This photo shows men's clothing from the similar tribes of the Montagnais and Naskapi Indians of the Northern Woodlands about 1850.
Both tribes were originally located in Labrador, which is in the northeastern section of North America, along the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They spoke in Algonquian dialects, and lived in wigwams.
Today these tribes are joined and known as the Innu, living in Quebec on reservations.
I took these photographs of the displays that were at the Field Museum in Chicago, USA, in May 2002.
If you are going to make clothing for dolls, try to match the details for as much authenticity as possible. I have included this large image to help you in your projects.
Suede cloth can be used to replicate leather. Notice all the detailed stitching on the shirt which is the top layer in the outfit over a tunic and pants. This layering probably served as insulation for the colder climate above the 48th degree latitude.
The doll mannequin modeling the clothing looks like it is made from a firmly stuffed cotton and is approximately life size.
More from Field Museum:
Seminole Indian Wooden Doll and Clothing
Love and Fertility Medicine Dolls of the Potawatomi and Winnebago Indians
Ceremonial Clothing of Indians of the Western Prairie
Charity Note:
I'd like to suggest that if you spend time making doll clothes, anyway, that you collect a few dolls from friends and neighbors and sew a wardrobe or a complete outfit for each doll. Then donate the doll in the completed outfit to a charity that distributes used dolls and toys to kids that otherwise would not have any.
Article and photography Susan Kramer
