Our last Family Day, in November, celebrated Native American Heritage Month and highlighted the work of Indigenous artists in our collection.
Basket weaving is a traditional Native American art form. Cherokee people use natural materials, such as grass or wood, to weave baskets. Traditionally, Cherokee women wove these baskets to hold food like rice and corn. They also used baskets to rock babies to sleep, catch fish and carry water.
Do you have any baskets in your home? What does your family like to keep in them?
Cherokee artists create patterns that tell stories about their lives and the world around them. What do you think inspired each pattern? Try matching the designs to these names: Eye of the Sacred Bird, Arrowpoint/Fishbone and Chief’s Heart. Find the answers below.
Now it’s your turn to practice the art of weaving.
You will need the following supplies:
- different colored construction paper
- scissors
- glue (optional)
[Image: project example]
Quick Tip: Baskets are woven using over-and-under patterns to make strong designs.
Directions:
- Choose one sheet of paper for your loom (the base).
- Fold it in half and cut even strips from the folded edge. Stop before you reach the top so that the paper stays in one piece.
- Unfold your loom and lay it flat.
- Cut other colored paper into long strips for weaving.
- Start weaving one strip over, under, over and under through the slits.
- For the next strip, start the opposite way (under, over, under, over).
- Alternate colors and directions until your loom is full.
- Trim or glue the edges to hold the strips in place.
Our next Family Day is Saturday, December 6. Come have fun with us!
- Eye of the Sacred Bird 2. Chief’s Heart 3. Arrowpoint/Fishbone