YesterWays is a free hands-on drop-in activity that focuses on a skill or craft from times past, inspired by our Monroe county history. It's held at the County Museum (126 South Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48161) from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. A different activity is offered each month, and participants can expect one-on-one instruction from museum staff in a fun, beginner-friendly make-and-take project.
Our November YesterWays is dedicated to fingerweaving!
Fingerweaving is a technique of making cloth from yarn using no loom, that is particularly well suited to decorative and utilitarian straps and sashes. When yarn of sheep’s wool and glass beads were introduced to North America by European traders, a diffusion of fingerweaving occurred amongst the Europeans and Native Americans, who both created sashes and straps of beautiful patterns and colors.
By the early 1800s, colorful and uniquely-patterned fingerwoven sashes and related items had become popular adornments and trade goods, centered around the French presence in modern-day Canada, flourishing wherever trade networks spread throughout North America.
Though fingerweaving had been known for centuries in some parts of Europe and the Americas by the time of the French presence on the continent, the sashes and straps of the fur trade era are especially unique and exceedingly refined examples of textile art that are tied closely to Native American and French cultural identities today.
This forgotten art is very easy to learn! Drop in for an introduction to fingerweaving by learning to make a simple friendship bracelet.
YesterWays is free of charge, generally suitable for ages 8 to 80 (and up!), and there’s no appointment necessary.
Image Credit: National Museum of Canada.
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