May 17th is Norway’s constitution day, and it’s just around the corner. It’s kind of a big deal here – so I thought I’d share a little peek into how we celebrate it.
NOTE: Although I won't be able to finish a new quilt in time for the big celebration, I've mocked up a few quilt patterns in red, white and blue, of course, so scroll down if you're here just for the quilts!
In Norway, 17th of May is all about the kids. We skip the military parades and tanks and go straight for ice cream and marching bands. Every town has a children’s parade, with kids waving flags, singing, and wearing bunads or their best spring jackets (with a wool sweater under, just in case). It’s loud, joyful, and slightly chaotic—and honestly, kind of perfect. We usually go to town for breakfast at a café before watching the parade in Tønsberg. After a few ice cream (and, honestly, probably a nap) we enjoy the local parade in our neighbourhood, which is a little later in the afternoon. Because you can never get too many children's parades on May 17th! When our kids were still in school, we'd gather in the school yard with everyone else for games, cakes, more ice cream and the mandatory "Where in Norway is your bunad from?"
Speaking of bunad: Those are the national costumes of Norway. There are myriads of local variations, with roots in traditional garments found around the country, and reconstructed. Mine is from the Sunnmøre region in the Northwest, the area where I grew up. It was embroidered by my grandma for my confirmation, and I wear it every May 17th and at other festive occasions. And yes, it's all 100% wool (except the white shirt, the headwear and the underskirt!) – hot stuff, right?
Not surprisingly, there will be flags all over the place on May 17th. The Norwegian flag is a blue cross inside a white cross on a red background, and it's similar to most the other Nordic flags.
In the spirit of the national day, I've mocked up all the Scandiquilts patterns in red, white and blue. This trio is such a timeless color combination, and it is said to be the colors of freedom. No wonder so many countries have red, white and blue flags! So if you're looking for a patriotic quilt, a 4th of July quilt, a Dutch, French, Icelandic, British or Australian (and many others) quilt... Well, these might be a great fit!
Waffles & jam quilt in red, white and blue
FREE PATTERN: Stormy stitches quilt in red, white and blue – this one comes together quickly!
The Fjord star quilt in red, white and blue – it won't get more patriotic than this!
This dark blue pine trip quilt is probably my favorite of the red, white and blue quilt mockups. Those gradients are so good!
The Salty fibers quilt will look good in three colors – or in a scrappy version, made by deep-diving into those red, white and blue scrap bins!
Let's not forget the (red) Atlantic herring quilt!
And last, but not least: The Old Cabin quilt, which really lends itself to these colors with its mix of darks and lights.
These days, with all that's going on in the world, it feels extra special to live in a country where we've been lucky to live in peace since 1945. We're celebrating 80 years of freedom this May – a freedom that we must never take for granted. <3 I feel grateful.