Indian Clothing of the Great Lakes, 1740-1840 Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are looking for new design ideas or if you have ever been curious about what the First Americans might have worn a couple of hundred years ago, this book offers a wealth of information.
Here you can find detailed drawings of blouses, skirts, men's shirts and leggings, moccasins and head coverings. Although the book doesn't include patterns per se, the written instructions appear to be detailed enough for most readers with some sewing experience to follow. (As a very amateur seamstress, I have to admit I would have liked more detailed explanations, espeically for the finger weaving section).
Since this book includes clothing of all the Great Lakes tribes, you can see the variations in design and construction between the peoples of that area. However, as Hartman points out, it is almost impossible to identify clothing as belonging to a specific tribe. Contact among these people offered the opportunity for trade as well as imitation of dress styles. Looking at the many drawings, you can see the influence that the French and other Europeans had on clothing and jewelry design.
However, this is more than just a sewing or design book. In addition to the pictures and how-to sections, Hartman also includes quite a bit of historical and cultural information. She briefly mentions the role of trade silver used for decoration. (If this is a subject that interests you, you may want to look at "The Covenant Chain, Indian Ceremonial and Trade Silver," by N. Jaye Fredrickson.)

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Back In Print and Better Than Ever with this New Expanded Edition!Sheryl Hartman has added a fascinating new section to the Introduction of her book which details the various elements of Woodland Indian designs, describing what they symbolize and how they reflect the views, beliefs and culture of the native peoples of the Great Lakes region.This section is lavishly illustrated and discusses Thunderbirds and Underwater Panthers on Medicine Bags or Bundles; Thunderbird Power Lines and Opposing Double Hooks; Underwater Panther Power Lines; Medicine Bags with Abstract Geometric Designs and the Sun Motif; Pouches exhibiting Abstract Symbolic Representations; the Equal-Armed Cross; Midewiwin Designs; design elements in Headdress construction; Floral Patterns; use of Contrasting Patterns indress; the use of Ornaments; and a discussion of the reasons for the inability to assign tribal affiliation to certain designs or particular pieces of art.In addition, there is a new author's postscript on stereotypical images of Native Americans - how they came to be, why they are usually inaccurate, how this is starting to change and why it is important for these stereotypes to be replaced by accurate information.Add an exciting new cover with stunning artwork by Patty Cooper-Fields to the classic text and numerous patterns for Women's and Men's Clothing from the Great Lakes region during this period and you have a sure winner!