Ceinture fléchée

An arrow sash handmade in 2007 (with details of the paterns)

A machine-weaved arrow sash

The ceinture fléchée (from French, English: "arrow sash") is a type of colourful sash, a traditional piece of clothing of the Quebec people's ancestors of the 19th century (of the Lower Canada, Canada East and early confederation eras). The Métis also made ceintures fléchées and use them as part of their national costume. In the province of Québec, this wool sash was used by men to tie jackets around their waist to prevent the cold from creeping in. It was a both practical and fashionable accessory, worn by both the bourgeois and the habitant classes. The width of a traditional belt can be 15 centimeters to 25 centimeters and its lenght can easily be more than 2 meters.

It is adorned by an arrowed pattern and was worn around the winter coats of the time. It is also a symbol of the Lower Canada Rebellion, and the Quebec Winter Carnival, as it is worn by the festival mascot, Bonhomme Carnaval. Imitations are sold and seen throughout the carnival. The belt is represented in a number of artistic creations, like the illustration Le Vieux de '37 by Henri Julien, the painting L'Assemblée des six-comtés by Charles Alexander Smith and the song Mon Pays, suivi du Reel des Aristocrates from néo-trad musical band Les Cowboys Fringants.

Arrow sash technic

Many steps are required for the creation of an arrow sash (also known as an "Assomption Sash"). First, the craftmaker picks the wool threads that he needs. The threads have to be long enough so that the person who will wear the belt can pass it twice around the waist. The craftmaker needs to add the lenght of the fringes at each side of the belt. The fringes are used to tie the arrow sash.

After that, the craftmaker organizes the threads and weaves them to create designs of lightnenings (zigzag), flames (lozenges) and arrow heads (often in the middle of the sash). Finaly, the craftmaker finish the belt by making twists or braids with the lenght of thread that remain, to make the fringes.

It can take more than 350 hours to make a sash. That explains its beauty and its cost. People often confuse authentic handmade arrow sash and machine-weaved sash. A weaved sash habitually doesn't cost more than 50$. However, a real handmade belt is more beautiful and durable than a machine-weaved one, often made with synthetic fibers (nylon, polyester).

A real handmade arrow sash is a masterpiece piece of clothing that, evidently, people can wear. Nowadays, we can find sash, scarf, page keeper, etc.

External link

Artisans et artisanes de ceinture fléchée du Québec (Canada): this website offers a list of craftmakers, news about activities related to the arrow sash and a list of places where people can buy authentic handmade belts.

See also

• National costume
• Culture of Quebec
• Lower Canada Rebellion
• Quebec City Winter Carnival