Seminole Patchwork Projects

Quite a while ago I did a post with photos of my projects of Seminole Patchwork.   I've been asked why I no longer do this craft and to provide links to instructions on how to make it.    I'll tell you why I no longer make the patchwork, but, search engines work just the same for you as they do for me and you can find your own links if you're interested.

After participating in art shows for several years, I just became burned out.  I made approximately 3000 of the handbags in the photo plus dozens of vests, full length skirts and other patchwork embellished items..  Whenever I was preparing for a show, I would make strips of patchwork 10 - 12 yards long in each pattern.  Then I'd make the item it would be sewed onto. 

My plan, back in the 90's was to continue to do the patchwork projects and travel the US doing shows.  I'd built up my reputation by participating in shows in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri and Texas and had been invited to exhibit in shows across the US. This seemed like a good way to travel and a fun thing to do after DH and I retired.

But, plans do change.  And I realized that I'd be working like a dog 3-4 months of the year while at home to get ready for the shows on the road.  DH worked overseas for eight years and when he retired, he really wanted to be at home rather than still living out of a suitcase.  So, I made the decision to stop making the patchwork.

Seminole Patchwork is a labor of love.  It's not expensive to make, but it's extremely labor intensive.  If you go online and do a little research, you'll find quite a bit if information on how the construction is done and beautiful examples of truly intricate designs.

I still have all my patterns, tons of fabric, and the ability to do the patchwork.  But, for now, my interests lie elsewhere.  

A comment about appearances

 Today I received a comment regarding a post I made on my blog May 13, 2011.  The post included several photos of items I'd made with Seminole patchwork on them.  Here's the comment, and my response.

 

Anonymous said...

nice work, but you do not look Seminole to me and there is a law against you making money on our culture and traditions...did any of that money go to help my people? Didn't think so.

August 15, 2011 9:53 AM

Linda said...

Yes, Ms. or Mr. Anonymous, I do not look like a Seminole. I am a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and taught myself how to make the patchwork. I've received high commendations from even the Chief of the Florida Seminole tribe for my work. And I spent a good number of years participating in Native American art shows, pow wows and festivals in order to help promote the craft. I'd love to know where you got the idea that there's some sort of law restricting the making and selling of the patchwork. Please feel free to post the information here and I'll certainly look at it.

August 15, 2011 12:35 PM

 The comment left by "Anonymous" isn't the first time that I've been told "you don't look Indian" or "you don't look Seminole". 

 

I also don't look like a wife, mother, accountant, small business owner or a Democrat, but I'm all of those things too.

 

The assumption made my "Anonymous" was that I had, as a non-Indian, cashed in on a part of Indian culture. My fair skin lead to this assumption, I'm sure.

Well, Ms. or Mr. Anonymous, let me tell you MY TWO CENT'S worth..........I made patchwork items and sold them at Native American festivals, pow wows, rodeos, and art shows for several years.  

 

I can't tell you how many elders came into my booth and complimented me on my work.  We usually had long conversations about how the younger tribal members have no interest in learning this craft and it's dying out.

 

I received a commendation from the Chief of the Chickasaw Nation thanking me for my promoting and perpetuating a Native American craft.

The Chief of the Seminole Nation of Florida visited with me at the Red Earth Festival in Oklahoma City and purchased some of my items for his own use.  The reason?  Because authentic patchwork, made by a tribal member, is so difficult to find in Florida.

Prejudice and assumptions lead to misunderstandings.  Before rushing to a conclusion, get the facts.

 

Seminole Patchwork Projects

Long before I became involved with paper crafting, I was a patchworker.  I began with a simple strip of Seminole Patchwork and wound up traveling far and wide doing Native American festivals and art shows with my items.

These are photos of some of the things I made.  The purses were my main item.  I believe when I stopped participating in the festivals I had made and sold around 3,000 of them.  At that time I had an entire assembly line set up in our den.  All the patchwork and the purses were made by me with the exception of the straps.  Fred wound up learning to use the sewing machine to make some of those when I got a huge order to export to a department store in Germany.