How To Make A Tule Mat

In addition to demonstrating how to create the mats swan discusses the materials required to make the mats some of the traditional uses for mats and the qualities of tule reed that make them useful for constructing shelters.

How to make a tule mat.

Generally the length of the stalk corresponds to the width of the mat. Next they are separated cut into desired lengths and stored to dry. The tule mat lodge the tule mat lodge was a typical structure used as a shelter or house style that was built by many tribes of the plateau cultural group. Dried tule stalks are more resilient than green tule.

Once dry taw li winch evenly arranges the tules in a row and sews them together using a half turn twining technique around each tule. When you are ready to make your mat size and cut the tule into equal lengths. Tule mats are used on the walls of traditional structures such as teepees and longhouses. If made correctly a tule mat will withstand years of use.

The tule mat lodge was made using tule a type of bulrush or reed that grew in these areas. In this overview caryldene swan from the coeur d alene tribe of indians demonstrates how to create a tule reed mat.