12 Hour Classes
INSTRUCTOR: Bonni Backe, Fellow
COURSE: Lacing Techniques
PROJECT: Traditional Maine Snowshoes
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Maine was the center of snowshoe production from the 1850s to the 1940s and Maine Indian snowshoes were renowned for their superb craftsmanship and durability. Snowshoes were made not only by Maine Indians, but also by non-natives, who borrowed traditional Native American designs and construction techniques. Students will create the bent ash frames in the Maine snowshoe style, using a jig and the glulam technique. Holes for the toe and heel sections will be carefully drilled with a pin vise. Weaving is done with a material that closely simulates the original caribou rawhide. Students will learn the unusual triangular lacing pattern that seems to be unique to the snowshoe. The bindings will be made of fine leather; buckles will be provided.
TIME:
12 hours. Completion of one snowshoe is likely.
POWER TOOLS:
none
SKILL LEVEL:
Beginner. Good eyesight and magnification are recommended for the fine-weave toe and heel sections; though an alternate rustic lacing method may be chosen for easier lacing.
MATERIALS FEE:
$35 to be collected at school