Families of Color, Part 2, Native American

I am working on a Native American family as the first set of miniature dolls in the series: Families of Color.  In my first post on this project I had finished painting skin color on the peg dolls and now I am experimenting with clothing.  I purchased some scrap leather from Joann Fabrics.  It was very reasonable.

It comes in 3-4 colors.  I also looked at the suede but it was fake and felt icky.

I covered the body with a rectangle of white and brown.

Next I cut a fringed rectangle and experimented with how it would look as a skirt or cape.  I also held up some strung beads that I had.  These were from broken necklaces belonging to my daughter that I saved.

How long do you keep things like this?  Years ago (she is now 23) I thought to repair them but of course never did.  Now I think I can up cycle them for these dolls and that is pretty cool.

I have done some research at the library and online regarding authentic clothing for these dolls.  There are 100's of tribes in North America, each with its own unique style.  We tend to think of the garments of the plains Native Americans when we think of "Indians".  I do not intend to make historically accurate clothing for a specific tribe.  I only want to offer a family that provides a recognition of a cultural heritage.

Stay tuned for more.  Perhaps they will be finished next time.

This post is linked up to Magic Onions and Natural Suburbia and The Handmade Homemaker  and all-spunk-no-junk-link-up.