Based in Norway’s oldest town, Husfliden Tønsberg is a guardian of craftsmanship and tradition. A part of the Norsk Flid Husfliden network, this beloved shop has, for 75 years, offered handcrafted Vestfold bunads, repairs, and a curated selection of Nordic design – all made to preserve Norwegian heritage.

On any crisp, sunlit Norwegian Constitution Day, three things can be expected: flags waving in the breeze, brass bands playing familiar tunes, and the streets filling with people dressed in vivid colours and intricate embroidery. Anyone who has been lucky to behold the sight will know that Norway’s beloved national costume, the bunad, is more than just a piece of clothing. With varying designs, colours, and patterns, it is as much a family heirloom and symbol of regional pride as a living link to Norwegian history and identity.

In Vestfold, this tradition takes form in Husfliden Tønsberg, a bunad maker and the fourth-largest shop within Norsk Flid Husfliden; a trusted network of 28 shops across Norway dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional Norwegian handicrafts.

Husfliden Tønsberg: a handcrafted piece of Norway

Small details that shape national tradition

“Husfliden Tønsberg was established in the 1950s and started out as a small business that sold yarn and handmade products made by local artisans,” says Rita Helene Gallis Fadum, tailor and general manager of Husfliden Tønsberg. “In the early days, Husfliden shops were often established by local women who wanted to contribute to the household income by selling their crafts. In 1991, we became a limited company owned by various craft associations in Vestfold, with Tønsberg holding the majority share.”

Husfliden Tønsberg: a handcrafted piece of Norway

Since 1998, Husfliden Tønsberg has been located in one of the city’s finest corner buildings at the top of the main square, with large, bright display windows and a welcoming workshop on the second floor. Here, a team of five highly skilled artisans work away tirelessly to craft and restore bunads, each with their own area of expertise.

“For many, the bunad is a family tradition. It shows where you come from and connects you to your roots. Because it’s such a personal purchase, we pride ourselves on providing close guidance and excellent service, from the first measurements to the final fitting,” says Fadum. “The goal is for every customer to leave here as a proud bearer of a perfectly tailored bunad.”

Husfliden Tønsberg: a handcrafted piece of Norway

Quality to last generations

Creating a bunad is no small task. A complete women’s bunad can require hundreds of hours of meticulous work: handwoven bands for the skirt and bodice, finger-crocheted edging, embroidered linen shirts, handwoven or embroidered aprons, and lace made by hand for the traditional cap. The men’s bunad, with its striking red jacket and yellow silk vest, is a reconstructed design based on original garments from the 1830s.

The demand for both new bunads and repairs keeps the team busy all year round. Husfliden Tønsberg is a certified training company and has guided several apprentices in bunad making. It also works closely with skilled local women who help with embroidery, knitting, and sewing different parts of the costumes – ensuring that every bunad remains truly handmade.

Husfliden Tønsberg: a handcrafted piece of Norway

“People often don’t realise how much work goes into each piece. But that’s exactly why it’s so important to us to keep these traditions alive,” Fadum says. “We believe in taking care of Norwegian craft traditions and passing them on to the next generation. Our products are locally sourced, made to last, and worth maintaining – the opposite of throwaway culture. That’s why we also help repair bunads and accessories, so they can be used for decades, or even centuries.”

Bunad production accounts for more than 70 per cent of the shop’s turnover, but Husfliden Tønsberg is also a treasure trove of Norwegian and Nordic design and craft. Visitors will find high-quality yarn from Rauma and Hillesvåg wool mills, weaving yarns, Røros Tweed blankets, sheepskins from Granberg, felt slippers from Tova, traditional knitwear, ceramics from local artists, wooden products, interior textiles, and glassware from the glassworks in Vivestad, to name just a few!

So, whether you are stepping into Husfliden Tønsberg to pick up your very first bunad, to repair a treasured family heirloom, or simply to browse beautiful Nordic design, know that you are in the beating heart of Norway’s cultural heritage.

Husfliden Tønsberg: a handcrafted piece of Norway

Visit Husfliden Tønsberg
Øvre Langgt. 44
3110 Tønsberg, Norway

Web: www.norskflid.no/tonsberg

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