and history.  

Introducing the Sewing Pattern

Our sewing pattern allows you to create a Norwegian folk costume or bunad and bring this piece of Norwegian heritage to life with your own hands!  The pattern includes pattern pieces and instructions for sewing all the garments, as well as a history and detailing. The Blouse has a front slit opening with an optional decorative panel,  a collar that can stand up or be folded down, underarm gussets, and sleeves gathered into dropped shoulders and buttoned cuffs.  The Vest has two views and is fitted and designed to be worn clasped at the waist or closed with lacings.  The pleated Skirt is ankle-length and the waistband buttons in the back at a placket.  The outfit finishes with an Apron that is also pleated into a buttoned waistband.  

The 147 Norwegian Bunad available in sizes XS-2XL, as a paper pattern or a PDF pattern.  The paper pattern will be mailed to you.  The PDF pattern is available as a download after checkout.  The PDF pattern has files layered by size for copy shops -- 36" wide and A0 (4 pages), for print at home (55 pages for A4 or 8.5x11" paper), and for projectors.  Both versions of the pattern include full instructions for creating all the garments, as well as eight pages of history, detailing, and embroidery designs.  

We collaborated with Krista West of Avlea Folk Embroidery on the embroidery designs included in the pattern (Krista is also of Norwegian ancestry!) -- providing five rosemaling-type satin stitched patterns and two large and detailed cross stitch designs with main and border motifs that can be used in many parts of the bunad.  

Along with the embroidery designs, we have basic stitching instructions, as well as a history of the bunad and resources for further information (also see below).  

My own embroidery design based partially on Avlean Folk Embroidery designs.

With this bunad pattern, we hope to provide a base to create a beautiful bunad or folk costume (folkdrakt).  We have provided two views or options for a bunad, similar to the Hardanger and Telemark bunader styles, but still quite generic.  Our pattern can be used as a base to personalize, modify, or style the bunad, folk costume, or festive costume to one’s preference. Choose traditional fabrics and embellishments, or go another route. This is a pattern for your creativity and personal taste, and to create what you want. This pattern can be used to make a very simple folk costume; or it can be used to create an elaborately embellished outfit. We hope that this pattern provides information and inspiration for the creation of your own folk costume. 

Some women’s bunader have the vest sewn to the skirt after construction, and the skirt opening is in the front. The apron then covers the opening made in the front of the skirt. You can adjust our pattern for this option by making the skirt front into the back and vise
versa.

If you are wanting to make a specific bunad, research that tradition and bunad look, and you can adjust our pattern and detailing to work for many bunader.  Our pattern allows for lots of customization you can add your authentic or personal touch to your bunad.

Detailing: Embroidery and More

One thing that makes the Norwegian bunader unique is the embroidery, trim, and other details of the costume.  Our pattern has eight pages of history and detailing information for the bunad.  We provide a number of embroidery patterns with instructions, as well as instructions for making a waist pocket.  

As mentioned, Krista West of Avlea Folk Embroidery helped us develop the embroidery patterns provided in 147 Norwegian Bunad, and these rosemaling designs can be used as main motifs on the vest, skirt, apron, and/or pocket bag.  The cross stitch patterns can be used (or modified by you and used) to add borders to cuffs, collars, shirt fronts, and skirt or apron edges (or to belts).  The cross stitch designs can also be used in part, or whole, for the intricately decorated front chest insert  (brystduk) found in some bunader that is pinned in place behind the vest.

A small part of one of the embroidery designs included in the pattern -- patterns include main motifs and border motifs.

Further Resources

We fully acknowledge that our pattern is just the basis for the Norwegian Bunad and is not for a fully detailed, regionally-specific bunad.  This is because there are so many and to pick one would be to miss the potential to help customers be able to access others.  So we have the basics for all you need for a bunad, as well as embroidery, and we hope you can use this pattern to be able to make a folk costume, or a fully detailed bunad from a particular region.  For more information, we recommend the following resources:

• Dressing with Purpose: Belonging and Resistance in Scandinavia. Edited by Carrie Hertz. Indiana University Press. 2021.  This is a text-heavy, but wonderful book about the meaning and history behind Scandinavian folk clothing.
• Vesterheim: National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School. Decorah, Iowa. https://vesterheim.org/.  A really great resource for lots of Norwegian folk craft, especially textiles.
• Norsk Intitutt for Bunad og Folkedrakt (Norwegian Institute for Bunad and Folk Dress) https://bunadogfolkedrakt.no/

Get Started Today

Whether you are a seasoned seamstress or a beginner looking for a new challenge, our 147 Norwegian Bunad sewing pattern is the perfect project to expand your skills and create something truly special.  Embrace the beauty and tradition of Norwegian culture with this exquisite sewing pattern.  Get started on your Syttende mai outfit today!

We will have an interview with Krista West on the blog in a few days so you can get to know her and her business.  She will have some of the cross stitch designs from this pattern, as well as kits, available in her shop.  

And we will start a sew-along for this pattern by the end of next week!  We will have the Blouse sew-along available on April 11, the Vest sew-along on April 18, and the Skirt and Apron sew-along on April 25.  Join us to sew this gorgeous outfit!

The 147 Norwegian Bunad is on sale from now through April 10. 

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