Some grass is used for sewing, and is sometimes called wrapping grass, it is strong and flexible. The other grass that does not make the grade as wrapping, or sewing grass, is called filler grass and is used to provide form and structure for the article being made. Sedge is gathered in early August and October when it is ready. Its leaves are dried and used along with rye grass to make things. Sedge has a nicer coloring than does rye grass, and makes a more ornamental piece of work.
Women use two weaving techniques that are common throughout the world, twining and coiling.
I use the coil technique. Mekoryuk is at the mouth of Shoal Bay on the north shore of Nunivak Island in the Bering Sea. See Map of the region . It is about 155 miles west of Bethel. The first recorded outside contact was in 1821 by the Russian American Company, who said there were 400 people living in some 16 villages on the Island.