Märta Måås-Fjetterström: Weaving a Legacy
Märta Måås-Fjetterström didn’t just design textiles—she redefined them. Born in 1873, she broke conventions and built a weaving studio in Båstad in 1919, at a time when women rarely ran their own businesses. Inspired by Swedish nature, folklore, and historical patterns, her rugs and tapestries became more than decor—they became art.
Today, over a century later, her studio is still active, keeping her vision alive with handwoven masterpieces that blend tradition with timeless design. From royal palaces to modern interiors, her work continues to inspire and captivate.
The Early Years and Beginnings of a Textile Visionary
Born in 1873 in Sweden, Märta Måås-Fjetterström didn’t just create beautiful textiles; she crafted an enduring legacy.
Märta Måås-Fjetterström left home at 17 to study art in Stockholm, training as an illustrator and drawing teacher. After graduating, she began designing textiles. She worked at Kulturen in Lund before becoming director of the Malmöhus County Handicraft Association. Her unconventional style led to her dismissal in 1909—pushing her to forge her own path.
Soon after, Märta Måås-Fjetterström moved to Vittsjö in the scenic Scanian countryside, where she partnered with Lilli Zickerman of the artisan collective Zickermännerna to lead a new weaving school. She found the freedom to develop her designs, inspired by nature, Scanian textiles, and Oriental rugs.
Founding the Båstad Studio
In 1919, at a time when it was rare for women to run their own businesses, she established her weaving studio in the small town of Båstad. This was a remarkable achievement, given the societal norms of the early 20th century. That same year, women in Sweden gained the right to vote, and had Märta Måås-Fjetterström had been married, she would have needed her husband's approval to start her business.
Blending Tradition and Innovation in Textile Art
Her designs were revolutionary. Inspired by Swedish nature, folklore, and historical patterns, she blended tradition with modernity. Her tapestries and rugs weren’t just home decor—they were art. From the very beginning, Märta Måås-Fjetterström was committed to excellence. She gathered skilled weavers who shared her passion, ensuring that every creation was meticulously handmade with the highest quality materials.
Preserving a Legacy: The Continuation of Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s Vision
Märta Måås-Fjetterström passed away in 1941, but her legacy lived on through the 700 sketches she left behind.
The studio she founded continued under the leadership of Barbro Nilsson, herself a gifted designer and weaver, who respected Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s vision while bringing her own creativity to the studio. Under her guidance, the studio thrived and continued to innovate, ensuring that Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s legacy lived on.
Marianne Richter and Ann-Marie Forsberg, former students of Barbro Nilsson, joined her at the studio and went on to create many renowned designs.
After Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s passing, pieces woven at the studio were marked with the signature AB MMF.
A Century of Timeless Craftsmanship and Design
What’s remarkable is that Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB is still active today, more than a century later. It remains in Båstad, continuing her legacy of exquisite craftsmanship and timeless design. Each piece is still woven by hand, following MMFs original patterns, proving that good design never goes out of style.
Her work continues to grow in popularity, gracing the halls of prestigious museums and institutions worldwide. From the Swedish Royal Palace to international art galleries, her textiles are celebrated as masterpieces. Collectors and interior designers alike are drawn to the way her work seamlessly fits into both contemporary and classic spaces.
Curious to learn more? There’s a stunning bilingual coffee table book available on the Märta Måås-Fjetterström website, perfect for diving deeper into her world of timeless design.
Featured collection
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Röda slingan Rug by Märta Måås-Fjetterström
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Framed Vintage Tapestry by Märta Måås-Fjetterström
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Vintage Tapestry - Crocus by Märta Måås-Fjetterström
