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  • Gagnagrunnurinn - About the database

    The weaving patterns in this database (at this point in time) date back to 1961 - 1972. They are included in a handwritten notebook owned by the society Friends of Kvennaskólinn, featuring over 100 patterns and project notes.

    It is just one small part of the large collection of unique Icelandic weaving patterns and teaching materials from the 19th and 20th century held within Kvennaskólinn, the former Women’s School in Blönduós. They are the archives of four Icelandic weavers, including former teacher Solveig Arnórsdóttir, and were given to the Icelandic Textile Center and the society "Friends of Kvennaskólinn" for preservation. The scope of the data is vast and invaluable; thousands of patterns, handwoven samples, and handwritten notes that are rich in cultural value and potentially of great use to the weaving industry, designers, and the educational sector. 

    "Bridging Textiles to the Digital Future"

    In 2016, the Icelandic textile artist and weaving expert Ragnheiður Björk Þórsdóttir spend five months researching the weaving patterns in Kvennaskólinn. This initial research and preservation project sparked "Bridging Textiles to the Digital Future", a three-year project project aiming to analyze, photograph, and digitize weaving patterns, and make them available to scholars, artists and designers online. By applying new research of traditional patterns and how they are woven, new digital weaving pattern technology can be applied to make old patterns compatible with the TC2 digital loom located in Kvennaskólinn.

    In 2017, the project was approved for funding by the Icelandic Technology Development Fund (Rannís). Since then, project manager Ragnheiður Björk Þórsdóttir and her research assistants have analysed, photographed, and digitised thousands of weaving patterns, and experimented with materials and colours doing sample weavings on the Textile Center's Tc2 digital loom. Old patterns like Guðrún Jónasdóttir's 1932 block pattern of a coverlet were transformed and reinterpreted for future use. 

    The project "Bridging Textiles to the Digital Future" was presented in June 2020 during DesignMarch in Reykjavík. The exhibition and database were opened by the Icelandic minister of Science, Education and Culture, Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir.  

    How to purchase a pattern

    In order to buy a pattern, you must first sign up to the database and register your email. When you are purchasing a pattern, you will receive a receipt via email. The email includes an overview of your purchase and links to two different PDF-files: Your pattern's project plan in both Icelandic and English. The images can be downloaded directly from the database. 

  • Guðrún Jónasdóttir (1916 - 1997)

    Guðrún was born in Stuðlar, Reyðarfjörður, on December 28, 1916, and the oldest of seven children. Her parents were Valgerður Bjarnadóttir (1885 - 1974) and the farmer Jónas Pétur Bóasson (1891 - 1960).

    When Guðrún was five years old, the family moved to Grímsstaðir and then Bakka in Reyðarfjörður. Jónas quit farming and started working as a labourer in Búðareyri. Guðrún enjoyed going to school and was an excellent student: first at the elementary and secondary school in Reyðarfjörður, and then the Women's College in Hallormsstaður from 1934 - 1936, when Sigrún P. Blöndal was the head of the school. In Hallormstaður, Guðrún met many of her lifelong friends. Guðrún's family was also very supportive, and she repaid them with her woven work and handcrafts.  

    In the late 1930s, Guðrún moved to Norway to study weaving and work in her aunt Guðrún Brunborg Bóasdóttir's household. This was challenging at times, as Guðrún considered her aunt to be very strict, treating her like a maid rather than family. This changed, however, when Guðrún left the Brunborg home. The two Guðrúns became very close and kept in contact their entire lifes. In 1938, Guðrún graduated as a weaving teacher from Den Kvinnelige Industriskole (now Statens læreskole i forming) in Oslo. 

    In an article Guðrún wrote about Ragnhildur Pétursdóttir, one of the founders of the Women's College in Reykjavík and long term leader of the Icelandic Women's Association, she talks about her time in Norway and coming home to Iceland: 

    ,,Students did not have a lot of money back then, and sometimes we even struggled to pay for our next meal. One weekend at my aunt Guðrún Brunborg's house near Oslo, we had guests visiting. Among them was Lára Sigurbjörnsdóttir from Reykjavík, who was my teacher in Hallormsstaður. We talked about finances, and Lára said: ,,Just write a letter to Ragnhildur Pétursdóttir, she is on the board of the Icelandic Handcrafts Association and might be able to help you. It doesn't hurt to try!" So I did, and late in August I received a letter from Ragnhildur, offering me a teaching position and a ticket back to Iceland, which I could repay once I had an income." 

    Source: Fríða Björg Eðvarsdóttir, Guðrún's daughter.

  • Kvennaskólinn - the former Women's School in Blönduós

    Kvennaskóli Húnvetninga was founded in 1879 in Undirfell, Vatnsdalur valley. One of the founders was the farmer and member of parliament, Björn Sigfússon. Born in 1849, he was a young man who had spend time abroad, and knew of the major advancements in educational opportunities for women and girls. He thought that women should be able to educate themselves, not only the sons of well-to-do farmers, as was the custom in Iceland at the time. Many of his contemporaries thought the same. During the 1870s, three other women's colleges were founded in Iceland: Kvennaskólinn í Reykjavík (1874), Laugalandsskóli, and Kvennaskóli Skagfirðinga (1877).

    Ytri-Ey 

    At first, Kvennaskóli Húnvetninga was funded by the district and with donations. During the first year, lessons were held at the home of pastor Hjörleifur Einarsson in Undirfell. He taught theory, his niece Björg Schou practical subjects. The students were five girls, who stayed at the school for eight weeks at a time, three times over the fall and winter months. The following year, Kvennaskóli moved to Lækjarmót in Víðidalur valley, where Elín Briem became the director, and four years later to Ytri-Ey (between Blönduós and Skagaströnd), where the school was located for 18 years. 

    In 1880, the Húnavatnssýsla and Skagafjörður districts took over the management of the school, supported by grants from the state. Statutes were written, rules and regulations introduced. When the school moved to Ytri-Ey, the school year started on October 1st and ended on May 15, divided into two teaching periods. There was a first and second grade, as well as a handicrafts department. 

    Exams were held in all the subjects, with external examiners coming in. At the house in Ytri-Ey, there was space for 20 women, including teachers. Amongst the subjects taught were calligraphy, maths, geography, history, Danish, song, tailoring, embroidery, and cooking. At first, students came from the surrounding districts, but soon there were applications from students all around the country.  

    Textbooks

    Teaching calligraphy, head of school Elín Briem was using a special kind of imported paper and style ("koparstunga"). The Ytri-Ey students were known for their beautiful handwriting. In 1888, Elín Briem wrote and published Kvennafræðarann, a handbook on cooking, food storage, and handicrafts, including the tailoring of clothes for men and women. The first edition, 3000 copies, was quickly sold out, and the book - now considered a classic in Iceland - was reprinted three times. 

    In 1900, the decision was made to move the school from Ytri-Ey to nearby Blönduós. Skagafjörður municipality withdraw from participation regarding the management of the school. Carpenter Snorri Jónsson from Akureyri was hired to build the school, and on October 1st, 1901, 30 students attended the first lessons in the new house.

    The school burns

    On February 11th, 1911, Kvennaskólinn burned down in a fire. Much was lost, but all lives were saved, as well as much of the food stored in sheds outside. This made it possible to continue teaching, with classes being held in houses Tilraun, Templarahús, and Möllershús in Blönduós, and students staying in different homes nearby. The new school house, planned by master builder Einar Erlendsson from Reykjavík, was built in record time and opened in the autumn of 1912 in the same location. It featured modern amenities, such as bathrooms, toilets and running water, but no electricity until 1927.

    The school's finances were fragile at times, and providing resources a constant struggle for the participating districts. During a particularly difficult period, the winter of 1918 - 1919, the school was forced to close, also due to the lack of fuel and heating materials. But people were protective of the activities of Kvennaskóli, which was very professionally managed and had a great reputation, and pleased with its success as an educational institution. The school reopened, and in 1923 - 24 was changed into a so-called Húsmæðraskóli, a 9 month program with a focus on home economics and practical subjects such as cooking and sewing. Subjects also included Icelandic, bookkeeping, Danish, nutrition, and health education. This was to remain the direction until 1970, although there were a number of changes regarding the curriculum over the years. In the 1940s, for example, Danish and maths were no longer taught, but textile chemistry, "product knowledge" (vöruþekking), and home bookkeeping added. 

    In 1952, the school building itself was changed. An extension was built - including an apartment for the head of school and dining room - the kitchen and bakery improved, and new furniture bought. Lessons were paused until renovations were completed, and finally resumed in January 1954. Hulda Stefánsdóttir, who led the school from 1932 - 37, was hired as the director for a second time.

    From 1970 onwards, there were significant changes in the educational landscape in Iceland, and the interest in home economic schools dwindled. This also affected Kvennaskólinn in Blönduós, despite much effort made. During the 1970s, two teacher's houses were built next to the main building, storage space and work rooms added, as well as a large classroom with balconies on the second floor. Students were given the option of staying only half the school year, and taking shorter classes in e.g. weaving and cooking. 

    Kvennaskóli started collaborating with the elementary school in Blönduós, and housing older students about to take their final exams.  Locals remained supportive of the school, and many - 400 in all - participated in the various classes offered to them. But in the autumn of 1978, the decision was made to close the school once and for all. Other home economic schools also closed at the time. 

    All in all, 2700 women and girls were educated at Kvennaskólinn during the 99 years it was operated. The many other students attending individual workshops and classes are not included in this number. Most students came from the surrounding districts, Húnavatnssýslur and Skagafjórður, as well as the districts near Akureyri and Strandir on Húnaflói Bay. During the final years, many students came from the capital city area.

    Kvennaskólinn was a source of much activity and an integral part of Blönduós and the region. The women leaving the school oftentimes stayed in the region, marrying local men, and bringing their knowledge into their new homes. Many were sad to see the school go. The neighborhood seemed lifeless and not as colourful when Kvennaskólinn closed. 

    Aðalbjörg Ingvarsdóttir.

  • Sigríður Jóhannsdóttir

    Sigríður Jóhannsdóttir was born in 1948. She studied at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts 1967 - 1969, and Statens Lærerskole in Forming, Oslo, 1969 - 1970. When Sigríður returned from Norway, she started teaching at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts (1970 - 1975). 

    Sigríður has a long career in textiles. She was part of the exhibition committee of the Icelandic Textile Association (1980 - 82), a board member at Hallgrímskirkja Friends of the Arts Society  (1984 - 89, 1994 - 1999), Hallgrímssafn museum (1996 - 99), and the Festival of Sacred Arts  (1996 - 98). She is a founding member of Textílfélagið Íslands and part of SÍM, the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists. Her work has featured in numerous solo and collaborative exhibitions, as well as public buildings and churches all around the country: Hallgrímskirkja, Domkirkja in Reykjavík, Hóladómkirkja Church, Fossvogur Chapel, and many more.

    Sigríður is married to Icelandic artist Leifur Breiðfjörð. Their collaborations include five solo tapestry exhibitions, many collective exhibitions with textile artists within Iceland and abroad, as well as the design of liturgical vestments and altar cloths for several churches in Iceland. 

    www.sigridurjohannsdottir.breidfjord.com

  • Sigrún P. Blöndal (1883 - 1944)

    Sigrún Pálsdóttir Blöndal was born in Hallormsstaður, East Iceland in 1883. She grew up in a home where culture and the arts played a major role: Her father, Páll Vigfússon, had a degree in philosophy from the University of Copenhagen, and was the co-founder of the magazine "Austri". Her mother, Elísabet Sigurðardóttir, loved literature, history and genealogy. Páll returned from Denmark to work on the family farm. He was considered to be an excellent farmer, but died young in 1885.

    Sigrún was a good student and moved to Reykjavík when she was 17. She enrolled at the Women's College (Kvennaskólinn), and finished the program within one year. In 1905, she participated in a summer program in Copenhagen, studying home economics and domestic arts. In 1911, she travelled to Denmark once more to study at the Folk High School in Askov, along with seven other Icelanders. Sigrún was very interested in domestic economy and weaving, in particular, and taught many workshops in South and East Iceland upon returning to Iceland.

    In 1918, Sigrún married Benedikt Blöndal, a teacher at a district school in East Iceland, Eiðar. Sigrún and Benedikt were both interested in exploring different methods in teaching, and preferred giving lectures to the more traditional, book-centric approach. At Eiðar, Sigrún taught various subjects, including Danish, gardening, and weaving, and managed the school's summer programs at the school with her husband. 

    When Sigrún inherited the farm Mjóanes, the couple decided to leave Eiðar and moved to the shore of lake Lagarfljót in 1924. In the old farmhouse at Mjóanes, Sigrún and Benedikt founded a new school, which they managed for six years. The school accepted both boys and girls at first - many of them former students from Eiðar - but only girls later on. 

    Sigrún was very interested in starting a Women's School in East Iceland, the type of home economics school that already existed in other parts of the country. Both she and her husband played an important role in the foundation and management of the Women's School (Húsmæðraskólinn) in Hallormsstaðir in 1930, which is known as Hallormsstaðarskóli today. Sigrún directed the school from 1930 onwards. Benedikt also worked there as teacher, and was the main caretaker of the school building, stables, and animals. 

    In the following years, Sigrún taught, travelled, worked as a representative for the publisher Mál og Menningar, and presented lectures on Icelandic literature, e.g. at the annual meeting of the Icelandic Women's Association in 1943. One of Sigrún's close friends was Halldóra Bjarnadóttir, the editor of an annual Icelandic magazine Hlín. For Hlín, Sigrún wrote a book on weaving, which was included in the annual subscription from 1932 - 1944. 

    Sigrún and Benedikt had two two children, and also raised two foster children. Their son Sigurður, a forest specialist, studied in Norway and later returned to East Iceland, where he became the forest manager at Hallormsstaður. In 1939, Benedikt Blöndal died in an accident, only 56 years old. Sigrún died five years later, on November 26, 1944, due to a sudden illness. 

    Húsmæðraskólinn in Hallormsstað

    The Women's School (Húsmæðraskólinn) in Hallormsstað, East Iceland, opened on November 1st, 1930. The school house was not entirely finished just yet. The school was divided into two departments, first and second year students. Every week, the head of school, Sigrún, presented two lectures on literature, and her husband and fellow teacher Benedikt two lectures on history and culture. School days started at 8 am, with a psalm being sung, and ended at 10 pm. 

    Before lunchtime, students would attend different practical courses, such as gardening, embroidery, weaving, and cooking, and have theory lessons. During the second part of the day, there was a coffee break and outdoor activities, as well as a one hour handicrafts session. The day ended with beforementioned lectures, dinner at 7 pm, and the singing of psalms at 10 pm. 

    Three times a week, a kvöldvaka ("evening wake") was held, where teachers would take turns reading for students. The kvöldvaka is a custom cultivated during the long, dark winters in Iceland. All members of a household would sit together in the room known as the baðstofa, the central room in the traditional Icelandic turf houses, where everyone lived, slept, and worked. People would spend the evening doing handicrafts, working the wool, or doing repairs while telling each other stories, reciting poetry, and reading from the scriptures. Sigrún wanted the school to be as welcoming and homely as possible for both teachers and students. Everyone shared the same house and responsibilities, and spend a lot of time together. 

    During the first three years, there were only around 15 - 20 students per year. These were difficult times in Iceland, and not many families could afford the tuition. From 1933 onwards, however, the school was fully booked, with up to 30 students attending every year.  In 1943, a special weaving department was opened, a two year program, where only two girls were educated at a time. One of the students graduating this program was the Icelandic artist Guðrún Vigfúsdóttir. 

    Sources: 

    Eiríkur Sigurðsson. (1978). Af héraði og úr fjörðum. Reykjavík: Bókfell hf. [bls. 11 – 38]

    Halldóra Bjarnadóttir. (1970). Sigrún P. Blöndal. Heima er bezt, bls. 69 – 72.

    Sigurður Blöndal. (1979). Sigrún Pálsdóttir Blöndal. Í Gísli Kristjánsson (Ritstj.)Móðir mín húsfreyjan, 187 – 220. Reykjavík: Bókfell hf.

  • Solveig Arnórsdóttir

    Solveig Arnórsdóttir was born on May 25, 1928 in Reykjadal, S-Þingeyjarsýslu district. Her parents were Arnór Sigurjónsson, the first director of Alþýðuskóla school in Laugar, and Helga Kristjánsdóttir, who was a teacher at the same school. Solveig lived in Reykjadalur until she was 7 years old. The family then moved to Reykjavík, but Solveig still spend many a summer in the countryside, as many children did during that time, staying at her grandfather Sigurjón Friðjónsson's farm in Litli-Laugar, and Höfði in Mývatn later on. 

    Solveig attended Miðbæjarskólinn school in Reykjavík, Menntaskólinn in Akureyri, and the Women's College (Húsmæðraskóli) in Laugar 1946-1947, where her mother Helga was a board member. In the autumn of 1951, Solveig left for Sweden, where her oldest sister Steinunn lived with her husband. 

    In Stockholm, Solveig attended the renowned weaving college "Handarbetets Vänners Vävskola“, where she obtained a teaching degree in 1953. The years in Sweden were formative for the young woman from Iceland.  It is here that she met some of her closest friends, fellow students Sigríður Halldórsdóttir, Astrid Axelsson, and Ingrid Matsson, and learned about the Swedish style of weaving. It was very different from weaving in Iceland at the time: In Laugar, students used to work with Icelandic wool yarns, like "kambgarn" from Álafoss and Gefjun, which has little in common with the soft kambgarn made of Merino wool we know today. There was also a difference in colour choices. In Iceland, darker and subdued hues were used, whereas in Sweden, bright and cheerful colours were popular. Solveig also learned how to work with linen (flaxseed) and "cottólin", a blend of cotton and linen. 

    Upon returning to Iceland, Solveig started working as a weaving teacher at the Women's College (Kvennaskólinn) in Blönduós. The school director was Hulda Stefánsdóttir at the time. At first, the Swedish influences regarding choice of colour and material were dominant in Solveig's work. Later on, Icelandic influences became more apparent. Solveig taught students how to prepare and set up a loom, find inspiration and tackle different types of projects, and work with different patterns of Swedish, Norwegian or Icelandic origin. She developed her own teaching materials, and very much enjoyed teaching at Kvennaskólinn. 

    While in Blönduós, Solveig met and married Halldór Hafstað, a farmer from Vík in Skagafirði. The couple eventually moved to newly built dairy farm Útvík in Skagafjörður. When Solveig stopped teaching in Blönduós, she also stopped weaving for the most part. She did, however, keep a loom in her house and wove a carpet runner from Álafoss yarn for Þingeyrarkirkju church in 1962-1963, upon the wish of Hulda Stefánsdóttir. Solveig also continued to work as an examiner for Kvennaskólinn and Húsmæðraskóla in Löngumýri, and taught handcrafts at Staðarhrepp and Sauðárkrókur elementary schools from 1970 until 1995.

    During her Skagafjörður years, Solveig was socially and politically active. She was the head of the Skagafjörður Women's Association from 1983-1989, head of her district Staðarhreppur from 1988-1992, and a board member for several schools and societies. Both Solveig and Halldor also were members of the Skagafjörður forestry association. 

    The couple, who have four children, lived in Útvík until 1994, when their son Árni sonur took over the farm. Solveig and Halldór moved to Dýjabekk in 1993 and then Sauðárkrókur in 2019, where they still live.