Needlework Very early in their history, the Métis became known as
‘The Beadwork People’ because of the amount of decorative beadwork they
wore. They decorated their straps, their bags, their jackets, their
moccasins, their leggings, the bridle, saddle, and saddlebags of their
horses. One element that is frequently mentioned is recurring floral
motifs. There is some thought that these stylized blossoms originate in
Quebec and were taught by the Grey Nuns. This would explain how wide
spread is the design. It is found from the North West Territories to the
Great Lakes.
The Aboriginals used porcupine quills, dyed with vegetable dyes, or
left natural, to decorate their moccasins and bags. Some Métis handwork
is done with quills. Certain designs are better in quillwork, those with
straight lines in the design, particularly. When beads became widely
available through the fur trade, Aboriginals used these in place of
hand-made beads. Métis women of course always had access to beads, and
beadwork done on leather worked particularly well. When the Métis began
to use more fabrics, and lighter fabrics, they also had access to silk
embroidery thread, and transferred some of their designs to ones that
could be embroidered. This transition might have been influenced by the
fresh flood of European influence in the mission schools.
The Métis society used the same type of beadwork to add decoration to
their homes. They made items such as wall pockets, both as useful places
to help organize the household and as a spot of bright colour to enrich
the spirit of the home. They also decorated wall hangings, containers,
cushions, etc. These items added some
gaiety to the wood walls and floor.
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