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).
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:
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.
April 27, 2025
I’ve been staring at the photos on this page for a while, trying to figure out what I can say to help you without offending anyone, because I understand you worked hard on this. Hi, I am Norwegian, I sow, I came here looking for something completely different, but this page caught my attention and now I can’t let it go… this doesn’t look right. I’m sorry, but it’s very costume-y.
I can see you’ve taken inspiration from Hardanger/Fana/Os bunadene, but you’ve made a version without a Bringeklede, and there is no silver lacing holding Livet together, so nothing is keeping the shirt from billowing out. Plus, with the bust darts you get a pigeon-chest effect, which is the opposite of what the bodice is supposed to do. It’s supposed to be pretty flat to display the embroidery.
To the Norwegian eye, this version looks like a state of partial undress (or well, a particular knock-off festdrakt (imitation/freeform bunad) pattern made by a certain danish corporation that’s got about as much to do with Norwegian tradition as a BigMac…), and with the t-shirt size armscye and wide upper back, the Liv kind of disappears into the armpits.
Also, there’s a big mistake in the basic construction here that means you can’t actually make this out of wool and have it be wearable.
Liv and Stakk (bodice and skirt) are not meant to be separates on this type of bunad. There is no waistband on a Foldestakk (like the one in your pattern), it is finished on both edges and sown to the Liv upside down with a very wide allowance. The Liv is 5-10 cm longer than what is visible from the outside. This creates several layers of fabric just below the waist which again gives shape to the Stakk. A belt covers the seam. If you don’t attach the Stakk and Liv, you must wear stays underneath, or the weight of the skirt will overwhelm the waistband. If you attach the stakk, the weight will be on both the shoulders and waist (because of the belt).
Here’s a vendor that sells the real deal’s information page on the Hardanger version: https://bunadbutikken.net/bunad/damebunad/hardanger-damebunad
If you look at the second photo, you can see the white basting stitches where the seamstress has measured the height to the client’s waist, then attached the Stakk. There is no gap. Oh, and if you’re making the clasps be the only closure, they will come undone or break. Put a hook-and-eye as the real closure and let the clasp be decorative.
If you want more information on what’s actually important when constructing a bunad that looks good, or to see what a bunad actually looks like on the inside, send me an e-mail and I’ll send you some photos of my own (a Løkenbunad). I want to help you get your pattern to produce the right silhouette :)
April 11, 2025
Oops that Bunads! Not bunds (thank you autocorrect!)
April 11, 2025
I’m with Heidi Lea!! So thrilled you listened to my suggestions (haha, sure, I’ll take the credit). Been studying bunds for years and want to make at least one before I die. My familial ancestors are from the Hallingdal region so it’s a bit different than this one, but I love this anyway. Mange tusen takk (as we say)!!
April 03, 2025
I would love to order your bunad/folkdrakt pattern. Please let me know how much. I would like a xl size.
April 03, 2025
SHUT UP & TAKE MY MONEY!
No, really, I am super excited! I’ve already gone down the rabbit hole of Bunad and Folktrakt. Ancestrally, I should probably stick with Ost-Telemark styles as that’s where my great-great grandfather was from (Skien & Langesund, the latter is where my great great great grandmother returned to after living in South Dakota for 14 years—frankly, I’ve seen pictures of both and I don’t blame her). His wife, my GGGrandmother, was from the islands that lead to the Lofoten in Nordland and I can’t tell which district she would have fallen into! I’ll stick with Telemark though, because those styles are fairly close to what was worn in the 19th century, whereas the Norland styles were designed much later (and I don’t like them as much).
Cris Longacre
May 03, 2025
Absolutely upset this very much wanted pattern did not include the 3X size. I was so happy when you started making the patterns in the 3X size range and now that there is one for someone of Scandinavian heritage I can’t make it because you stopped at 2X. Yeah I know work myself to size up but I’m in my 70’s now and just was hoping not to have to do that yet again. Some of us Nordic ladies are big and strong and need the 3X size. I bought your 3x size patterns even if I wasn’t sure I’d ever sew them just to support the sizing up trend now this ugh.