Thought I would share pictures of a dress I finished for a friend last night.

The dress is made to represent a Northern Plains trade cloth dress from the late 1830's/early 1840's. It is made from navy blue wool broadcloth. The wool was purchased from William Draper Booth. It was woven in England to specific standards and has the same appearance, drape, weave, milling, and finish as broadcloth made in the early 19th century. The yoke is made from a lighter weight red broadcloth and is trimmed in white size 8/0 beads. The neck opening is trimmed in brain tanned deer hide. The sleeves and bottom are trimmed with white silk ribbon.

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A simple belt to go with the dress. It is made from brain tanned deer hide.

A pair of brain tanned leggings. They are simple tubes that tie below the knee.

A pair of side seam moccasins with liners.

A wool blanket or buffalo robe was the traditional cold weather clothing for women.

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Very nice work, thanks for posting, very nice. Mark

That is a great looking wardrobe for the Lady.

Where could a person get the pattern for that style of moccasins. I have been thinking about making a pair, but have not seen one in that style.

Keep your powder dry.
LeeRoy

LeeRoy,

I made the pattern myself. They are very easy to make. Here is a link to a website with directions:

http://womenofthefurtrade.com/page11.html

I also recommend the book: Craft Manual of North American Indian Footwear by George White. It also has directions for making side seam moccasins.

Thanks!

Beaver Hunter

Thanks for the fast reply.

I will save that link for when I start to make my moccasins.

If anyone else has a pattern for high top moccasins I would enjoy seeing them.

Keep your powder dry.
LeeRoy

Very nice! I'm ordering wool from Draper later today. I'm friends with one of the ladies from WFT.

Pare-

Nice work Beaver Hunter, thank you for sharing the pictures.

BC

very nice work

Very nice. You got some skill there. Thanks for the link on side seams. I'm wearing a pair of center seams which weren't documented in the far west.

Idaho Mountaineer, The Delaware wear center seamed moccasins. They, along with a couple other tribes, were taking frequent trips to Colorado and Santa Fe. Not sure if any trappers were wearing them though.

Pare-

What Pare said and the Delaware aren't the only ones - lots of Iroqouis and Shawneee out west durint eh RMFT era.
As for a pic of a Delaware mountaineer wearing center seams look up a pic of Black Beaver who scouted for Fremont as well.

Thanks everyone for the nice compliments. Just finished the toe bag to go along with the outfit.

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I know nothing about such things, but can recognize skill when I see it that's some nice looking work there.

Can you elaborate on the "Toe Bag"...what it's used for and specifically, what was used for the "toes" ?

The bag is made from the back of a deer's lower leg/foot. The foot is skinned out and the dew claws are left intact. Two deer feet are sewn together to make the front of the bag.

The bag will be used to carry fire fixing or other small tools.

Dew claws are exactly what came to mind but didn't know if it might have been something artificial...neat looking bag for sure...excellent craftsmanship !!

Yep, very nice! You really have a handle on things, Beaver Hunter. I'm very impressed. I would say that's worthy of a museum exhibit. I seen a bag just the other day made from an albino deer with pink-looking hooves and claws. Pretty interesting.

Pare-