I have a tendency to get over ambitious ideas. Last year’s idea was to make my own national custom. Not only did I get the idea, I was stupid enough to post a goal for myself on Facebook to get it finished before 17th of May this year. I am pretty sure there was a beer or two involved in this status and I have repeatedly wished I could go back in time and slap some sense info myself before I said this out loud.
17th of May is the national day in Norway and is really a wonderful day. The otherwise quiet, humble Norwegians that are afraid of being proud of their national heritage go all out with flags, parades, and national costumes called Bunad. Each district has their own variant and most of them are absolutely beautiful. Given the price of (8000 to 70 000 NOK ) of these costumes it is amazing how many people actually own them (55% of women and 7% of men).
I have always felt a bit left out on 17th of May just wearing a normal cheap dress. I have been wanting to have one for years but since I don’t have any strong roots to a particular place in Norway it was difficult to know which one I should get (plus they are ridiculously expensive).
So I started thinking about Icelandic costumes and I got this genius idea that I would make my own to save some money…
That was a really insane idea given the fact that I didn’t have a proper pattern, had never really seen one up close, and is a new beginner at sewing. In addition to all of that I have had a really tough year with my daughter not sleeping which in turn made me sick and then to top all of that I started a new job in February (and this blog)…
So I didn’t actually finish but I made it close enough that I could hack some parts (the apron), use a store bought shirt, skip the belt and some silver and live with some loose ends… literally… There are things that I am not too happy with but I guess that was to be expected given the previously stated facts and that I rarely had more than half an hour to spare at a time to work on it.
So the plan for next year’s 17th of May is to finish it up…. there I did it again, said it a loud which means I have to at least attempt it.
This particular type of Icelandic costume is called Upphlutur. Unlike Norway where most of the costumes are district related, Iceland just has few different types that aren’t related to a particular place.
My mom knit the cap part which is called skotthúfa and she also gave me the only inherited jewelry for it which makes it even more special. Takk mamma!
My daughter has repeatedly asked me if I will sew one for her. Think I need to let some years pass to forget the pain of making this one 🙂 . In the meantime she gets to wear the fake children costumes (festdrakt) they sell in Norway. Aren’t we lovely?
Hello from Canada
I am of Icelandic decent and I am trying to find a pattern for the upphlutur .. in English would be wonderful. I won’t be able to make a truly authentic costume but I think I can make a fairly good replica. I have seen an actual
upphlutur and I took some pictures but the vest is something I would prefer to have a pattern for.
I’m hoping you might be able to help me.
I look forward to your reply.
By the way, my father’s family were from Isafjordur.
My Amma’s name was Ágústa Sigrún Viborg Guðmundsdóttir ( I just happened to stumble across her name just now).
Anyway, congratulations on your beautiful upphlutur !
I look forward to hearing from you.
Bless bless,
Lois Isfjord
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada