Sometimes women sewed patterns that were symbolic of Seminole clans. Each Seminole Indian born from a Seminole mother is a member of her clan, a traditional extended family unit: bear, snake, panther, toad/bigtown, bird, deer, wind, otter. Some designs reflected daily life: lightning striking across the sky, crosses that reflected Christian teachings, fires that raced through the swamp, the spools that held the colored threads used to sew the very patchwork. A design might be named after its creator. Copying a designer was a high compliment. Color might play a part, and sometimes reflected the medicine colors of the four directions.

Photo courtesy of the Seminole Tribe of Florida Below left, Seminole ladies in patchwork regalia.

So distinguishing was this patchwork garment art that pattern changes in patchwork trace the history of the Seminole over the past one hundred years. Lee Tiger, a Seminole public relations executive, mounted a popular exhibit illustrating Seminole history through clothing for the International Travel Exchange Trade Show in Berlin, German in 1995-96. A student of patchwork will be intrigued to discover the noticeable pattern and garment differences that reflect each decade since the 20's. Patchwork bands narrowed over time. This was carried to an extreme in the 1960's when the small scale bands became known as "postage stamp work."

From the 1970's to the present, many seamstresses enlarged their designs and began utilizing fabrics other than cotton for special occasions. Although a few traditional people still wear patchwork for every day, most now wear their patchwork for ceremonial or special occasions. Patchwork vests are worn frequently today. Patchwork has also been used to decorate all other types of clothing.