Back before such thing as internet shopping or even physical stores every day items were hand crafted from necessity. Today’s novelty folk art was yesterday’s winter project for do or die. Clothing was needed for protection as well as social status. Hand made garments were the norm. The artistry depended on the ability to purchase or weave fabric and obtain supplies such as looms. To vary color natural substances were used such as berries, bark and sometimes dirt. While in the earliest days some bartering of products was done, for the most part each household created its own clothing line.

Wealthy estates could purchase professionally woven fabrics yet most of the construction was done at home by seamstresses. As with today’s Folk art items were one of a kind. Since hand making was time and cost consuming, the results were long lasting carefully fitted costumes with multi-purposes. In modern times a knitted or home spun piece of clothing is a rare almost novelty item often found at craft shows and artists booths. Pottery, jewelry, clothing, quilts and much home decor is now mass produced. Its counter part, the home constructed piece is considered an art form rather than a required work.