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Finger
weaving (fingerweaving or finger-weaving) is an old traditional off-loom
weaving of French Canadian, Native American, and Scandinavian heritage.
One of the "forgotten arts", it is often known in the Midwest
as the source of the colorful sashes worn by the voyageurs of the fur
trade era. Because of that history, fingerwoven sashes are also known as
ceinture flechee or arrow sash, or L'Assomption sash because of the
great number of sashes made in that area of Canada for the fur trade
companies. In the Scandinavian tradition it is often referred to as
braiding.
Though
naturally appropriate for Native American ceremonies, dance, and events;
and fur trade era reenactments and rendezvous', many of the items are
equally at home for current day wear. Sashes can be worn with dresses or
coats, straps are equally at ease holding powder horns or guitars, and
garters double as hat bands or straps for varied uses. Fingerweaving is
also an old Scandinavian tradition so is appropriate for many of the
traditional costumes of those countries. Some form of off-loom or
hand/finger weaving is native to many cultures and the Chevron
"V" design is quite universal.
My
finger-woven items are all hand made with 100% wool, of a tight 2 or 3
ply yarn to produce a sturdy item. Most are woven in the traditional
single or double Chevron design using mainly commercially dyed yarn,
though I also weave with natural yarns, hand dyed using local and native
dyes and mordants. These have a particularly connected, naturally
beautiful and comfortable look to them in mellow shades of browns,
grays, greens and khakis, pinks and naturals.
Some of
the sashes, drops, and garters divide into smaller bands in
addition to the braided fringe. We have found a single or double wrap of
2"-3" wide sash is more comfortable and easier to tie than a
single wrap of 5" or 6" wide. When figuring the length you need for a
sash, measure around your waist over the clothes you'll be wearing
(twice if you want a double wrap), plus the length down your leg times
two, then add 5" for a half knot, 10" for full knot. The same
goes for garters, straps, and narrower belts, except figure about
3" for a half (or fold over) knot, 6" for full knot.
There are
some fingerwoven items in stock that can be shipped immediately.
See the various pages for listing and prices. Garters can be made to go
with the sashes in inventory. See the How to
Order page for ordering and shipping information. Please note that the color
reproduction of an item on the computer screen is sometimes not that
great, and not necessarily true to the colors of the items. If you wish
to see the colors before purchase, I can send you yarn samples. All
orders are 100% guaranteed. If you are not satisfied with any item when
you receive it, you may return it for a full refund.
Due to
other commitments and activities, I'm not taking any orders for custom
work at this time.
If you
have any questions, feel free to contact me
by telephone at 1-906-644-2598 [eastern time]
by email -- sue@manytracks.com
or regular mail -- Sue Robishaw, 770N Fox Rd, Cooks MI 49817
A wonderful book on the finger woven sashes of the fur trade era is
"Assomption Sash" by Marcius Barbeau, National Museum of
Canada. Unfortunately it is out of print, but you may find it in a
library or historical museum, or in a bookstore dealing in used and
antiquarian books.
When
searching for information on sashes, look also under words such as
voyageur, Indian weaving, Scandinavian braiding, Indian braiding,
Ceinture flechee or centure flech,, L'Assomption or Assomption, in
addition to the various forms of the word finger weaving (finger-weaving
or fingerweaving).
Fingerweaving is a
wonderful and fascinating art, and one that is worth keeping alive. |
