“The pride of every Dakota home is God’s Eye-the morning star quilt.  It lies folded to wait as a gift.  It covers the bed, and it wraps the dead.  It makes sacred whatever it covers.  It is a sacramental.  It is a visible image that holds an invisible reality.”  (Tana Mundwiler, Blue Cloud org., Jan. 2001)

     Ever since I was young, I have been interested in sewing, crocheting, and making crafts.  My mother, aunts, and paternal grandmother did a lot of sewing and making crafts which included making clothes for their children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren, making doll clothes for gifts, and making many decorations to be used throughout the year. 

It was my maternal grandmother, Margaret Kleffner, however, who taught me how to sew and crochet.  Each summer I would spend vacation time with her, and she would give me her scraps of material or yarn so I could make my own project to take home with me. The blankets I have made have been crocheted or embroidered thanks to her teachings.  And although she also did a lot of quilting, I never had the opportunity to learn that from her. 

            Remembering my grandmother and quilts she had made, and now quilts made by my mother and mother-in-law, I have always wanted to try quilting, but have never taken the time.

The “morning star” pattern has always intrigued me.  I have often wondered how the small pieces were sewn into the diamond and triangular designs.

Since we began our Native American studies, I have seen the “morning star” design in quilts, decorations, and material designs.  It is also the design seen in artwork done by the Plains Indians, which further enhanced my interest to learn more about the background and meaning of the “morning star” pattern as well as trying to create something using the design.

            Beginning on the internet, I found several sites that discussed the meaning and origin of the design.  I found that long before the Native Americans began using the design in their quilts, they used it to adorn animal skins used for tepees, shields, and clothing.  It was also depicted in the Plains Indians’ leggings, porcupine-quilled moccasins, and hide paintings.  When the Plains Indians were introduced to beads by the traders, the star design then began to appear in beaded form.  Later having been introduced to the needles and calico-printed fabrics brought to them by the missionaries of the 1800’s, it then began to be used in quilts.  It became a way for the quilters to express themselves through their artwork medium.

            A religious observance of the stars and a reverence for all heavenly bodies is shown through traditions and mythology of the Plains Indians.  Thus the Star Quilt is given as a token of the belief that to the Stars the Great Spirit gave the power to watch over mortals on earth and impart to them spiritual blessings. Pride in “honorship” and not in “ownership” of material objects is shown by those who have a death in the family by giving away Star Quilts to close friends and relatives who help bury their loved one.  Quilts are also given at baby-naming ceremonies, pow-wows, graduations, funerals, and for athletic achievement. 

            Continuing my search on the internet, I came across a site through NE Public TV.  One of the transcripts I saw was called “Stitching the Stars”. The short documentary discusses the significance of the star quilts and is presented by two Native Americans- Alana Smith (Shoshon-Pauite) and Kelly Baumgartner (Sioux).

            I then contacted Annie Mumgaard at NETV.  Having sent her an email that I was interested in watching the documentary and possibly contacting the women, she put me through to Brad Pace the producer of the documentary “Stitching the Stars”.  Since that time, I have received a copy of the documentary. I found it fascinating, and   I would love to see all the quilts they have made. 

            I have tried contacting Alana Smith via telephone and email, but I have not received a response. 

            Through our studies, I have been enlightened by the significance of a grandmother in a Native American’s girl’s life.

 I feel that the importance of spending time with my own grandmothers was just as significant to my life.  I was very close to my grandmothers and spent much time with them.  It was a very difficult time in my life when they passed on, especially Grandma Kleffner, who I had spent more time with. I am blessed to have spent the time I did with her.  I never begin a project- sewing or crafts without thinking of her and the time she spent with me- one of thirty-five grandchildren- sharing something that was very special to her.  I was honored when I stopped to visit her one day when she asked if I would like her sewing machine when it came to the time in her life when she could no longer sew.  To this day, ten years after her death at the age of 96, I still have and use Grandma’s machine.

The significance of this project was not only in learning about a symbol significant to Native Americans, but also in the connection between generations- whatever our background. 

 Please click on this slideshow for step-by-step pictures:

  Mitakuye Oyasin Spiral Star Quilt