Ironing and Pressing a Bunad – the Gentle Way

Steam rather than iron

Most creases on a bunad drop out without an iron at all. Steam from a garment steamer – or simply hanging the bunad in a steamy bathroom – relaxes folds without direct contact, and that is always the safest first choice for wool with embroidery. Always remove the silver first; heat and pressure can damage brooches, buttons and clasps.

1. Remove all bunad silver before you start – brooches (søljer), buttons, clasps and dangling løv.
2. Hang the bunad in open air for a while; gravity alone pulls out the lightest creases.
3. Hold the steamer slightly off the fabric and keep it moving – do not soak the wool.
4. Or hang the bunad in a steamy bathroom for a few minutes, and let it hang until dry again.

How to press the bunad safely with an iron

If you must use an iron, three things protect the garment: pressing from the reverse, always with a damp pressing cloth between the iron and the wool, and lifting and setting the iron down rather than dragging it. A hot iron straight on bunad wool leaves a shiny surface (glansing) and, at worst, scorch marks.

1. Turn the garment inside out where you can, so you press the wrong side and spare the face of the wool.
2. Lay a clean, damp cotton or linen cloth between the iron and the fabric – never iron straight on the wool.
3. Lift and press: set the iron down, press, lift and move. Dragging the iron stretches and distorts the wool.
4. Use moderate heat, and let the bunad hang until cold and fully dry before you wear it or store it.

Never press over embroidery and silver

The embroidery is meant to stand in relief – it is supposed to rise from the fabric. Iron flat over rosesaum or hardangersøm and it loses its texture and can be ruined. To smooth the fabric behind an embroidered area, lay the piece face-down on a soft surface.

1. Place a folded towel on the ironing board as a soft surface.
2. Lay the embroidered area face-down on the towel, so the embroidery sinks in and keeps its relief.
3. Press gently from the reverse around the motifs – never straight over them.
4. Keep all silver off until the pressing is completely done.

Common mistakes that damage a bunad

Many bunad injuries happen at the ironing board, not in wear. These are the most common – and the easiest to avoid:

• A hot iron straight on the wool – leaves a shiny surface and scorch marks.
• Dragging the iron instead of lifting and pressing – stretches the wool out of shape.
• Ironing flat over the embroidery – flattens the relief for good.
• Ironing over a stain – the heat sets the stain permanently. Treat the stain first, without heat.
• A coloured cloth as a pressing cloth – can bleed its own dye into damp wool. Always use a white or undyed cloth.

When the bunad should go to a professional

If there are deep, set creases across embroidered panels, or the bunad has been stored badly and needs proper reshaping, that is past the limit of home pressing. The same goes if you are unsure whether the wool or the dye can take heat – then you are safest with professionals. If the bunad needs cleaning, repair or alteration anyway, you can send it to us; a professional clean also includes correct finishing and pressing. Describe your wish, for example silver polishing, in the comment field. You see the price before you order. Be early – dry-cleaners fill up before 17 May.

Frequently asked questions