Guest Author - Susan Kramer
This great virtual paper doll shows a Native American girl with a variety of traditional dress options. It's free, and it's online from Native American Technology and Art. http://www.nativetech.org/games/paperdolls/
She has leggings and garters with a nice pattern running in two rows down the front of the legs. For her feet add on the center seam moccasins with a row of fringe around the cuff that folds over around the ankle.
If you'd like, add on the wrap around skirt. The design is a straight skirt, but as it is a wrap around the deep overlap gives plenty of room for movement. The front and lower edges are emboidered in a herringbone pattern in contrasting colors to the body of the skirt. And, it has a waistband in the same hide as the skirt.
Her two-hide tunic is trimmed beautifully with beads and hanging fringe at the lower edge. The main dress is one kind of hide and the second hide is a lighter color in an interesting pattern forming the yolk. It also has overlaid beadwork.
There is an intricately patterned Wampum Belt to wear over the skirt that is completely beaded with tassels hanging from its open edges.
And, why not adorn the dress with a Wampum Necklace made of several strands of medium long beads.
In the fashion of the belt the Wampum Headband is beaded in a geometric pattern with short tassels hanging down the back, and the earrings are made of brass.
To complete the outfit is a Gathering Bag with horizontal rows of different patterns in beading and a long beaded strap!
In addition to this virtual doll, at the link there are other interactive games and a bibliography of texts on Native Americans.
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.
