How to Make Indian Crafts From Nature

There are countless Native American Indian crafts you can make just using natural materials. You can forage through the woods looking for materials found in nature and use your imagination to put together loin cloths, head dresses, tomahawks, necklaces and the list goes on. A simple craft to make with children is a leather headband with feathers. It's the ideal craft to make with kids because when you're finished you can go play a game of cowboys and Indians!

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pen
• Strip of flexible suede or other leather
• Scissors
• 2 feathers
• Hot running water
• Hand soap

Instructions

1. Wrap the measuring tape around the circumference of the person's head you are making the headband for. Take note of the measurement and add about six inches to the total.

2. Take an old, soft piece of suede or other leather from an old jacket or other piece of clothing and transfer the measurement from the measuring tape to the leather, using a pen to mark the end points.

3. Cut out the length of the measured leather about one or two inches in width.

4. Find two feathers and wash them in hot water with hand soap to disinfect.

5. Hold the feathers perpendicular to the ground and near the crown of the head.

6. Fan out the feather a bit and ask the person to hold the feathers in place.

7. Wrap the leather strip around the forehead and the bottom of the feathers and tie in a knot at the back of the head to hold the feathers in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Tie the headband tightly enough so that it will hold the feathers in place but not so tight as to give the wearer a headache.

• Don't cut up your parents' still useful and nice leather clothing to make this project.

References

• Making Friends
• Youthwork Practice