BOAS] APPLICATION OF DESIGN TO FIELD 259 
coil splints up into a perfect round bundle, adding new splints, 
preventing lumps or depressions, keeping coils uniform both as 
regards size and tightness of sewing, attending to the proper dampen- 
ing of material, the imbrication—which with some women means 
lessening also the thickness of the coil sufficiently to keep the imbri- 
cated surface even with the plain sections—the selection of colors, 
spacing and treatment of designs, with enlargement or diminution 
according to the changing size of the field, all are to be considered 
at the same time. It would not be surprising if something were 
temporarily overlooked and mistakes occurred which were observed 
only when it was too late to remedy them. In fact, it is amazing 
that the general character of the entire product is so perfect, the 
stitches so even, the coils so uniform, the colors so well blended, and 
the designs so well adapted and spaced. 
It will be seen from Figure 36 (p. 217) that roughly trapezoidal 
fields are formed on all sides, within which the designs selected must 
be arranged. Owing to the technique of sewing and imbrication, two 
stitches never are placed exactly over each other in succeeding rows, 
but run to the left, more or less markedly, according to the amount 
of care exercised by the maker. Thus all designs which under ideal 
conditions would present vertical lines lean to the left, and in the 
upper right-hand corner of the field a space results which is actually 
much larger than it should be if the design could be properly con- 
structed. The people evidently feel the need for filling in this space, 
thus helping to obscure an otherwise obvious fault in the technique 
and therefore add sections of design to occupy this left-over tri- 
angular field. This treatment of corners furnishes material for a 
most interesting and instructive study of the inventive faculties, 
resourcefulness, and artistic taste of these Indians. To our eyes, 
long accustomed to symmetry, or balance, these “left-overs’’ fre- 
quently present an annoying spectacle. 
Considering the inconvenience to successful ornamentation occa- 
sioned by such forms as the burden baskets have assumed, in which 
pronounced corners have created new difficulties, it would seem that 
round forms, the surface of which presents an easily treated and un- 
broken field, would have remained in favor. A stiff, round burden 
basket is inconvenient, however, because it rolls back and forth while 
being carried. Flat sides lend greater stability to the load which is 
carried on the backs of men or on the sides of horses. It seems that 
the practical improvement secured by the alteration of shape has 
outweighed all artistic considerations and has determined the devel- 
opment of the form. 
Of those who plan their work (and they are in the majority), a few 
sketch the design first on paper. Some who, when not engaged in 
basket making, see designs which please them, sketch them at once 
