Embroidery Gathering – Add Your Stitches to Guðrún’s Flower Garden

The National Museum of Iceland and Annríki invite visitors to a series of embroidery gatherings inspired by the traditions of our foremothers during the early winter months. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the art of floral embroidery and contribute to a collaborative handicraft project that will be preserved at the museum.

The gatherings will begin following the Sunday guided tours or Tuesday lectures on the following dates:

Sunday, 18 October at 15:00
Sunday, 25 October at 15:00
Sunday, 15 November at 15:00
Tuesday, 17 November at 13:00
Sunday, 22 November at 15:00

Mother of Flowers – Guðrún Skúladóttir (1740–1816)

Guðrún Skúladóttir was renowned for her exquisite craftsmanship. The exhibition features three skirts made by her, all adorned with colourful flowers created using traditional floral embroidery techniques. Guðrún earned her living through embroidery and teaching handicrafts at her workshop, Annríki, in Viðeyjarstofa. By the end of her life, she had earned the honorary title "Mother of Flowers."

During the embroidery gatherings, participants will gain insight into the world of traditional women's handicrafts by embroidering flowers onto woollen fabric using colourful, naturally dyed yarn. We will come together, learn from one another and enjoy adding our own stitches to Guðrún's flower garden.

A Collaborative Handicraft Project

Instruction in floral embroidery will be provided, and all materials will be available on site, including woollen fabric with a printed pattern, naturally dyed yarn and needles. Experienced craftspeople from Annríki – Traditional Costumes and Jewellery will guide and assist participants. The embroidery will be completed at the museum, where the finished pieces will remain. Eventually, they will be assembled into a skirt bearing the stitches of everyone who has taken part.

For those who wish to continue embroidering at home, floral embroidery kits will be available for purchase in the museum shop.

A museum admission ticket includes participation in the event. Please note that every admission ticket also serves as an annual pass, providing access to all museum exhibitions and events for one year from the date of purchase upon presentation of the ticket. Admission to exhibitions and events is free for children under 18.

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