Sewing with Sinew

Traditionally, footwear was stitched together using sinew and both quillwork and beadwork were done with sinew threads. Sinew used for sewing was created out of the long length of tendon found along each side of a large animal's backbone or along its legs. To prepare it for sewing, sinew was stripped from the animal, dried and then split into finer threads that would be twisted in preparation for use. Awls were used to perforate the hide, creating the small holes through which the sinew was threaded. Some groups embellished their footwear after it was constructed, while others decorated before. In both cases, sinew and awls were essential.