Native american quilting from seminole patchwork to hopi. The style developed into distinct designs made of tribal motifs with significant meanings. See more ideas about seminole patchwork, quilts and seminole indians. Patchwork clothing, considered by many to be the seminoles traditional dress, is really quite modern, flowering around 1920. In the southeastern united states, beadwork is typically curvilinear and makes use of negative space in other words, the beads do not cover the entire surface. Besides taking a class with reeze, a good reference is cheryl greider bradkins basic seminole piecing with over 50 designs. The pretty diamond pattern is made in the style of traditional seminole clothing patchwork, which can be timeconsuming to sew, but looks great and uses up tiny scraps of fabric. By the mid1920s, designs were relatively restrained, with patchwork commonly limited to three to four bands. Etsy uses cookies and similar technologies to give you a better experience, enabling things like. Seminole women usually wore long skirts that reached their ankles. See more ideas about seminole patchwork, quilts and patchwork. Seminole quilting originated from the seminole patchwork used for clothing by these southeastern native americans.
Vintage seminole doll patchwork and palmetto husk doll native american doll 1940s 1950s seminole indian doll. Patchwork designs, inc native american patch program. Code switch native american symbols have long caught the eye of nonnative fashion designers. Patchwork clothing, considered by many to be the seminoles traditional dress, is really quite modern, flowering. Designs are never written down and new patterns are still being created. Art and history of the florida seminole and miccosukee indians. Patchwork can also be used to deocrate quilts or personalize everyday items such as glass cases and cell phone holders.
Seminole patchwork is created by joining a series of horizontal strips to produce repetitive geometric designs. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. I have been told many stories by elders and by others in various tribes in oklahoma. The patchwork designs you will see are designed by seminole tribal members. Pottery was created for water jars, bowls, and decorative purposes. This a really excellent howto book for someone who wishes to decorate clothing items or regalia with seminole patchwork.
Quilting was not part of native american culture, however the seminole tribe. It can be defined as the process of sewing pieces of solid colored cloth together to make long rows of designs, which are then joined horizontally to other bands of cloth to form a garment downs, 1995, 88. A few designs represent powerful elements like water and fire. Daphne will show you how to create eight bands of patchwork using simple rotary cutting and basic piecing techniques. The seminole made and wore many rings and bracelets made of silver. See more ideas about seminole patchwork, patchwork and quilt border. I have done my best to convey these stories in the spirit in which they were told to me. She thought that this would make their work more appealing to tourists. Apr 23, 2019 used originally by native americans and is a symbol of their designs. Seminole strip piecing has uses in quilts, wall hangings, and t.
Where can i learn about native american patterns for quilts. Included below are pictures along with the descriptions and meanings of the symbols. Like the band, clan membership was inherited from the mother. Seminole piecing is a patchwork method used by the seminole people of south florida to enhance their garments. For many decades, visitors to south florida have been struck by the novel and colorful dress of the seminole indians. To learn more about the seminole indians, their culture and their museum, visit suzanne graciously replied with a detailed note about her inspiration for seminole patchwork.
The seminole tribune notes, womens garments during this era consisted of a very full, floorlength skirt, gathered at the waist. This was a lot of fun and because they are small made up quickly. Relations by marriage were also extended to all members of the affected clan. In the late 1800s it was a long trip from the everglades to trade for cotton cloth so women began sewing strips made from the fabric left on the end. Bedell encouraged the seminole and miccosukee to make patchwork and name their designs. Shortly before 1920, a new decorative technique was developed by seminole women the now famous patchwork. Seminole patchwork, for which the tribe is known today, came into full flower in the 1920s. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The mathematics of seminole patchwork austin community college. Seminole patchwork designs are strip patterns, also called border or freize patterns.
This history and tradition of seminole patchwork and clothing lesson plan is suitable for 5th 12th grade. Its from 1990, so you might want to look in a used book sale. Think of it almost more like cotton origami, squares of. Seminole tribe of florida official homepage is dedicated to the rich history, culture, and services of the florida seminole indians. Native american symbols and meanings native american symbols, native. Irish symbols meanings continue to fascinate the ancient celtic symbols and signs held incredible, meaningful power in their lives. Below are some patchwork designs and what they mean. The seminole made patchwork clothes, carefully hand sewn. But when it comes to seminole patchwork designs, where is the line. Introduce students to seminole dolls and their place in seminole art history. Come check out our giant selection of tshirts, mugs, tote bags, stickers and more. Some of the seminole designs represent clans, some represent animals, others have other meanings. The earliest forms of patchwork are the designs of fire, rain, and rain and storm.
Here she teaches speedy techniques of basic strip piecing and methods for incorporating finished bands into the finished quilt. But when it comes to seminole patchwork designs, where is the line between inspiration and appropriation. Vintage sewing book, seminole patchwork, indian crafts, fashion designs, gifts, home decor ideas, multiple patterns. Textile arts of indigenous peoples of the americas wikipedia. This intricate handwork was developed by seminole women in the 1800s as a necessity for clothing which had to be made from scraps of material and leftovers during difficult times. Free returns 100% satisfaction guarantee fast shipping. Colorful patchwork a history of seminole clothing tracing the development of these famous and popular colorful patchwork designs. Great lakes and prairie tribes are known for their ribbonwork, found on clothing and blankets. Some of the patchwork designs are inspired by important legends and nature stories of the seminole and miccosukee. Im going to make a canvas tote bag and these will be the pockets one on each side of the bag. This business would be unique because there is no other design like this in the world and it is the seminole tribe that created it and it has been their trademark as far as native clothing for over a hundred years. The repeated design of strip patterns only occurs in one linear direction. These bands of designs were sewn directly into the body of the garment, forming. Youll also see a chart of the meaning of some designs.
This is not a project book, but hanisko includes a catalog of seminole designs for readers use in their own designs. If youre looking for an easy quilt border with a lot of character, try out the seminole patchwork diamond border. Dose anyone know the meaning of any of the patterns used. Seminole patchwork creations, rougemont, north carolina. Patchwork definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Seminole patchwork is not the patchwork we associate with quilting bees and bedspreads. The women wrapped necklaces of beads around their necks. By sewing strips of fabric together, cutting and setting on an angle, they created many beautiful and seemingly complex designs.
Im not a native floridian, but i love seminole patchwork, the grandmother of strip piecing. Native american symbols have long caught the eye of nonnative fashion designers. Different indian tribes make their beaded bags in different ways. Giving credit can mean anything from naming a tribe to paying for.
Cafepress brings your passions to life with the perfect item for every occasion. Seminole patchwork the seminoles of florida create absolutely beautiful full length skirts and dresses decorated with inset horizontal panels. Quilting was not part of native american culture, however the seminole tribe developed a patchwork style of piecing in strips known as seminole patchwork. T raditional seminole patchwork is a strip piecing technique devised by the seminole indians of southern florida. Seminole indians for kids and teachers clothing native. The clan were considered to be close kin and could not marry one another. Patchwork on doll clothing came about in 1933, when deaconess harriet bedell started working with the seminole and miccosukee at the glade cross mission in everglades city, florida.
Patchwork seminole patchwork, native american quilt, native. Before the evolution of seminole quilting, seminole patchwork was initially used for. They typically wore a longsleeve blouse with a cape linked to it that only came down to shoulderlength. History and tradition of seminole patchwork and clothing. The clan was the second major element of seminole society.
A patchwork quilt, cushion, or piece of clothing is made by sewing together small. Students interview seminole patchwork makers to find out about the history behind patchwork, how patchwork is made, and the meanings of various seminole patchwork. I bought a few small examples on ebay to show to the students. Early designs were blocks or bars of alternating color or often a sawtooth design. The magic comes when you cut the units apart and sew them back together. To complete their outfits, women wore tons of glass necklace beads, which is a ritualistic trend among seminole. Learn to state at least three words from this language. Created by the native americans of southern florida, seminole strip piecing is based on a simple form of decorative patchwork. Seminole and miccosukee people design their dolls to represent special characteristics of. These bands of designs were sewn directly into the body of the garment, forming an integral part of it. Some of the designs are traditional while others are unique creations of. Besides the morning star, other favorite native american designs and quilting patterns that are very popular amongst the tribes of the plains indians are the seminole patchwork and hopi quilts. Seminole strip piecing has uses in quilts, wall hangings, and traditional clothing. The designs became known as fire, rain, mountain, and so on.
The ancient celts, the people who lived in britain and ireland. Native american quilting from seminole patchwork to hopi quilts. Slow and steady quilt along video 8 row 7 seminole patchwork duration. Colchas quilt, bargello quilts, quilt border, quilt blocks, quilting templates, quilting tutorials.
Post card of a seminole woman sewing patchwork 2012357. They used clay from nearby mountains to create pots using the coil method, shaped by. I have an older book that show many designs but nothing that gives any clue as to weather or not they stand for something. Numerous designs and patterns from simple to complex. Tourists enthusiastically bought seminole patchwork clothing on trips to florida. At first made by hand, the style developed into definite designs made of tribal motifs with significant meanings, and as sewing machines became available, the. Seminole women are known for their artful stitchery, in which they piece together scraps of material in patchwork designs to produce colorful bands that are attached skirts, shirts, and other items made of a fabric called calico. Others with jackets give conflicting info on the designs of their jackets. The celts had a lot of symbols in their lore, this page features some of the most popular knots, and symbols that the celtic people recognized and used in their symbolism. Seminole revisited quilt pattern quilting fabrications. Patchwork, also called intricate patchword, is different from applique work in that the pieces making the designs are part of the garments structure. Seminole indians, native american indians, seminole patchwork, jacket dress, shirt dress, indian dolls, work jackets, patchwork patterns, my heritage.