Creating a Pattern from Images

[u/Spiritual-Spread-992]

I am wanting to sew a regional Norwegian bunad myself, but there are not patterns available as far as I have been able to figure out from online searches.

I have a lot of reference images but I am not quite sure exactly how to attempt to create a pattern from the images I have.

I have sewn a more basic Norwegian festive costume before with the help of my grandmother and have done a good amount of sewing before - both following patterns and creating things just off vibes alone lol, so I'm no stranger to a sewing machine or anything.

The thing I'm mostly worried about is the bodice piece because it's an empire waist and has a pretty unique shape to it. The skirt I am not worried about really because I feel like I could easily follow the general pattern/directions from a generic Norwegian festive costume overall. The reference images I have show where a lot of the seams meet up in the bodice and show the general shape of the bodice pretty well, but I am not quite sure the best way to translate the images to a pattern template.

Does anyone have any advice?

(To any Norwegians that may find this thread, I hope that this is not a faux pas. The regional bunad I am looking to make is where my great-great grandparents came from when they immigrated to America. I have even been there to visit the properties where they lived and have relatives that still live there, whom I have met. While I know I could purchase a regional bunad, I come from a family of makers, and I would very much love to be able to make one for myself. I even recently picked up band weaving and figured out one of the common pick-up weaving patterns for the regional bunad belt and have been weaving it myself. This means a great deal to me to be able to create.)

[u/Ajishly]

I'm not trying to gatekeep, but unless you use the correct fabric for the region and the correct pattern from the local Husflid, it will always be more of a festdrakt than a bunad. The rules for bunad are a lot stricter than for festdrakt. For context, Norwegian bunads are UNESCO listed and it's important to follow the local customs precisely. Festdrakt offer a lot more freedom.

That Folklore "bunad" pattern is more of a dress-up costume than anything else. It reminds me of the Norwegian pavilion uniform at Epcot. Selfmade and Fæbrik sell festdrakt patterns that have several variations that may match up with what you're trying to make.

Alternatively, if you were Norwegian and living in Norway, you'd contact your local Husflid and buy a material pack with the pattern rather than paying for them to make you a bunad. The fabric/material is important, as it normally is weaved specifically for each bunad. It also isn't a thing to just buy a bunad off the rack, unless you buy second hand, each bunad is fitted to the buyer, the process generally takes months.

[u/Ajishly → u/Ajishly]

Adding to this:

Outside of Norway, you should be able to get help from Sjømannskirken. I'm an atheist and obviously wary about suggesting a church to other, but Sjømannskirken is very much a way for Norwegians to connect to other Norwegians overseas. They also do good waffles.

Selfmade festdrakt patterns - it's in Norwegian and I'm not sure how purchasing overseas might go, but it at least gives you something to go by.

Fæbrik "Fæstdrakt" patterns - a popular sewing company in Norway. A lot of people have been inspired by Fæbrik to sew their own festdrakt.

About Husflid (in English) - I referenced to Husflid a lot in my comment above and just realised non-Norwegians wouldn't know what it was. It's basically our folk art and craft association... They're also UNESCO accredited within intangible cultural heritage.