The 3D ExperienceNative American Inspired Baskets

Basket weaving is one of the oldest known Native

American CRAFTS.

There are ancient baskets from the Southwest that have been found by

Archeologists dating them to nearly 8000 years old.

Baskets were a big part of life in tribes.All Native Americans wove baskets out of natural materials available to them.

Part of a woman’s job was to never let her family run out of colorful baskets!

Baskets were used for:

Storing belongings on open shelvesHauling and storing foodTrade

Most of the symbolism in Native American art was REALISTIC and not

geometric.Their symbols were not

religious nor did the symbols stand for good luck.

Tribal women gave names to

their PATTERNS

Women tried to outdo their

neighbors with their patterns and

colors.Every woman

within the tribe had her own

unique designs.

…the tree pattern…the mountaln pattern…the leaf pattern

Others could not copy from

her…but she

could give a design as a gift to a

good friend or to her children!

Basket making material was collected all

SUMMER long.Roots and

twigs had to be soaked just right. Grass was used like Embroidery

thread.

WinterBaskets were usually made in the Winter months after all materials had been harvested.

SymbolsThink of symbols that have meaning to you. On the bottom of the front of your Rubric, draw 3 different symbols.

HomeworkSketch a color design of your basket on the back of your Rubric. Include your chosen symbol in the final design.Keep your design simple because the process of weaving will cover random areas of your design, out of your control!Consider putting the symbol on the inside bottom of your basket, where it will not be covered.