Iceland’s economic history and home‑based industry

The museum reveals part of Iceland’s economic history and shows how subsistence farming and home‑based production gradually met modern commercial practices in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Exhibition of embroidery and handcraft

This exhibition at the Textile Museum is designed to create atmosphere and emotional connection. On display are beautiful women’s undergarments from earlier times, along with intricate embroidery, crochet and tatting. To ensure variety, items are regularly rotated and replaced with new pieces from the museum’s collection.

Icelandic national costumes

The museum holds a fine selection of Icelandic national costumes – including skautbúningur, upphlutur and peysuföt. Some of the costumes date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and show the development of Icelandic clothing traditions.

Wool exhibition – Icelandic wool and natural dyes

Visitors can touch Icelandic wool and feel the difference between tog and þel. The exhibition features handmade shawls, knitted and crocheted from either tog or þel. Some pieces are dyed with natural plants, while others display the wool’s natural colours. Knitted mittens, socks and many other items complete the exhibition.

Halldóra Room – in memory of Halldóra Bjarnadóttir

The Halldóra Room is a special department within the Textile Museum, located in the upper part of the old museum building. It is dedicated to Halldóra Bjarnadóttir (1873–1981), a nationally known woman who served as home‑economics advisor for the Icelandic Farmers’ Association. Halldóra published the annual journal Hlín for 44 years and founded the Textile School at Svalbarð in South‑Þingeyjarsýsla. She was a pioneer in women’s education, culture and the advancement of home‑based industry in the 20th century.