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Craft

Birch Bark Container

Photograph showing completed birch bark and paper containers
Source

The Beothuk made vessels from birch bark for cooking and storing food. The bark was folded and then sewn together with split roots.

Materials

  • birch bark (or construction paper)
    Note: If you use birch bark, make sure that you first get permission to take the birch bark and that you only use bark from a tree that has fallen down. If you use construction paper, you can glue two pieces together (a white and a brown piece) and draw lines on one sheet to make it look like birch bark.
  • scissors
  • pencil
  • glue
  • needle
  • heavy thread

Instructions

Photograph showing materials required for birch bark container
Source		   Photograph showing step 1 of how to make a birch bark container
Source
Materials needed for birch bark (or paper) container   Step 1. Take a rectangular piece of birch bark (or paper) and mark the fold lines as shown in the photograph.

Series of three photographs showing step 2 of how to make a birch bark container
Source		   Photograph showing step 3 of how to make a birch bark container
Source
Step 2. Fold the bark (or paper) along the fold lines in the order indicated to form a cone. Stitch or (glue) along the edges.   Step 3. Fold over 1 inch at bottom of cone. Stitch (or glue) along the fold.

Photograph showing step 4 of how to make a birch bark container
Source		   Photograph showing completed birch bark and paper containers
Source
Step 4. Trim top to make an even edge.   Finished birch bark and paper containers


Proactive Disclosure
Created: 2005-01-13
Updated: 2005-01-13
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