Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-08
THE BASKETRY ART
THE GENIUS OF THE INDIAN Wo-
MEN IN DEMAND.
A Handicraft That is Now Taken
Up by the
Artistic.

Written for The Evening Star.
Raffia work is one of the most interest
ing of the artistic handicrafts. 1t usually
takes Americans a very little while to alb
sorb and adapt an idea and make 1t their
own in a practical fashion. The raff1a or
basketry idea has been the exception that
proves the rule. This beautiful art has &C
tually been with us as long as our red
brother, and we have not appreciated its
artistic or commercial worth until within
the last few years. Possibly some traveller
has brought home a piece Of the Indian
work. We saw 1t, raved over its coloring
and shape, but the idea Of attempting any
thing like 1t never entered the brain.
After many years we have at last walked
up to an appreciation of the value OF our
aboriginal handicraft and are jealousy
treasuring every hint on the subject. The
government has appointed Indian teachers
to give instruction in raff1a at the Indian
schools and is encouraging the squaws to
go on with the art Singularly enough, 1t
Is the old squaW who does most of the
weaving. Old, ugly and unwieldy in ap-
pearance, she still retains the skillful, sup
pie fingers Of her youth and does wonder
full work. The possibilities of this work
were first recognized by a Chicago woman,
who experimental in the kindergarten and
manual training schools and achieved re-
markable success. With their trained
:
ton, the kindergarten children make many
pretty and simple designs. To these chill
dren 1t is only step in advance Of their
paper mat weaving. Later on in the train
ing school they work out more ambitious
results in rattan as well as raffia.
Society has now taken up the fad. All
over the country clubs are being formed
for winter work. In many instances the
fad has worked itself into serious pur-
pose. and enthusiasm and competition run
high among its devotees. There is every
thing to recommend this raffia work and
nothing to condemn. Unlike the amateur
photographer. the novice In basketry does
all her own work. The developing and
finishing of the article her clever fingers
complete without the stains Of horrfd acids
or the Imprisonment In a black hole polite
ly called dark room. No; she Is free to
carry out any Individual scheme of color
or fancy in construction. When sufficient
knowledge is gained, enough to admit of an
intelligent selection Of plants from which
to obtain dyes, the woods and meadows are
searched for these treasures. In most
states are to be found grasses and willows
which work up beautifully into baskets.
Maine and Canada are rich in different
varieties Of grasses, especially the sweet
scented grass which when bruised gives
of delicious odor.
Grows Away OF.
The rafF1a from which this work gets its
name is the outer cuticle Of a palm grown
in MADAGASCAR 1t is stiff, pliable yellow
stuff. The women and children of Madagas-
car have quite an industry in the prepare
ton of raffia for all over the world.
Rattan and rush are also used. but only by
skiIlful workers. The raffia Is particular
ly good material for children and persons
unaccustomed to the fashioning of things
with their hands; 1t Is pliable and easy to
manage.
The materials necessary for first lesson
In this fascinating art are few and simple.
A hank of raffia, a pair OF scissors and sew
eral fat sticks a yard long, a paper OF
worsted needles and the beginner Is ready
for work The first stitch is simple under
and over weaving one. Double weaving Is
done in the same way. except that two
Weavers are used at once
Here are directions for making an easy
pattern, which Is the basis of all the more
complicated stitches: A yard stick is held in
the hand and worked from left to right at
an angle with the, body, the end of the stick
resting on some firm foundation. A piece OF
the raffia Is tied about the stick and knot
ted and pulled up quite tight. AS many
stitches as are needed are then knotted
down the stick. Leave a small space, then
commence with the inner one nearest the
person and knot like the first row. This Is
continued until the proper number of rows
are made. Great care should be exercised
in having the rows perfectly even. With
this stitch as guide others can be worked
out and any number of lovely things fash
toned. OF course, the artistic woman has
the advantage in being able to work out
more beautiful color schemes than her less
gifted sister.
The Persian Law.
II is q positive crime TO use ul.iine dyes
for coloring the rafiia or grasses. There is
a law in Persia that IL these aniline dyes
are brought into the country the guilty
person Is put to death. And In the RATA