Whilst Bill and I were staying at the Ullensvang Hotel, we travelled by ferry across the fjord to visit Utne where we were able to revisit the Folk Museum in the first week of the season. We were so lucky both with the timing and with the glorious weather.
Since my last visit, the museum has been refurbished and has not only the fabulous Hardanger embroidery section, but also two large rooms of painted Norwegian wooden furniture, blanket boxes and baskets. I wanted it all!
It was a privilege to be able to look at the stitched examples of Hardanger embroidery and be able to see the detail and the precision of the stitching. I first learnt how to do Hardanger embroidery about 25 years ago at The Counting House, a wonderful shop in South Carolina. I had my own personal lesson and have been hooked ever since.
Until I had been to Norway and investigated the traditional embroidery, I had not realised that it is very much part of everyday life there and not a forgotten art. Hardanger is used for tablecloths and runners and even for a baby’s cribs but the most traditional use is for costume. A girl or women’s outfit includes an apron with a Hardanger panel, and the collars and cuffs also include cutwork.
Some families make their own costumes, but many go to specialist shops to buy parts of the costume. (You can buy cutwork panels to attach to an apron or blouse.) This is a very expensive exercise as a full ‘Bunaden’ can cost in excess of £4,000. Silver jewellery even including a crown is part of the complete outfit.
