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Welcome to my website!
You are here because you share my passion for history, heritage and maybe even sewing.
Have you ever wondered how the explorers and 1st nation’s people of long ago kept warm while out facing minus 50 degree temperatures? How did they keep those winter winds from freezing their bodies? One way was with their pure wool voyageur coats made from a Hudson’s Bay point blanket. The Hudson’s Bay Company is Canada’s oldest chartered company rich in history and famous for its point blankets.
The point blanket was first imported by the Hudson’s Bay Company to Canada in 1780. It was used as a staple of trade with the 1st nation’s people. The point blanket was manufactured in England and continues to be manufactured there today.
By the end of the 1870’s the first nations people adapting the old French capote style, or Métis Voyageur coats as they were known. They fashioned versions of the coat from the Hudson’s Bay point blanket to included fringes or tassels on the hood, shoulder seams or cuffs. Beads, fur and other embellishments were sometimes used on the upper body of the coat. The capotes were usually worn closed with a tie belt or sash. The capotes were worn for many different special occasions. Some of the events included pow wows, summer festivals and tribal meetings.
You too can experience the excitement of creating your own handmade Métis capote during a one day workshop.
The workshop begins with a brief history session about the Hudson’s Bay Company and the history of the point blanket. Then you will get your creative juices going as you determine how your capote will be designed, with fringe, no fringe, length, buttons or sash. All of this is part of creating your own personalized voyageur coat as you spend the morning cutting a point blanket to create your capote.
The great thing about these workshops is that anyone can do them. The capote is hand sewn in the blanket stitch so even an inexperienced sewer can accomplish making their own capote.
The workshop includes all of your supplies including the Hudson’s Bay point blanket and sewing supplies. All you have to do is come to a workshop and have fun. So if you are interested contact Suzan Lagrove.
What color voyageur coat will you choose to make? Wrap yourself in history!
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