Iroquois Braided Cornhusk Bottle with Barry Keegan. #931-0320. One day

The Iroquois people are famous for their cornhusk artwork. The braided cornhusk bottle is one of the easier methods to learn. These bottles often held salt traditionally. We begin the process by braiding strips of wet cornhusks to make a long braided strip, which we then sew into a bottle shaped container. Students will learn how to make very straight braids with techniques that help get around what is otherwise learned through much practice. The container's shape is made and controlled by the stitching technique and the tightness or looseness of the strip during stitching. The stitching is invisible when done right. The bottle is typically at least 2 to 3 inches wide at the base and at least 4 to 6 inches high and has a corn cob stopper for the top. Thimbles are supplied but bring your favorite if you have one.