Lappesaker

Lappesaker is a Norwegian term that refers to patchwork-related textiles, objects, and practices. The word combines lapp (patch) and saker (things), and is used in Nordic craft contexts to describe both the finished patchwork items and the activities around making them.

Historically, lappeteknikk (patchwork techniques) developed as a practical craft in rural households where fabric scraps were scarce. Quilts, blankets, and covers were assembled from small pieces of fabric, serving both utilitarian and social functions, as women and sometimes men exchanged patterns and scraps in quilting circles.

Techniques commonly associated with lappesaker include patchwork blocks such as squares and diamonds, appliqué to attach patches, and quilting to join layers. Materials are typically cotton, wool, and linen, though modern practitioners incorporate synthetic fabrics. Finishing options include hand or machine quilting, backing fabrics, and decorative borders.

Today, lappesaker exists as a hobby, artistic discipline, and heritage practice. Contemporary practitioners may pursue traditional patterns or improvisational patchwork, produce gallery pieces, or teach workshops. The term also appears in museum catalogs and craft literature as part of the broader field of Nordic textile arts.

See also: patchwork, lappeteknikk, quilting.