Seminole Patchwork :: Essays Papers

Seminole Patchwork Cross or sacred fire, arrow, crank up, bird, wave, mountains and diamondback rattlesnake all have well-nighthing in common. What do all of these names have in common? They are all names of Seminole patchwork designs. What exactly is patchworking? It can be defined as the process of sewing pieces of solid colored c hand outh together to make long rows of designs, which are then joined horizontally to former(a) bands of cloth to form a garment (Downs, 1995, 88). This Native American graphics is closely associated with the Florida Seminoles. The history of this tribe and how they came to make patchwork garments is rather interesting. In making patchwork garments, things to be considered include how it is done (process), what elements of design are used, whom the garment is to be made for and who actually makes it. Presently, there are less(prenominal) artists in this craft and the future of patchwork may be at risk. Seminole patchwork has been do ne for over a century, and its beauty and uniqueness needs to be revealed and recognized by Americans. The Seminole Indians were not always determined in Florida. In the early 19th Century the Seminoles lived in the cool it areas of Georgia. They wore animals hides and furs to keep warm. This all changed in 1830, when President Andrew Jackson passed the Indian removal Policy of 1830, which strained the Seminoles to flee to Florida. In fleeing to Florida they left behind their homes, some relatives who refused to leave and their cool climate. In Florida, there was no longer a need for the warm furs and hides and they turned to the use of cloth. In 1840, they disappeared into the Everglades and lived there in peace, with no influences from other tribes. The Everglades were rich with exotic items that were worth a lot in trade markets. Once a year, the Seminoles would take a transit on the Miami River to Miami. In Miami they could trade items such as alligator hides and eg ret plumes for rolls of like cloth. The Seminoles would use the cotton to make various pieces of clothing. One year, a pilgrimage could not be made to Miami to attain more cloth and the Seminoles were forced to use scraps of cloth, sewing them together to make a turgid piece of cloth or garment.