By Robbie LaFleur
Marit Stevning with the Flesberg Bydgekvinnelag (Women’s Community Association) set out this month to take photos of some historical flesberg coverlets in her area. Of course this is a project complicated by COVID. She took snapshots of several wonderful weavings, mostly historical ones, and offered to continue the fotojakt in the post-pandemic future. Thank you to Marit! All readers will appreciate the colors and patterns in these pieces, and many may be inspired to try the technique themselves.
Wiil Wangestad
Here are three coverlets from the home of Wiil Wangestad. Wiil has woven a number of new flesberg pieces, too, but these are from her collection of many old coverlets.
Wiil Wangestad, Coverlet 1
Wiil Wangestad, Coverlet 1, detail 1
Wiil Wangestad, Coverlet 1, detail 2
Wiil Wangestad, Coverlet 2
Wiil Wangestad, Coverlet 2, detail
Wiil Wangestad, Coverlet 3
Åse Bjøråsen
Åse Bjøråsen, from Væåsmogen, displayed old coverlets for Marit.
Åse Bjøråsen, Coverlet 1. You can tell the weaver was skilled; the coverlet is woven in two lengths, and the patterns match nicely.
Åse Bjøråsen, Coverlet 1, Detail
Åse Bjøråsen, Coverlet 2
Åse Bjøråsen, Coverlet 2, Detail
Astri Førli
Astri Førli was one of the women who was active in the original collecting and registering of flesberg coverlets in the area. The first piece is one that Astri inherited from her uncle. The second was woven by Astri.
Astri Førli, owner. In this piece inherited from her uncle, it is interesting that the patterns are not matching along the seam.
Astri Førli, owner. Detail.
Flesbergplegg woven by Astri Førli
Flesbergplegg woven by Astri Førli, detail.
Lampeland Hotel
Marit photographed this old piece at at the hotel in Lampeland.
Lampeland Hotell coverlet in flesberg.
Lampeland Hotell coverlet in flesberg, detail.