I found a wonderful site describing Nås dräkten.  Here’s the link:

http://alltomhemslojd.se/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/nåsdräkt+…pdf

The descriptions are very detailed, and the photos wonderful!

I like the variations in the apron and shawl.

I don’t know which is cuter–the hat or the little girl!

This woman’s hat is crocheted.

Here are a couple of purses and a belt.

I’m hoping to learn to crochet well enough to make myself a heart warmer.  As a little aside, the Swedish for heart warmer is “hjärtvärmare.”  It’s not too much of a stretch to translate “hjärt” to “heart” and “värmare” to warmer, but when I was using Google Translate for this article, the translation came out “cardiac heater!”  ;-)

These gents are looking dapper in the suede knickers and wool vests.

Here’s a closeup of the back of the man’s vest.  I love how the fabric is cut on the bias and the stripes matched.

Too bad these beautiful suspenders are hidden under the vest.

The men have a green wool jacket with beautifully crocheted sleeves.

But I’ve saved the best for last–these adorable children’s “dresses” worn by both boys and girls.  The “bib” is reversible–sounds like a good idea!

Nåsdräkten literally means, “the dress from Nås.

Nås is the village in Dalarna, Sweden where my ancestors lived.

Each village, or parish, had its own costume…

…with its own distinct components.

Many, like the Nås dress, have tatting on the blouse.

There are variations within the parish, like these neckerchiefs.

They are still stitched by hand.

The wool skirt sometimes has a red band…

…and always has a crocheted edge,

although there are many designs for the crochet!

The apron also has many variations.  Some designs were specific for certain holidays, feast days, weddings, etc.

There is a cap which is tied under the chin, on the left side.

Only married women have lace on their caps.

Here’s a cap that is made completely from crochet.

The purse is beautifully embroidered and worn half hidden by the apron–a sign of modesty.

I was honored when my Swedish relatives had a Nåsdräkt made for me in 1984.

Wow!  Look at this.  This is the man’s folk costume.

Photo credits:

folklorefashion.durantextiles.com

margaretajonth.com

sverigesfolkdrakter.se

You can see more photos on my Pinterest board devoted to the Nas dress and fin direct links to the original websites for the photos.  http://pinterest.com/karenannalena/swedish-nasdrakt/

As many of you know, we have trolls that live in our woods.  We’ve even provided them with a little house near our Swedish log cabin.

They can be very mischievous, but they are also quite industrious.

They are farmers and their main crops are mushrooms….

…and moss.

They’ve grown mushrooms on their “back porch” before, but I noticed they are growing a different variety this winter.

Very clever little chaps, our trolls.

Last month the Longview, Washington library had a red and white quilt show.

It meant a snowy, 150 mile round trip drive from here, but I’m so glad we went.

I’ll just be quiet and let you enjoy the show!

It’s time for another Quilt Block A Month.  You can join the fun by ‘liking” the page on Facebook.

The block for this quarter is the Spool Block.  It offers a lot of options and is quick and easy to piece.  If you do just one block a day, you’ll have a 78 blocks finished before the first day of spring!

This is a great way to use your scraps.  All you need is: 2) 2-1/2″ x 7-1/2″ brown rectangles, 4) 1-1/2″ light squares, 2) 1-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ light rectangles and a 5-1/2″ center square—either plain or pieced.  I like using a stripe because it looks like thread wrapped around the spool.

Some people like to mark their squares with a diagonal pencil line when doing sew-and-flip corners, but I just finger press them–quick and easy!

Add a square to opposite ends of the brown rectangle.

Stitch, trim and press.  Note:  I didn’t trim the background fabric away.  It makes it a bit bulky, but I also think it stabilizes it.  Your choice!  Do this with both brown rectangles.

Add the white rectangles to the sides of the 5-1/2″ square.

Now add the brown rectangles to the top and bottom, making sure the light areas match up.  Voila!  You have a spool block!  The unfinished block is 7-1/2″ x 9-1/2″.

Now, here’s where the fun comes in.  You can do all kinds of things with the center square.  You could sew 5) 1-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ strips together to make it look like thread wrapped around your spool.

How about using random width strips on an angle to represent the thread?  I foundation pieced this.

Do you save selvedges?  This is a great place to use them!

Here are the four sample blocks I made.  I’ll play with setting possibilities when I have more finished.

They do make an interesting design when set next to each other.  You get some secondary action going on!

I hope you’ll join us!