Star Quilts A History of the Plains Indians Quilting Traditions

Plains Indians Reside in the Northwestern United States Montana tribes Assiniboine Sioux Gros Ventre Chippewa- Cree Blackfeet Kootenai Salish Pend d’Oreille Crow Northern Cheyenne

Early 1800’s Plains Indians relied on the buffalo for survival Food, clothing, and shelter Led a nomadic lifestyle Had to follow the buffalo herds Painted geometrical designs and symbols on buffalo hides Hides were used for bedding, teepees, and clothing

Late 1800’s Buffalo became extinct Hides were no longer available Plains Indians turned to missionaries, fur traders, and explorers to obtain supplies Missionaries taught Indian women how to make quilts

The Beginnings of the Star Quilt Why did Indian women need to learn how to quilt? To make bedding, since buffalo hides were no longer available Began incorporating the symbols seen in the past on buffalo hides into quilting designs

Morning Star Became the dominant quilt design for Plains Indians Represents a new day and new beginnings

The Star Quilt The morning star design is now known as the Star Quilt Made up of MANY small diamonds

Star Quilt Construction

The Number 4 A sacred number that represents The directions of the four winds The four powers of the universe The four seasons Shown in the morning star design The four directions that the star points It is common for 4 colors to be used in star quilts

Making Quilting Their Own Plains Indians have made quilting their own cultural art form Star quilts have become a very important part of their culture The star quilt is the modern equivalent to painted buffalo hides

Giveaway Ceremonies Giveaway ceremonies are seen as hospitality Indian style Star quilts are given away at many different events Memorial services Graduations Weddings Funerals Births Powwows Basketball games Naming Ceremonies

Symbolic Meaning of Giveaways Quilter is spreading love and friendship Quilter is giving part of themselves to another person Honors the recipient and the quilter Recipients experience joy from this gift

What do Star Quilts teach us about Native Americans? History Survival Had to find something to replace buffalo hides Necessity Had to have bedding to keep warm Culture Morning star symbolism The sacred number 4 Giveaways