Textile Tour of Sweden with Suzie Liles

10 September 2023

12 Days

$4,680

per person, twin share (land tour only).
$795 supplement for sole use of a hotel room.

Tour Leader

Suzie Liles & Sarah Rambousek

Tour Info

OVERVIEW

The Textile Tour of Sweden is a heartfelt journey into Swedish fiber traditions, from an inside look at loom manufacturing to visits to revered museums that house generations of costumes and folk-art treasures. Map A Japanese Sample for Quilt Textile Lovers

This in-depth tour begins in Stockholm with a stop at the country’s only remaining silk mill, K.A. Almgren Silk Factory & Museum. Visits to the Royal Armory, the Nordiska Museet, the Stockholm craft association, and Handarbetets Vänner – a handicraft and textile center – deepen appreciation for Sweden’s rich textile history.

As you travel to central and southern Sweden, the country’s longstanding textile tradition continues to come to life through visits to a fabric printer and weaving operations. You’ll walk alongside the river that once powered textile mills in Borås. Tours of medieval town centers, the vibrant Malmö Live concert venue, and shopping districts with wares from today’s artisans are all part of this textile journey. Along the way, you also will participate in workshops that provide firsthand experience in creating in the Swedish tradition.

HIGHLIGHTS

In Stockholm, visit the country’s only remaining silk mill, K.A. Almgren Silk Factory & Museum
Visits to a fabric printer and weaving operations
Walk alongside the river that once powered textile mills in Borås
Tours of medieval town centers, the vibrant Malmö Live concert venue, and shopping districts with wares from today’s artisans
Participate in workshops that provide firsthand experience in creating in the Swedish tradition

Detailed Itinerary

START & FINISH

The tour begins at 6.00 pm at Clarion Hotel Amaranten in Stockholm on Sun, September 10. The tour concludes after breakfast at Clarion H & C Malmö Live in Malmö, on Thu, September 21.

Itinerary

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 Sun Sep 10 Arrive Stockholm

The tour commences at the hotel at 6pm. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink and welcome dinner. (D)

Day 2 Mon Sep 11 Stockholm

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Stockholm’s Old Town. Gamla Stan is the city's original city center, which dates back to medieval times. This is followed by a visit to the K. A. Almgren Silk Factory & Museum and the UNESCO World Heritage Skogskyrkogården (the Woodland Cemetery). (B)

Day 3 Tue Sep 12 Stockholm

This morning visit the Nordiska Museet (Nordic Museum) to take in its stunning folk art, textiles and Sami collections. Enjoy a private guided tour of Stockholm Handicraft Association and Handarbetets Vänner (Friends of Handicraft) on the island of Djurgården. Established in 1874, Handarbetets Vänner is one of the oldest and most distinguished handicraft and textile institutions in Sweden and includes a textile studio, textile art and weaving school, a gallery, and store. In the afternoon, visit the Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum where Swedish traditions and craftsmanship live on. Finish the day with a visit to National Museum, Sweden's largest art museum. (B)

Day 4 Wed Sep 13 Stockholm-Oxberg-Mora

Travel to Oxberg to visit GAV Glimåkra AB. Founded in 1926, the company's first product was reeds. For several hundred years, reed making has been concentrated in central Sweden. Today, production includes high quality looms and weaving equipment that is valued worldwide. We will tour the Workshop and see firsthand how the looms and accessories are made. (B)

Day 5 Thu Sep 14 Mora

Visit Jobs Handtryck (fabric printers) in Leksand. Jobs is a family-owned and operated company that has created beautiful hand-painted textiles since 1944. Then enjoy the many facets of Leksands Kulturhus, a cultural center that houses a library, museum, local history archive, and shop. The museum's permanent collections include paintings and costumes that showcase Swedish textile art. (B, D)

Day 6 Fri Sep 15 Mora-Klässbol-Tösse

After breakfast, travel to Klässbol by coach and visit the Klässbols Linneväveri, a family-owned business that produces a wide range of linen items. Its products are found in the royal court, embassies, and at the Nobel banquet. It also collaborates with international designers and creates goods for the private market. (B)

Day 7 Sat Sep 16 Tösse-Borås

Travel to Borås where textiles have a long history. Visit the Abecita Museum of Modern Art, where exhibitions include Nordic textiles as well as photography and graphic art. (B)

Day 8 Sun Sep 17 Borås

Spend a full day in Borås with a visit to the Textile Museum of Sweden to learn about the Swedish textile and fashion industries. Also enjoy a walking tour of the town to experience nature, art, and dining, and then cruise its 17-century canals aboard Paddan boats, charming flat, open-top vessels. (B)

Day 9 Mon Sep 18 Borås-Tingsryd-Olofström

Travel to Tingsryd to visit Tingsryd Vävstugan, a weaving house where 22 looms produce a variety of Swedish household textiles. Continue to Olofström for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 10 Tue Sep 19 Olofström-Glimåkra-Malmö

Today we visit the Glimåkra Loom Museum, later drive to the stunning Country Estate of Wanås at Knislinge for lunch. Travel to Malmö and check in. (B, L)

Day 11 Wed Sep 20 Malmö

Enjoy a city tour of this welcoming town, beginning with the Central Station area. Cross the Hovrättsbron bridge to Slottsgatan island, a destination time capsule with stops throughout Malmö's Gamla Staden, its medieval old town. Point of interest include the beloved Lilla Torg (little square), and the Form/Design Center, where historic half-timbered houses are today's galleries and boutiques selling art, fashion, crafts, toys, and housewares. This fascinating walking tour concludes with a return through Lilla Torg to Stortorget, Malmö's massive main square, to view a statue of King Karl X Gustav. Enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 12 Thu Sep 21 Depart Malmö

Our tour concludes today after breakfast at the hotel. (B)

Tour Leader

SUZIE LILES & SARAH RAMBOUSEK

Suzie Liles has taught weaving for over 35 years. Suzie is very enthusiastic and loves to share her knowledge. She has taught workshops and seminars for adults and children in the United States and Canada. Suzie has an MFA in Fibers from the University of Oregon. She is a member of the Handweavers Guild of America and has written many articles for Handwoven Magazine. She is the owner of Eugene Textile Center and co-owner of Glimakra USA with her daughter Sarah Rambousek. Sarah has been weaving since she was very little; even before she was 10 years old, she helped Suzie teach. She has become deeply knowledgeable about looms and yarns. Sarah is the CEO of Glimakra USA. Glimakra USA imports most of their products from Sweden, which gives her insight into the Swedish community and textile traditions.

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Inclusions

TOUR INCLUSIONS

What is included in the tour price?

11 nights twin-share accommodation at well-appointed hotels with private bath or shower
Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner as stated in the itinerary
Transportation, including coach, train and cruise as stated in the itinerary
Visits and experiences as stated in the itinerary
An English-speaking guide to accompany the group throughout the trip

What is not included in the tour price?