Mat Needle

Item number Nbz845 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Long, bowed, wooden mat needle. Flat on one side and triangular on the other. One end flares out to a diamond shaped point with the tip missing. The other end has a small thin triangular hole cut out. Knotted brown fabric tied through the triangular hole.

History Of Use

Mat needles are used for sewing together, and crimping, mats made from cat-tail and tule reeds.

Cultural Context

domestic; plant technology

Specific Techniques

According to Dr. Michael Kew, Coast Salish mat needles were normally made from the wood of a plant called ocean spray or ironwood. They were made by splitting the vertical stalk to create two needles, flat on one side and rounded on the other.