Creating the Body of the Dress

• 1). Measure the future wearer of the dress to determine how large the tube body of the dress needs to be. The tube's diameter must be at least 2 to 3 inches larger than the wearer's body, so it is easy to put on and take off.
  
  
• 2). Measure one hide and determine if it is wide enough to create a tube of the measurement obtained in step 1. If not, cut the second hide to the appropriate width to make up the difference, with an additional inch to cover the overlap created when sewing. Set aside the extra hide that you do not use for the body of the dress.
  
  
• 3). Sew the two pieces of hide together at the edges, forming a simple tube. You can also sew in an A-line style, with the lower part of the dress being wider than the body. Cut the length according to taste, but leave enough material at the bottom to cut a fringe.
  
  
• 4). Using the piece of hide set aside in step 2, cut two simple straps (any width) to fit over the shoulders of the wearer and attach to the main body of the dress to hold it up. Make sure the straps will fit over the shoulders of the wearer, remembering to add an extra inch to make up for the overlap that occurs when sewing the straps to the body of the dress.
  
  
• 5). Sew the straps onto the body of the dress.
  
  

Creating the Cape

• 1). Measure the circumference of the wearer's head with your measuring tape.
  
  
• 2). Cut a circle in the middle of the hide large enough to allow the wearer's head to pass through easily.
  
  
• 3). Place the hide over the wearer's head, as you would a poncho.
  
  
• 4). Gather the hide material under the wearer's arms, using dressmaker's pins to mark the place you would like to sew the hide to create sleeves. Sleeves should be large and loose when following traditional Native American style.
  
  
• 5). Sew the hide material together to form tubular sleeves of the width the wearer desires. Do not cut away any extra material, as this will be used to create the fringed effect. When sewing sleeves, leave a hole in the bottom of the hide large enough for the wearer's upper body. The style is similar to a loose, large-sleeved version of a bolero jacket.
  
  

Embellishing the Dress

• 1). Decorate the cape in a traditional Native American manner by sewing on porcupine quills, coins, carved bone, animal teeth, or glass beads.
  
  
• 2). Create a fringe under the sleeves by making long cuts, approximately 1/2 inch apart, into the extra material dangling under the sleeves. The length and width of the fringe can be adjusted to taste.
  
  
• 3). Create a fringe at the bottom of the dress in the same way you created a fringe under the sleeves in step 2.