Sew a native ribbon skirt for your doll...

Our dolls model their ribbon skirts.

       Ribbon work is an applique technique for clothing and dance regalia among Prairie and Great Lakes Native American tribes. The ribbons are layered on top of each other with pieces cut out to create optically active designs from both positive and negative space. The ribbons' edges are sewn with needles and cotton thread, later, with nylon thread. Designs and colors may be significant to particular clans within the tribes. Specific patterns are passed from mother to daughters within families. Design elements can include floral designs, diamonds, stepped diamonds, crescents, hearts, circles, and double-curves.
       Silk ribbons, brought to North America by European traders, inspired a new, uniquely Native American art form. Mi'kmaq people created ribbon applique as early as 1611. In 1789 the regime of the French Revolution decreed that clothing should be plain, so silk ribbons fell out of fashion in France and were exported to North America. Those tribes who traded furs with the French are most known for their ribbon work, such as the Kickapoo, Mesquakie, Miami, Odawa, Ojibwa, Osage, Otoe-Missouria, Potawatomi, and Quapaw, but the practice has spread to many other tribes. Initially, layers of ribbons were sewn on the edges of cloth, replacing painted lines on hide clothing and blankets. By the close of the 18th century, Native seamstresses created much more intricate applique ribbon work designs.

Our doll, Rose, wears a modern version of a ribbon skirt. Ribbon skirts are gathered at the waist 
and trimmed at the bottom. The colors in her skirt remind us of the sunrise.

 

Make a ribbon skirt to match your doll's:

• Making a ribbon skirt with Tala Tootoosis
• Ribbon Skirt Tutorial by Emily Taylor
• The ribbon skirt that made political history
• How to make a simple ribbon skirt by DaVonna Bowker
• Ribbon Skirt Applique Tutorial with Billie Jo Kruger
• Making Regalia The Lost Episode: Applique Tie
• Heat & Bond Floral Applique
• The Deto and Kiihibaa show presents: Ribbon Skirts

        Today ribbon work can be seen on dance regalia at tribal ceremonies and powwows. Ribbon work is applied to both men's and women's clothing and is incorporated into leggings, skirts, blankets, shawls, breechclouts, purses, shirts, vests, pillows, and other cloth items.  

Our Josefina doll wear a ribbon skirt with colors of the sunset. Left, up-close look at the ribbon
designs and textures. Right, Josefina sitting among the wild strawberry.