Patterning

maskisina: A Guide to Northern-Style Métis Moccasins is a follow-up to the highly successful wapikwaniy: A Beginner’s Guide to Métis Floral Beadwork. Much like wapikwaniy, maskisina guides readers, step-by-step, on how to create their very own moccasins. It contains detailed photographs along with each step. It also includes a historic overview of moccasins by Sherry Farrell Racette. Patterns for cutting the correct sizes for the soles and vamps are included in the book.

Educator Information
Grade Level: Secondary/Post Secondary/Adult

This publication is a welcome addition to the literature on the ancient craft of fingerweaving. Carol James, an accomplished Winnipeg weaver and teacher, has dedicated over 20 years to the art. Her knowledge and sash reproductions are based on the detailed study of historical artifacts and are housed in various heritage institutions such as the Manitoba Museum and the Musee de Saint-Boniface.

Fingerweaving has been practiced by Native Americans for centuries. It requires no sophisticated loom, only the nimble hands of the weaver. Each technique is presented in detail. The instructions are simple and clearly written, and each step is illustrated with color drawings that make the different threads easy to identify. Includes a color photo of each finished weaving. The approach used here makes this craft much more accessible to amateurs who may have wanted to try it but may have been turned off by the complexity of other books on the subject. Several variations are given for chevron stitch, lightning pattern, arrowhead pattern, bead accents, and fringe.