For me, this class is a bit difficult, because the teacher does not speak much English. I have had to rely on my classmates to help me understand what to do. The teacher is very patient. Several times, she has been able to show me what to do next, even though I only understand a little of what she is saying.
Many handcrafts, including knitting and sewing, are still taught in Finnish schools. This means that many people have the skills to do handcrafts. For me, having the chance to attend a class to learn more about handcrafts provides a connection to the past, and also a time to socialize.
National costume specifically offers Finns the chance to engage directly with their past. Many of the people in my class have chosen to make national costumes from places where their families are from. In some cases, they are even taking national costumes that their grandmothers made, and altering these garments better to fit themselves!
When buying materials like fabric and yarn, Finns are very particular. They like to support local products. For example, many shops sell Finnsheep wool, made from a local breed of sheep. While making my national costume, the fabric I bought for the shirt is linen from Finland.
In addition to buying local materials, many of the things Finns make are practical, too. In the winter, I look forward to staying warm with my hand knit wool socks, mittens and hat!
