Sewing My Own Bunad
January – May 2024
From January to May 2024, I embarked on the journey of sewing my very own Vest-Agder bunad. After countless hours of patience and hand-stitching, I finally completed the traditional costume from my hometown - just two days before the big celebration on May 17th.
"For years I had thought about how exciting it would be to make my own bunad, but I always imagined it would be far too much work. Then one day I simply decided to go for it. Just five days after moving from Oslo to Kristiansand, I signed up for a bunad course. Suddenly, I had to gather everything I needed: fabrics, sewing tools, and making sure my sewing machine was in working order. Perhaps the greatest challenge, however, was making the many design decisions - choosing fabrics, colors, and embroidery patterns that would ultimately shape the final piece."
Creating Something to Pass Down
What makes a bunad truly special, especially one from your own hometown, is the idea that it can be passed down through generations. Knowing that my handmade bunad might one day be worn by future family members makes the effort all the more meaningful.
A Sense of Pride
Sewing my own bunad gave me a deep sense of pride. It’s more than just a garment - it is a symbol of tradition, heritage, and something uniquely Norwegian. Making it with my own hands gave me a stronger connection to that tradition.
Interview and Story in Fædrelandsvennen
Just before I finished the bunad, I was contacted by Fædrelandsvennen, the local newspaper, who wanted to create a feature and a short video for social media. Having dedicated so much time to this project, I saw it as a wonderful way to share both my work and my pride. At home, they photographed, filmed, and interviewed me, and on May 17th we met again in a charming neighborhood near the city to capture the final images of me wearing the bunad on its very first day.
Shortly after the celebration, the video appeared on Snapchat and the article was published on fvn.no. What surprised me most was how many people had seen it. Friends, family, colleagues, and even acquaintances reached out to tell me how inspiring it was to see that I had made my own bunad. It was heartwarming to realize that something so personal to me had resonated with so many others.
SÖGNE
Local rosé wine from Agder
Sögne is a handcrafted rosé wine hailing from Søgne. Our grapes are meticulously grown and personally harvested straight from our private vineyard. With each sip, you'll experience a refreshing and velvety flavor profile, complemented by a subtle note of acidity derived from these plump, crimson grapes. Our label design was carefully curated to imbue the rosé with a distinctive charm, ensuring that our bottles are as delightful to give as they are to savor.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Designed based on an authentic photograph
