Twined Bags

Twined Bags
In the old days, people needed containers to hold everything. Twined bags were made in every size to accommodate holding everything from food to sewing supplies to fire making kits. Although the vast majority of bags have been lost, there are some examples of twined bags preserved in museums.

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Flat Twined Bag

5 color twined bag, tell the history of how the Canadian/English and American governments have tried to for centuries to divide Native people and how we stand united to be "Idle No More." It also shows how, we as Native People, are forced to walk in two worlds. The Traditional world of our ancestors and the modern world.

Twined Milkweed Bag

Each step in making this bag was documented, as a part of the Abenaki Ethnobotany project. The walls are open twined and the base is closed twined. It was made from about 300 plants. This bag will be a part of the Wobanakik Heritage Center Collection.

Approximately 6" x 7""

Twined Food Storage Bag

Twined round bags like these were made in various sizes. Historically speaking these are refered to by the Lewis and Clark expedition. They are sometimes refered to as "Sally Bags." Smaller ones could hold enough corn meal rations for a few days and be kept tied at your side. Currently on exhibit at The Institute for American Indian Studies. Previously exhibited at the Boston Children's Museum.

Made from Natural polished and unpolished hemp.

Twined Bag

Round bottomed twined bag with geometric pattern. The perfect size to hold your eye glasses.

Made from natural and black hemp.

2 1/2" wide x 6" tall.

Medium Twined Bags, Twined Shot Bags and Twined Shoulder Bags *

Open twined bag with braided strap. This size bag, makes a great shot bag or shouldar bag. The more you use these bags, the softer they feel.

Natural green and gold hemp Previously exhibited at the Boston Children's Museum.

Approximately 8" wide x 8.5" tall.

Closed and Diagonal Twined Bag*

This bag was twined using both the closed twining and diagonal twining techniques. This size bag, makes a great shot bag or shouldar bag. The more you use these bags, the softer they feel. Currently on exhibit at The Institute for American Indian Studies. Previously exhibited at the Boston Children's Museum.

Made from natural and white hemp.

8 3/4" x 8" Tall

Small Twined Bags, *

Closed twined with braided strap. The perfect size for a medicine bag. Made from cotton cord.

Made from Natural hemp.

Approximaely 2" wide.

Closed Twined Bag

Small closed twined bag without strap. This just the right size to hold your cellphone and keys. The more you use these bags, the softer they feel. Made from hemp.

Natural and dark red hemp.

Approximately 4" tall x 6" wide.

* Photographs courtesy of Lina Longtoe Schulmeisters.

Email Vera at vlongtoe@vtindigenous.com

Uncommon Threads: Wabanaki Textiles, Clothing and Costume exhibit, on display at the Maine State Museum 2009-present. Co-curated by Laureen Labar and Bruce Bourque.

“For millennia, textiles have played a vital role as these Native Americans have expressed and maintained their identity,” explains LaBar. “The exhibit’s exceptional objects, dating from prehistory to the late 1800s, demonstrate how careful observation of traditional textiles and costume can provide insights into Wabanaki history.” (Tibets, 2010)

“Historical examples of Wabanaki textiles are scattered, scarce, and fragile,” adds Bourque. “Our concern has been that, fragment by fragment, more will slip away over time. We hope that this landmark exhibition will help rescue from obscurity one of North America’s most dynamic indigenous textile traditions.” (Tibets, 2010)