The Birchbark Canoe



The birchbark canoe is made from the bark of birch trees.

Birchbark canoes range in size from 10 to 24 feet. They can be made small for one person, but they can also be made larger to carry as many as 50 paddlers!

All the materials needed for building a canoe can be found in the woods.


You can make your own miniature birchbark canoe model by following these instructions...

1. Cut out pattern in soaked bark with woody side intact.

 

 

2. Carefully cut slits as shown.

 

 

3. Bend - do not crease - in half length wise so woody side faces out. Pinch one end and fold up the small tab; repeat with other end.

4. Whip-stitch up and then down the seam on each end. Make sure one stitch goes through the small tab. Whip-stitch a small basket splint around the canoe rim (gunwale).

5. Spread center of canoe to a one inch diameter and fill holes and cracks with waterproof glue or pitch so it will float.