Osceola Lodge 564 2007 activity patches
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All of the lodges in Florida, from time to time, have used a theme for their activity pieces to be issued during the year (either January to December, or a year-long period corresponding to the term of the respective Lodge Chief). This is a practice first begun by Seminole Lodge 85 back in 1968-69, but Tipisa 326 has been the most famous practicioner, having used an annual set every year since 1973-74. Many of the lodges have also issed a jacket patch, referred to as a “year patch”, that ties into the theme of the weekend event pieces, and provides an additional source of revenue. From what I have been told, Osceola will not have a year patch with their 2007 set.
Now a word about the design. The “Seminole” jacket (also called shirts) is a creation of the clans of the Miccosukee Seminoles in south Florida, evolving from their style of clothing from the 1800s. The more colorful repetitive patterns on the shirts, called “bands”, are created by sewing cloth together in strips, re-cutting, and re-sewing into the repeating designs.
Some roadside stores and gift shops in the reservations still sell these jackets, but the very small and complicated bands are becoming harder to find, and can cost $150 or more, for the more simple jackets.
On a personal note, I made a three-banded jacket of my own in 1984, to show that it could be done. Any sewing machine capable of a straight stitch can be used, but it is an exercise in patience and precision, to get it to turn out right. If you are interested in trying to make one of your own, drop me a note, and I’ll dig up my notes.
I think that these patches are some of the most striking out there, and am proud to have acquired one. Thanks for the info on their design ; my wife’s a quilter, and she is of the opinion that it would be very difficult to make one of these shirts/ jackets.
Jim:
Actually, the creation of the patchwork on an actual jacket is simple, ONLY if one can maintain a straight stitch on a sewing machine. The difficulty comes from the cutting and re-stitching of the different pieces, but it can be done.
In 1984, I spent a good part of my summer break making a jacket, as the first time that I had ever run a sewing machine. I won a blue ribbon at the 1985 Section SE-1 Conference craft competition for standart, merit, and high honor (top level). The judges had several questions concerning my ability to pull it off myself, and I was the only winner that was not already dancing during the Festival of Feathers competition. So, it can be done, with the right amount of patience and precision.