Patchwork_Shortly_before_1920,a_new_decorative_technique_was_developed_by_Seminole_women-_the_now_famous_patchwork._Early_designs_were_blocks_or_bars_of_alternating_color_or_often_a_sawtooth_design._These_bands_of_designs_were_sewn_directly_into_the_body_of_the_garment,_forming_an_integral_part_of_it.Patchwork_was_rapidly_adopted_as_a_way_to_further_embellish_the_already_colorful_clothing._As_time_went_on,_the_designs_became_more_and_more_intricate_as_the_seamstresses_became_more_adroit_at_their_new_skill._Often,_the_designs_used_on_women's_skirts_today_are_extremely_complicated.When_patchwork_was_examined,people_often_exclaim_over_the_complexity_and_ask,%22Do_the_Seminole_women_sew_each_little_piece_together?%22_There's_no_denying_that_a_great_deal_of_time_is_required_to_make_a_patchwork_garment._However,_the_making_of_patchwork_is_a_systematic_process_which_allows_the_work_to_proceed_much_faster_than_might_be_assumed.The_invention_and_utilization_of_patchwork_took_place_at_approximately_the_same_time_that_many_Seminoles_began_finding_employment_in_tourist_attractions._At_these_attractions,_Seminole_women_enjoyed_freedom_from_some_of_their_daily_tasks_which_were_routine_in_their_Everglades_camps._They_were_also_encouraged_to_be_actively_involved_in_making_arts_and_crafts_items_for_the_tourists_to_see_and_purchase._This_created_a_commercial_market_for_patchwork_items.Today,_Seminole_women_have_been_making_their_unique_patchwork_for_over_sixty_years._Several_generations_of_mothers_have_passed_this_treasured_technique_to_their_daughters._During_this_time,_patchwork_has_been_an_important_means_of_income,_as_well_as_a_source_of_Tribal_and_creative_pride._Patchwork_is_becoming_less_important_as_a_means_of_income_for_the_younger_generation,_but_patchwork_as_a_source_of_cultural_pride_and_artistic_achievement_will_continue_for_many_years_to_come._Authentic_Seminole_clothing_can_be_purchased_at_the_Marketplace.Patchwork_was_rapidly_adopted_as_a_way_to_further_embellish_the_already_colorful_clothing._As_time_went_on,_the_designs_became_more_and_more_intricate_as_the_seamstresses_became_more_adroit_at_their_new_skill._Often,_the_designs_used_on_women's_skirts_today_are_extremely_complicated._When_patchwork_was_examined,people_often_exclaim_over_the_complexity_and_ask,%22Do_the_Seminole_women_sew_each_little_piece_together?%22_There's_no_denying_that_a_great_deal_of_time_is_required_to_make_a_patchwork_garment._However,_the_making_of_patchwork_is_a_systematic_process_which_allows_the_work_to_proceed_much_faster_than_might_be_assumed._The_invention_and_utilization_of_patchwork_took_place_at_approximately_the_same_time_that_many_Seminoles_began_finding_employment_in_tourist_attractions._At_these_attractions,_Seminole_women_enjoyed_freedom_from_some_of_their_daily_tasks_which_were_routine_in_their_Everglades_camps._They_were_also_encouraged_to_be_actively_involved_in_making_arts_and_crafts_items_for_the_tourists_to_see_and_purchase._This_created_a_commercial_market_for_patchwork_items._Today,_Seminole_women_have_been_making_their_unique_patchwork_for_over_sixty_years._Several_generations_of_mothers_have_passed_this_treasured_technique_to_their_daughters._During_this_time,_patchwork_has_been_an_important_means_of_income,_as_well_as_a_source_of_Tribal_and_creative_pride._Patchwork_is_becoming_less_important_as_a_means_of_income_for_the_younger_generation,_but_patchwork_as_a_source_of_cultural_pride_and_artistic_achievement_will_continue_for_many_years_to_come._Authentic_Seminole_clothing_can_be_purchased_at_the_Marketplace.">Seminole ClothingThe woman's clothing was a full skirt that reached the floor, at the waist is an adorned area and ruffle at knee length. They wore a long sleeved blouse that has a cap attached to it. The blouse is very short and barley covered their stomach. During cool weather they wore ponchos and wear sandals called "moccasins." Moccasins were made out of tanned leather and sharpened into a sturdy slipper-shape. They completed this fine look with strings of glass necklace beads.
The men wore a simple full cut shirt. On their heads they wear a turban made from plaid wool shawls. During the cold days and winter men added another clothing. It was a colorful coat called a "long shirt." Men wore ponchos as well as the woman's. Sometimes young boys would wear a breechcloth. A breechcloth is a long rectangular piece of deerskin, cloth, or animal fur. It is worn between the legs and tucked over a belt, so that the flaps fall down in front and behind. They wore sandals too called "moccasins.
During the 1920s there was a new technique that brought much attention to the Seminoles. It is called Patchwork. Patchwork was shapes woven onto clothing's. The designs that women would make were usually blocks, bars or saw tooth. It is over sixty years now that they have been making this wonderful work of art.
Seminole Art
In the Seminole tribe it was very common for the womento wear necklaces. The necklace beads were glass, and about the size of a pea. There colors light blue, dark blue and red appear to have been there favorite color to make the beads. From the time a baby was born, a string of beads was placed around his or her neck. At age 3, the boys switched to a scarf, but girls continued to receive new bead necklaces, to add to the ones they already wore. Although each necklace was heavy, women wore more than one necklace at a time. Necklaces did not hang down. They were wrapped. The women wrapped them around and around their neck until you could not see their neck at all. All you could see were beautiful beads.
The woman's garment consisted of a very full, floor-length skirt, gathered at the waist with an adorned area and ruffle at knee length. Her long sleeved blouse has an attached cape, trimmed also with a ruffle, which came only to the shoulders. The blouse was very short, barely covering the breasts and leaving a few inches of midriff exposed between the bottom of the blouse and the top of the skirt. Old photographs usually show Seminole women with their arms crossed in front of this gap, doubtless to conform to the photographers sense of decency.
To complete the woman's outfit, she wore as many strings of glass necklace beads as she could afford. The amount of beads worn by the women was a constant source of amazement to non-Indian observers and gave rise to a popular fable which has been retold in poetry and stories. As the story goes, a Seminole baby gets the first strand of beads at birth and additional strands every year thereafter. At middle-age the sequence is reversed, until she finally goes to her grave with the first string of beads given to her at birth.
The implication of this fable is that the wearing of beads is, in general, ritualistic. It was not. The general sequence is accurate, however. The Seminole female wears beads at a very early age and added to these from time to time until a large quantity had been amassed. As the women got older, they wore fewer beads - as vanity gave way to comfort and not to prescribed ritual. The vogue of necklace beads is still present among traditionally-minded women today, although the excess of earlier times has greatly diminished.
To complete the woman's outfit, she wore as many strings of glass necklace beads as she could afford. The amount of beads worn by the women was a constant source of amazement to non-Indian observers and gave rise to a popular fable which has been retold in poetry and stories. As the story goes, a Seminole baby gets the first strand of beads at birth and additional strands every year thereafter. At middle-age the sequence is reversed, until she finally goes to her grave with the first string of beads given to her at birth.
The implication of this fable is that the wearing of beads is, in general, ritualistic. It was not. The general sequence is accurate, however. The Seminole female wears beads at a very early age and added to these from time to time until a large quantity had been amassed. As the women got older, they wore fewer beads - as vanity gave way to comfort and not to prescribed ritual. The vogue of necklace beads is still present among traditionally-minded women today, although the excess of earlier times has greatly diminished.
To complete the woman's outfit, she wore as many strings of glass necklace beads as she could afford. The amount of beads worn by the women was a constant source of amazement to non-Indian observers and gave rise to a popular fable which has been retold in poetry and stories. As the story goes, a Seminole baby gets the first strand of beads at birth and additional strands every year thereafter. At middle-age the sequence is reversed, until she finally goes to her grave with the first string of beads given to her at birth.
The implication of this fable is that the wearing of beads is, in general, ritualistic. It was not. The general sequence is accurate, however. The Seminole female wears beads at a very early age and added to these from time to time until a large quantity had been amassed. As the women got older, they wore fewer beads - as vanity gave way to comfort and not to prescribed ritual. The vogue of necklace beads is still present among traditionally-minded women today, although the excess of earlier times has greatly diminished.
The Well-Dressed Seminole Man
The Seminole man of this period wore a simple full cut shirt. A decorative area usually adorned the front placket. On his head, he wore a turban made from plaid wool shawls. These two garments, with the common addition of a (leather, woven yarn, or beaded) belt, completed the essentials of male attire.
During visits to town or in cold weather, additional items were worn. A colorful coat called a "long shirt" in the Seminole language was embellished with ruffles. Vintage photographs attest to the popularity of this garment. It appears that every adult male would have owned one; yet, in past decades, the term "medicine man's coat" has been applied to these decorative shirts. Certainly no special rank or stature was originally applied to the wearer of these once common garments.
All of the garments previously mentioned were made predominantly of cotton material obtained from trading posts. Calicos were most common, but stripes, solids and plaids were also used.
Appliqué work was a decorative technique used on garments of this period. It was sewn on garments by hand and is structurally very different from the machine-sewn patchwork invented in the 20th century. Because of the time involved in its manufacture, appliqué work was used sparingly.
Clothing made just prior to 1920 has a further characteristic: Seminole seamstresses began to sew stripes of contrasting color into the garment. By 1920, both men's and women's clothing was patterned with horizontal stripes from top to bottom.
Patchwork
Shortly before 1920, a new decorative technique was developed by Seminole women - the now famous patchwork. Early designs were blocks or bars of alternating color or often a sawtooth design. These bands of designs were sewn directly into the body of the garment, forming an integral part of it.
Patchwork was rapidly adopted as a way to further embellish the already colorful clothing. As time went on, the designs became more and more intricate as the seamstresses became more adroit at their new skill. Often, the designs used on women's skirts today are extremely complicated.
When patchwork was examined, people often exclaim over the complexity and ask, "Do the Seminole women sew each little piece together?" There's no denying that a great deal of time is required to make a patchwork garment. However, the making of patchwork is a systematic process which allows the work to proceed much faster than might be assumed.
The invention and utilization of patchwork took place at approximately the same time that many Seminoles began finding employment in tourist attractions. At these attractions, Seminole women enjoyed freedom from some of their daily tasks which were routine in their Everglades camps. They were also encouraged to be actively involved in making arts and crafts items for the tourists to see and purchase. This created a commercial market for patchwork items.
Today, Seminole women have been making their unique patchwork for over sixty years. Several generations of mothers have passed this treasured technique to their daughters. During this time, patchwork has been an important means of income, as well as a source of Tribal and creative pride. Patchwork is becoming less important as a means of income for the younger generation, but patchwork as a source of cultural pride and artistic achievement will continue for many years to come. Authentic Seminole clothing can be purchased at the Marketplace.
Patchwork was rapidly adopted as a way to further embellish the already colorful clothing. As time went on, the designs became more and more intricate as the seamstresses became more adroit at their new skill. Often, the designs used on women's skirts today are extremely complicated.
When patchwork was examined, people often exclaim over the complexity and ask, "Do the Seminole women sew each little piece together?" There's no denying that a great deal of time is required to make a patchwork garment. However, the making of patchwork is a systematic process which allows the work to proceed much faster than might be assumed.
The invention and utilization of patchwork took place at approximately the same time that many Seminoles began finding employment in tourist attractions. At these attractions, Seminole women enjoyed freedom from some of their daily tasks which were routine in their Everglades camps. They were also encouraged to be actively involved in making arts and crafts items for the tourists to see and purchase. This created a commercial market for patchwork items.
Today, Seminole women have been making their unique patchwork for over sixty years. Several generations of mothers have passed this treasured technique to their daughters. During this time, patchwork has been an important means of income, as well as a source of Tribal and creative pride. Patchwork is becoming less important as a means of income for the younger generation, but patchwork as a source of cultural pride and artistic achievement will continue for many years to come. Authentic Seminole clothing can be purchased at the Marketplace.
Seminole men wore breechcloths. Seminole women wore wraparound skirts, usually woven from palmetto. Shirts were not necessary in Seminole culture, but men and women both wore poncho-style mantles in cool weather. The Seminoles also wore moccasins on their feet. In colonial times, the Seminoles adapted European costume into their own characteristic styles, including turbans and long colorful tunics for men and full patchwork skirts for women.
HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL WEBSITES IF YOU NEED MORE INFO:http://www.bigorrin.org/seminole_kids.htm
http://www.nativetech.org/seminole/bandolier/index.php
http://creatingsomanycolors.blogspot.com/2010/03/tutorial-seminole-patchwork.html
http://www.native-languages.org/breechcloth.htm
http://www.nativetech.org/clothing/regions/region8.html
http://www.native-languages.org/beadwork.htm
http://www.eram.k12.ny.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=45474
During visits to town or in cold weather, additional items were worn. A colorful coat called a "long shirt" in the Seminole language was embellished with ruffles. Vintage photographs attest to the popularity of this garment. It appears that every adult male would have owned one; yet, in past decades, the term "medicine man's coat" has been applied to these decorative shirts. Certainly no special rank or stature was originally applied to the wearer of these once common garments.
All of the garments previously mentioned were made predominantly of cotton material obtained from trading posts. Calicos were most common, but stripes, solids and plaids were also used.
Appliqué work was a decorative technique used on garments of this period. It was sewn on garments by hand and is structurally very different from the machine-sewn patchwork invented in the 20th century. Because of the time involved in its manufacture, appliqué work was used sparingly.
Clothing made just prior to 1920 has a further characteristic: Seminole seamstresses began to sew stripes of contrasting color into the garment. By 1920, both men's and women's clothing was patterned with horizontal stripes from top to bottom.
Patchwork
Shortly before 1920, a new decorative technique was developed by Seminole women - the now famous patchwork. Early designs were blocks or bars of alternating color or often a sawtooth design. These bands of designs were sewn directly into the body of the garment, forming an integral part of it.
Patchwork was rapidly adopted as a way to further embellish the already colorful clothing. As time went on, the designs became more and more intricate as the seamstresses became more adroit at their new skill. Often, the designs used on women's skirts today are extremely complicated.
When patchwork was examined, people often exclaim over the complexity and ask, "Do the Seminole women sew each little piece together?" There's no denying that a great deal of time is required to make a patchwork garment. However, the making of patchwork is a systematic process which allows the work to proceed much faster than might be assumed.
The invention and utilization of patchwork took place at approximately the same time that many Seminoles began finding employment in tourist attractions. At these attractions, Seminole women enjoyed freedom from some of their daily tasks which were routine in their Everglades camps. They were also encouraged to be actively involved in making arts and crafts items for the tourists to see and purchase. This created a commercial market for patchwork items.
Today, Seminole women have been making their unique patchwork for over sixty years. Several generations of mothers have passed this treasured technique to their daughters. During this time, patchwork has been an important means of income, as well as a source of Tribal and creative pride. Patchwork is becoming less important as a means of income for the younger generation, but patchwork as a source of cultural pride and artistic achievement will continue for many years to come. Authentic Seminole clothing can be purchased at the Marketplace.
Patchwork was rapidly adopted as a way to further embellish the already colorful clothing. As time went on, the designs became more and more intricate as the seamstresses became more adroit at their new skill. Often, the designs used on women's skirts today are extremely complicated.
When patchwork was examined, people often exclaim over the complexity and ask, "Do the Seminole women sew each little piece together?" There's no denying that a great deal of time is required to make a patchwork garment. However, the making of patchwork is a systematic process which allows the work to proceed much faster than might be assumed.
The invention and utilization of patchwork took place at approximately the same time that many Seminoles began finding employment in tourist attractions. At these attractions, Seminole women enjoyed freedom from some of their daily tasks which were routine in their Everglades camps. They were also encouraged to be actively involved in making arts and crafts items for the tourists to see and purchase. This created a commercial market for patchwork items.
Today, Seminole women have been making their unique patchwork for over sixty years. Several generations of mothers have passed this treasured technique to their daughters. During this time, patchwork has been an important means of income, as well as a source of Tribal and creative pride. Patchwork is becoming less important as a means of income for the younger generation, but patchwork as a source of cultural pride and artistic achievement will continue for many years to come. Authentic Seminole clothing can be purchased at the Marketplace.
The woman's clothing was a full skirt that reached the floor, at the waist is an adorned area and ruffle at knee length. They wore a long sleeved blouse that has a cap attached to it. The blouse is very short and barley covered their stomach. During cool weather they wore ponchos and wear sandals called "moccasins." Moccasins were made out of tanned leather and sharpened into a sturdy slipper-shape. They completed this fine look with strings of glass necklace beads.
The men wore a simple full cut shirt. On their heads they wear a turban made from plaid wool shawls. During the cold days and winter men added another clothing. It was a colorful coat called a "long shirt." Men wore ponchos as well as the woman's. Sometimes young boys would wear a breechcloth. A breechcloth is a long rectangular piece of deerskin, cloth, or animal fur. It is worn between the legs and tucked over a belt, so that the flaps fall down in front and behind. They wore sandals too called "moccasins.
During the 1920s there was a new technique that brought much attention to the Seminoles. It is called Patchwork. Patchwork was shapes woven onto clothing's. The designs that women would make were usually blocks, bars or saw tooth. It is over sixty years now that they have been making this wonderful work of art.
Seminole Art
In the Seminole tribe it was very common for the womento wear necklaces. The necklace beads were glass, and about the size of a pea. There colors light blue, dark blue and red appear to have been there favorite color to make the beads. From the time a baby was born, a string of beads was placed around his or her neck. At age 3, the boys switched to a scarf, but girls continued to receive new bead necklaces, to add to the ones they already wore. Although each necklace was heavy, women wore more than one necklace at a time. Necklaces did not hang down. They were wrapped. The women wrapped them around and around their neck until you could not see their neck at all. All you could see were beautiful beads.
The woman's garment consisted of a very full, floor-length skirt, gathered at the waist with an adorned area and ruffle at knee length. Her long sleeved blouse has an attached cape, trimmed also with a ruffle, which came only to the shoulders. The blouse was very short, barely covering the breasts and leaving a few inches of midriff exposed between the bottom of the blouse and the top of the skirt. Old photographs usually show Seminole women with their arms crossed in front of this gap, doubtless to conform to the photographers sense of decency.
To complete the woman's outfit, she wore as many strings of glass necklace beads as she could afford. The amount of beads worn by the women was a constant source of amazement to non-Indian observers and gave rise to a popular fable which has been retold in poetry and stories. As the story goes, a Seminole baby gets the first strand of beads at birth and additional strands every year thereafter. At middle-age the sequence is reversed, until she finally goes to her grave with the first string of beads given to her at birth.
The implication of this fable is that the wearing of beads is, in general, ritualistic. It was not. The general sequence is accurate, however. The Seminole female wears beads at a very early age and added to these from time to time until a large quantity had been amassed. As the women got older, they wore fewer beads - as vanity gave way to comfort and not to prescribed ritual. The vogue of necklace beads is still present among traditionally-minded women today, although the excess of earlier times has greatly diminished.
To complete the woman's outfit, she wore as many strings of glass necklace beads as she could afford. The amount of beads worn by the women was a constant source of amazement to non-Indian observers and gave rise to a popular fable which has been retold in poetry and stories. As the story goes, a Seminole baby gets the first strand of beads at birth and additional strands every year thereafter. At middle-age the sequence is reversed, until she finally goes to her grave with the first string of beads given to her at birth.
The implication of this fable is that the wearing of beads is, in general, ritualistic. It was not. The general sequence is accurate, however. The Seminole female wears beads at a very early age and added to these from time to time until a large quantity had been amassed. As the women got older, they wore fewer beads - as vanity gave way to comfort and not to prescribed ritual. The vogue of necklace beads is still present among traditionally-minded women today, although the excess of earlier times has greatly diminished.
To complete the woman's outfit, she wore as many strings of glass necklace beads as she could afford. The amount of beads worn by the women was a constant source of amazement to non-Indian observers and gave rise to a popular fable which has been retold in poetry and stories. As the story goes, a Seminole baby gets the first strand of beads at birth and additional strands every year thereafter. At middle-age the sequence is reversed, until she finally goes to her grave with the first string of beads given to her at birth.
The implication of this fable is that the wearing of beads is, in general, ritualistic. It was not. The general sequence is accurate, however. The Seminole female wears beads at a very early age and added to these from time to time until a large quantity had been amassed. As the women got older, they wore fewer beads - as vanity gave way to comfort and not to prescribed ritual. The vogue of necklace beads is still present among traditionally-minded women today, although the excess of earlier times has greatly diminished.
The Well-Dressed Seminole Man
The Seminole man of this period wore a simple full cut shirt. A decorative area usually adorned the front placket. On his head, he wore a turban made from plaid wool shawls. These two garments, with the common addition of a (leather, woven yarn, or beaded) belt, completed the essentials of male attire.
During visits to town or in cold weather, additional items were worn. A colorful coat called a "long shirt" in the Seminole language was embellished with ruffles. Vintage photographs attest to the popularity of this garment. It appears that every adult male would have owned one; yet, in past decades, the term "medicine man's coat" has been applied to these decorative shirts. Certainly no special rank or stature was originally applied to the wearer of these once common garments.
All of the garments previously mentioned were made predominantly of cotton material obtained from trading posts. Calicos were most common, but stripes, solids and plaids were also used.
Appliqué work was a decorative technique used on garments of this period. It was sewn on garments by hand and is structurally very different from the machine-sewn patchwork invented in the 20th century. Because of the time involved in its manufacture, appliqué work was used sparingly.
Clothing made just prior to 1920 has a further characteristic: Seminole seamstresses began to sew stripes of contrasting color into the garment. By 1920, both men's and women's clothing was patterned with horizontal stripes from top to bottom.
Patchwork
Shortly before 1920, a new decorative technique was developed by Seminole women - the now famous patchwork. Early designs were blocks or bars of alternating color or often a sawtooth design. These bands of designs were sewn directly into the body of the garment, forming an integral part of it.
Patchwork was rapidly adopted as a way to further embellish the already colorful clothing. As time went on, the designs became more and more intricate as the seamstresses became more adroit at their new skill. Often, the designs used on women's skirts today are extremely complicated.
When patchwork was examined, people often exclaim over the complexity and ask, "Do the Seminole women sew each little piece together?" There's no denying that a great deal of time is required to make a patchwork garment. However, the making of patchwork is a systematic process which allows the work to proceed much faster than might be assumed.
The invention and utilization of patchwork took place at approximately the same time that many Seminoles began finding employment in tourist attractions. At these attractions, Seminole women enjoyed freedom from some of their daily tasks which were routine in their Everglades camps. They were also encouraged to be actively involved in making arts and crafts items for the tourists to see and purchase. This created a commercial market for patchwork items.
Today, Seminole women have been making their unique patchwork for over sixty years. Several generations of mothers have passed this treasured technique to their daughters. During this time, patchwork has been an important means of income, as well as a source of Tribal and creative pride. Patchwork is becoming less important as a means of income for the younger generation, but patchwork as a source of cultural pride and artistic achievement will continue for many years to come. Authentic Seminole clothing can be purchased at the Marketplace.
Patchwork was rapidly adopted as a way to further embellish the already colorful clothing. As time went on, the designs became more and more intricate as the seamstresses became more adroit at their new skill. Often, the designs used on women's skirts today are extremely complicated.
When patchwork was examined, people often exclaim over the complexity and ask, "Do the Seminole women sew each little piece together?" There's no denying that a great deal of time is required to make a patchwork garment. However, the making of patchwork is a systematic process which allows the work to proceed much faster than might be assumed.
The invention and utilization of patchwork took place at approximately the same time that many Seminoles began finding employment in tourist attractions. At these attractions, Seminole women enjoyed freedom from some of their daily tasks which were routine in their Everglades camps. They were also encouraged to be actively involved in making arts and crafts items for the tourists to see and purchase. This created a commercial market for patchwork items.
Today, Seminole women have been making their unique patchwork for over sixty years. Several generations of mothers have passed this treasured technique to their daughters. During this time, patchwork has been an important means of income, as well as a source of Tribal and creative pride. Patchwork is becoming less important as a means of income for the younger generation, but patchwork as a source of cultural pride and artistic achievement will continue for many years to come. Authentic Seminole clothing can be purchased at the Marketplace.
Seminole men wore breechcloths. Seminole women wore wraparound skirts, usually woven from palmetto. Shirts were not necessary in Seminole culture, but men and women both wore poncho-style mantles in cool weather. The Seminoles also wore moccasins on their feet. In colonial times, the Seminoles adapted European costume into their own characteristic styles, including turbans and long colorful tunics for men and full patchwork skirts for women.
HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL WEBSITES IF YOU NEED MORE INFO:http://www.bigorrin.org/seminole_kids.htm
http://www.nativetech.org/seminole/bandolier/index.php
http://creatingsomanycolors.blogspot.com/2010/03/tutorial-seminole-patchwork.html
http://www.native-languages.org/breechcloth.htm
http://www.nativetech.org/clothing/regions/region8.html
http://www.native-languages.org/beadwork.htm
http://www.eram.k12.ny.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=45474
During visits to town or in cold weather, additional items were worn. A colorful coat called a "long shirt" in the Seminole language was embellished with ruffles. Vintage photographs attest to the popularity of this garment. It appears that every adult male would have owned one; yet, in past decades, the term "medicine man's coat" has been applied to these decorative shirts. Certainly no special rank or stature was originally applied to the wearer of these once common garments.
All of the garments previously mentioned were made predominantly of cotton material obtained from trading posts. Calicos were most common, but stripes, solids and plaids were also used.
Appliqué work was a decorative technique used on garments of this period. It was sewn on garments by hand and is structurally very different from the machine-sewn patchwork invented in the 20th century. Because of the time involved in its manufacture, appliqué work was used sparingly.
Clothing made just prior to 1920 has a further characteristic: Seminole seamstresses began to sew stripes of contrasting color into the garment. By 1920, both men's and women's clothing was patterned with horizontal stripes from top to bottom.
Patchwork
Shortly before 1920, a new decorative technique was developed by Seminole women - the now famous patchwork. Early designs were blocks or bars of alternating color or often a sawtooth design. These bands of designs were sewn directly into the body of the garment, forming an integral part of it.
Patchwork was rapidly adopted as a way to further embellish the already colorful clothing. As time went on, the designs became more and more intricate as the seamstresses became more adroit at their new skill. Often, the designs used on women's skirts today are extremely complicated.
When patchwork was examined, people often exclaim over the complexity and ask, "Do the Seminole women sew each little piece together?" There's no denying that a great deal of time is required to make a patchwork garment. However, the making of patchwork is a systematic process which allows the work to proceed much faster than might be assumed.
The invention and utilization of patchwork took place at approximately the same time that many Seminoles began finding employment in tourist attractions. At these attractions, Seminole women enjoyed freedom from some of their daily tasks which were routine in their Everglades camps. They were also encouraged to be actively involved in making arts and crafts items for the tourists to see and purchase. This created a commercial market for patchwork items.
Today, Seminole women have been making their unique patchwork for over sixty years. Several generations of mothers have passed this treasured technique to their daughters. During this time, patchwork has been an important means of income, as well as a source of Tribal and creative pride. Patchwork is becoming less important as a means of income for the younger generation, but patchwork as a source of cultural pride and artistic achievement will continue for many years to come. Authentic Seminole clothing can be purchased at the Marketplace.
Patchwork was rapidly adopted as a way to further embellish the already colorful clothing. As time went on, the designs became more and more intricate as the seamstresses became more adroit at their new skill. Often, the designs used on women's skirts today are extremely complicated.
When patchwork was examined, people often exclaim over the complexity and ask, "Do the Seminole women sew each little piece together?" There's no denying that a great deal of time is required to make a patchwork garment. However, the making of patchwork is a systematic process which allows the work to proceed much faster than might be assumed.
The invention and utilization of patchwork took place at approximately the same time that many Seminoles began finding employment in tourist attractions. At these attractions, Seminole women enjoyed freedom from some of their daily tasks which were routine in their Everglades camps. They were also encouraged to be actively involved in making arts and crafts items for the tourists to see and purchase. This created a commercial market for patchwork items.
Today, Seminole women have been making their unique patchwork for over sixty years. Several generations of mothers have passed this treasured technique to their daughters. During this time, patchwork has been an important means of income, as well as a source of Tribal and creative pride. Patchwork is becoming less important as a means of income for the younger generation, but patchwork as a source of cultural pride and artistic achievement will continue for many years to come. Authentic Seminole clothing can be purchased at the Marketplace.
Patchwork was rapidly adopted as a way to further embellish the already colorful clothing. As time went on, the designs became more and more intricate as the seamstresses became more adroit at their new skill. Often, the designs used on women's skirts today are extremely complicated.
When patchwork was examined, people often exclaim over the complexity and ask, "Do the Seminole women sew each little piece together?" There's no denying that a great deal of time is required to make a patchwork garment. However, the making of patchwork is a systematic process which allows the work to proceed much faster than might be assumed.
The invention and utilization of patchwork took place at approximately the same time that many Seminoles began finding employment in tourist attractions. At these attractions, Seminole women enjoyed freedom from some of their daily tasks which were routine in their Everglades camps. They were also encouraged to be actively involved in making arts and crafts items for the tourists to see and purchase. This created a commercial market for patchwork items.
Today, Seminole women have been making their unique patchwork for over sixty years. Several generations of mothers have passed this treasured technique to their daughters. During this time, patchwork has been an important means of income, as well as a source of Tribal and creative pride. Patchwork is becoming less important as a means of income for the younger generation, but patchwork as a source of cultural pride and artistic achievement will continue for many years to come. Authentic Seminole clothing can be purchased at the Marketplace.
Seminole men wore breechcloths. Seminole women wore wraparound skirts, usually woven from palmetto. Shirts were not necessary in Seminole culture, but men and women both wore poncho-style mantles in cool weather. The Seminoles also wore moccasins on their feet. In colonial times, the Seminoles adapted European costume into their own characteristic styles, including turbans and long colorful tunics for men and full patchwork skirts for women.
HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL WEBSITES IF YOU NEED MORE INFO:http://www.bigorrin.org/seminole_kids.htm
http://www.nativetech.org/seminole/bandolier/index.php
http://creatingsomanycolors.blogspot.com/2010/03/tutorial-seminole-patchwork.html
http://www.native-languages.org/breechcloth.htm
http://www.nativetech.org/clothing/regions/region8.html
http://www.native-languages.org/beadwork.htm
http://www.eram.k12.ny.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=45474
