Canadien Assomption Sash by Guillaume Marcotte

A small Assomption sash of 3 3/4" by 48", plus 27" of fringes.

It has been a few years since we have heard from Guillaume. He is back weaving part time. More of his work can be found on his Facebook page here.

Copy and photo supplied by Guillaume Marcotte.

Guillaume Marcotte Sash

2 ply yarn

Photo supplied by Guillaume Marcotte.

Fingerwoven Strap by Guillaume Marcotte

2 ply yarn

Photo supplied by Guillaume Marcotte.

Fingerwoven Strap by Guillaume Marcotte

2 ply yarn

Photo supplied by Guillaume Marcotte.

Guillaume Marcotte Fingerwoven Sash

This is a fingerwoven sash made after the "Caldwell strap". It is not an exact replica, but close to the original. That one was a strap tied to a powder-horn, brought to Europe by Sir John Caldwell who lived and worked in the Niagara and Détroit forts in 1774-1780. My sash is made from 2-ply yarns and the weaving is 6" by 44".

Copy and photo supplied by Guillaume Marcotte.

Red River Métis Pouch by Guillaume Marcotte

Made from braintan deer, stroud, cotton, wool yarn and glass beads.

Photo supplied by Guillaume Marcotte.

"Chénier" finger woven sash by Guillaume Marcotte

This is known in Québec as the "Chénier" sash since the French Canadian revolt of 1837. Dr Chénier, one of the Patriot leaders, died on the battlefield wearing one of these sashes. His own was a five arrow heads one. These sashes were usually beaded on both sides of the arrows. It's one of the oldest patterns used on French Canadian finger weaving. The Patriots of 1837-38 were promoting traditional "Habitant" clothing: A wool cap, a blanket capote, a finger woven sash and bark tanned moccasins (called savage boots, "bottes sauvages"). The famous picture shows an 1837-38 patriot (by Henri Julien 1904).
 

Copy and photos supplied by Guillaume Marcotte.

Guillaume Marcotte Sashes

3 Finger woven sashes, made with the same traditional methods of my ancestors. French-Canadian patterns.

1st sash:

Assomption sash. 4-ply yarn. The most popular pattern in the Fur trade.

SIZE: Total Length: 97½". Width: 5".

2nd sash:

Chevron sash. 2-ply yarn. Well known pattern all around the world.

SIZE: Total length: 78". Width: 2½".

3rd sash:

"Ceinture de Québec" sash. 2-ply yarn. Also known as Flèches nettes.

SIZE: Total length: 76½". Width: 2¾".

Copy and photos supplied by Guillaume Marcotte

Voyaguer Neck Bag by Guillaume Marcotte

The fur trade Voyageurs starting from Montréal for their long journeys to the "pays d'en haut" always brought some bags to carry their personal belongings. Among them, we sometimes found some small neck bags. I made this original bag with both worlds in mind: native and french-canadian. The strap is finger woven using french-canadian methods with the pattern we call "picotté". Made with fine worsted yarn. The bag is made from brain tanned deer buckskin, red wool cloth (including the lining) and broad porcupine quills. Size: Length of the bag: 7½". Width of the bag: 5". Length of the strap: 18".

Photos supplied by Guillaume Marcotte. More of Guillaume's work can be seen at Voyageurs Buckskin.

Guillaume Marcotte Caribou Skin "Octopus Bag"

Fire bags were used by Natives, Métis and Voyageurs or Coureurs de bois. Tobacco, pipe, flint and steel were kept inside. Even if it was a very useful item, the fire bag was often decorated with glass beads, embroidery or silk ribbons. It was worn at the belt, just like on the picture below, painted by Krieghoff in the 1840's in Québec.

This fire bag is an "Octopus bag", which was one of the more popular kind of fire bags in the 19th century. It takes his name from the 8 tabs on the bottom. Although it originated from Red River Métis, it soon became widespread from Labrador to Alaska, from Arctic Ocean to Columbia river.

My octopus bag is an original work, but based on the historical style of the mid-19th century James Bay. All the materials used are historically accurate: Braintan caribou buckskin, calico (cotton) lining, green silk trimmings, glass beads, wool tassels and cotton thread (hand stiches). SIZE: Total length: 13". Width: 8"

Copy and photos supplied by Guillaume Marcotte. Guillaume is a professional braintanner in Québec-Canada working mainly on French-Canadian Voyageurs items. More of his work and information about purchasing hides can be seen at Voyageurs Buckskin.