Handicraft museum Miila

The museum’s exhibition spaces are fully accessible.

The first exhibition floor can be reached either by stairs or via an accessible ramp (the door is opened upon request). Two accessible parking spaces are located close to the museum entrance.

The workshop facilities on the ground floor are accessible without stairs via a gently sloping, unpaved but even pathway.

The second exhibition floor can be accessed using a stairlift (chair lift).

The museum accepts both the Companion Card and the EU Disability Card, making it easier for visitors who require assistance to participate in cultural activities.

There are plenty of chairs throughout the exhibition spaces, and visitors are welcome to use them freely during their visit.

An English-language museum guide leaflet is also available. Guide leaflets can be collected from the museum ticket desk.

Museum Facilities

The museum’s ground floor houses the staff facilities and rentable spaces. The middle floor features restrooms, the reception desk, the museum shop, the first permanent exhibition, and the temporary exhibition gallery. The top floor includes the second permanent exhibition and a children’s play corner.

Getting to the Museum by Public Transport

The nearest long-distance bus stop (Matkahuolto) is approximately 150 metres from the museum. Bus connections are available from Salo, Turku, and Kemiönsaari. Local Föli buses also operate between Turku and Paimio.

The permanent exhibition Everyday labor (Arkista aherrusta) opened in the summer of 2020, and Festive crafts (Käsityön juhlaa) opened in the spring of 2019. Both exhibitions are based on the Kärest pitäen project, which documented the craft traditions of Southwest Finland, and on the book published as part of the project in 2018.

Everyday labor explores the changing role and significance of handicrafts in everyday life during the 20th century. On display are, among other things, handicrafts made by soldiers during wartime, as well as tools used in the production of cloth and wool. Visitors can also try operating a traditional spinning wheel and a vintage sewing machine.

Festive crafts presents handicrafts associated with different life celebrations, from clothing to decoration, mainly during the 20th century. Highlights include Elsa Tuomola’s wedding dress from 1914 and bridal trousseau items dating back to the 19th century. The exhibition also features a children’s corner where young visitors can enjoy pretend tea parties or make simple crafts.

The exhibition includes examples of Finnish national costumes as well as the Paimio dress, which became part of the permanent exhibition after being featured in the museum’s 2025 special exhibition. The Paimio costume was first designed in 1980 and consists of a red, black and grey striped skirt, a white blouse and a shoulder shawl. Later in the 1980s, a matching pocket, an additional shoulder shawl and the distinctive Paimio brooch were added to complete the costume.

The Miila Craft Museum’s special exhibition for the summer of 2026, Havina, showcases bird-inspired textile artworks by Jessica Koivistoinen.

Through her work, Koivistoinen expresses her admiration for birds. She enjoys observing them in nature and recreates the small details she discovers in her art. Her work celebrates the full diversity of birdlife—large and small, common and rare, colourful and understated.

The artworks feature a variety of textile techniques, including tufting, traditional rya rug making, and embroidery. Koivistoinen enjoys combining different techniques and often finishes her tufted works with embroidered details. Visitors unfamiliar with these techniques can also learn more about them through the exhibition texts.

Jessica Koivistoinen graduated from the Degree Programme in Fine Arts at the Turku Arts Academy in 2021. Her works have previously been exhibited in Helsinki, Turku, Tampere and Pori. Alongside her artistic practice, she volunteers with the Turku Ornithological Society, contributing to bird monitoring and conservation work.

The exhibition texts have been written by museum intern Aada Lehtinen, with the installation of the exhibition supported by the rest of the museum staff.

The exhibition is on display from 3 June to 31 October 2026.

There will be no official opening event, but visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artist during an Artist Meet & Greet at the museum on Friday, 21 August.

Jessica Koivistoinen, Kiuru.

Handicraft Museum Miila is maintained by the Lyyli Tuomola Foundation, one of the entities within the City of Paimio Group.

The foundation was established by the City of Paimio in 2010 to administer the bequest left by Lyyli Tuomola of Halikko. Under the terms of her will, the foundation was required to establish a handicraft museum, preserve the Tuomola family’s handicrafts, organize exhibitions, and acquire suitable museum premises in Paimio.

The foundation’s purpose is to preserve the handicrafts and works of art in its care and make them accessible to the public. It also promotes research into handicraft traditions and works to increase public awareness and appreciation of Finland’s handicraft heritage.

The foundation is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees appointed by the City Board of Paimio. Board members serve two-year terms. For the 2025–2026 term, the Board consists of Eira Alander (Chair), Marika Mulari (Vice Chair), and members Klaus Haanpää, Eeva Heurlin, and Markku Ylihonko. The City’s Director of Education and Cultural Services, Jyrki Lumiainen, and the City Manager, Nina-Mari Turpela, have the right to attend and speak at board meetings.

The foundation reports on its activities to the City Board of Paimio twice a year.

Our selection includes handcrafted products from talented local makers, including:

• Yarn made from Finnish wool from Vuonue, along with knitting accessories
• Glass ornaments and jewellery by Ullasi Glass Studio
• Honey and candles from Nurmen Puutarha
• Knitting accessories by Succaplokki
• Jewellery by EmiKA
• Crocheted earrings by Tarumainen Crafts
• Teapot cozies, pot holders, fire blankets, and decorative twig ornaments by Sallan Paja
• Sauna textiles made at Activity Centre Apila
• Straw ornaments and traditional himmeli decorations by Pertti Mäkinen
• Greeting cards by Kaisa Karjalainen
• Greeting cards by Kati Saarelainen
• Knitted and crocheted handmade items by Tuija Muntola
• Jewellery, wool socks, and other handmade products by Hanna Vuorio
• Confectionery from Makeido
• Pääteasema, published by the Paimio Karelian Association
• Postcards and the Sukupolvien työ DVD from the Paimio Heritage Association
• Ash-glazed ceramic tableware by Kastemaa Ceramics
• Necklaces and earrings by Joakim Puumalainen