2024-10-14 – Bunad Making: Nasjonaldrakt (In Person)

Schedule: 

October 14-18 (9:00 am-5:00 pm CT)

Instructor:

Ingebjørg Monsen

Location: 

This is an in-person class held at Vesterheim Folk Art School. 

​​

2025 marks the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Norwegian immigration to America, which means this is the perfect time to make a bunad you can wear for a full year of celebrations! Join Norwegian instructor Ingebjørg Monsen for a weeklong class where you will learn to make the vest and skirt that are worn as part of the nasjonaldrakt.

Nasjonaldrakt, or "The National Costume," consists of a red bodice, black skirt, white apron, white blouse, and a decorative breastplate. Nasjonaldrakt was adopted as the national bunad in the late 19th century after the future Queen Maud was photographed wearing it while she visited Norway as a young British princess! It was very popular in Norway and the United States in the early part of the twentieth century. Although many Norwegian Americans have acquired regional styles, nasjonaldrakt remains popular - and very wearable - today. 

Photo credit for image of Queen Maud (second photo): Norsk Folkemuseum

Skill Level:

Intermediate - Students must be comfortable using their sewing machine. All hand sewing skills will be taught in class.

Supplies: 

A materials fee of approximately $625 payable directly to the instructor will be charged at the start of class. This materials fee includes all the necessary materials for making the vest and skirt, including Including traditional wool fabric, velvet braids for decoration, a special cotton braid for the waist, lining, fastening hooks, and necessary needles and threads for hand sewing.
 
Please bring a sewing machine that you are familiar with as well as extra needles, a large spool of red thread, fabric scissors, and the optional thimble. 
 
Bernina sewing machines are available to rent for the duration of class through Decorah's local quilt shop Red-Roxy Quilt Co. Please let us know if you would like to arrange for a rental machine well in advance as there are limited number of machines.

Enrollment Deadline: 

September 23, 2024 

Click here to learn more about instructor Ingebjørg Monsen. 

Please read our COVID-19 Policies here.

Supported by a generous gift to the Vesterheim Annual Fund by Veronna and John Capone. In-person classes with Norwegian instructors are supported in part by the Sigmund Aarseth Norwegian Instructor Endowment.