2 of 19

Parfleche

Created by the Plains American Indians (indigenous people who lived in the Plains regions of the United States).

Other Native nations adopted them and also made them.

They were created when horses were introduced to the region and people began to live a more nomadic lifestyle.

They were used to carry personal belongings, food, and ceremonial items on the back of horses.

Lightweight, durable, weatherproof and made with readily available materials.

3 of 19

Made of rawhide from deer, elk and other animals. Mostly BUFFALO.

4 of 19

Decorated with geometric designs that are believed to hold no symbolism. The Envelope form is the most common construction.

5 of 19

The box form is also common.

6 of 19

Value of an �Antique Parfleche� Today:

This one is from the 19^th Century

Crow Nation

$6928.00 USD

Some can go for as much as $20,000 USD

7 of 19

Many Native American Nations made Parfleches:

Crow

Cheyenne

8 of 19

Various sizes and styles, but the decorations and colors stayed similar.

Apache or Arapaho

Cheyenne

9 of 19

In most of the indigenous cultures, the women made them. They formed guilds (groups of artisans) that worked on them together.

Plains

Sioux

10 of 19

Instructions for a Parfleche Envelope:

Decide on the size of your Parfleche. Measure out the back piece on paper and add a top flap and bottom flap that are half the size of the full back. Add the side flaps to be able to overlap under the top flaps. Draw this out.
Lay your paper pattern/template on your fabric or leather and cut out your parfleche. Mark where the folds will be.
On your pattern/template, practice the designs you will apply to your parfleche. Think about colors and geometric patterns. You are NOT limited to their color palette or patterns. I went crazy ☺
After choosing a pattern, apply to your parfleche on the outsides with acrylic paint. Let all paint dry. If you are using fabric, have paper under you to keep your table or surface clean.
Fold your parfleche and see where the flaps will overlap. Make holes where you the sections can be tied together. Usually this is two places for the inside flaps first, and two or three ties for the outside flaps. You may add fringe, a handle or other items of your choice to complete your design.

11 of 19

Reflection:

After you make your Parfleche, answer the following questions to turn in with pictures of your project (show both sides):

If you lived a lifestyle that required you to move and travel often, what possessions would you keep in your parfleche?
Do your designs reflect anything about you?
What is something you learned about the American indigenous cultures during this process or this lesson?
What is something today that is similar to this item from their culture?

12 of 19

Making your Own

Step by Step in Images

13 of 19

Decide on the size of your Parfleche. Measure out the back piece on paper and add a top flap and bottom flap that are longer than half the size of the full back. Add the side flaps to be able to overlap under the top flaps. Draw this out. �

14 of 19

Lay your paper pattern/template on your fabric or leather and cut out your parfleche. Mark where the folds will be.�

15 of 19

On your pattern/template, practice the designs you will apply to your parfleche. Think about colors and geometric patterns. You are NOT limited to their color palette or patterns. I went crazy ☺�

16 of 19

After choosing a pattern, apply to your parfleche on the outsides with acrylic paint. Let all paint dry. If you are using fabric, have paper under you to keep your table or surface clean.�

17 of 19

Fold your parfleche and see where the flaps will overlap. Make holes where you the sections can be tied together. Usually this is two places for the inside flaps first, and two or three ties for the outside flaps. You may add fringe, a handle or other items of your choice to complete your design.�

1 of 19