porcupine quills

[Dayne]

I picked up some quills from a friend that shot one and was wondering if anyone has done any decorating with these. I'm afraid to start the project without any insight before working with the quills. I don't feel like burying the burrs in my fingers and not be able to get them out. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[bnail]

Hey renegade, I'm sure that Okwaho will have some valuable advice once he sees tyhis threadm bu in the mean time, here's how I handled mine:
Wash 'em in a soapy solution to clean 'em up then soak 'em in colors of your choosing, they take a dye very well. after they've dried, sort 'em by size and thickness (for uniformity's sake" and nip off the ends with nail clippers. you'll need to flatten 'em before you start working with 'em, so you'll need something rigid for that purpose. I used to use my teeth, but haver since changed that practice considering the possible infections and dieses I might have contacted.
I started off practicing folding the quills by wrapping them around a wooden coffee stirrer, though these are getting pretty scarece anymore.
I'm sure you'll get more, and better advice from the more knowledgable quill workers, but this was how I get started.

Goodluck :hatsoff:

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Before using, clip off both ends, especially the exposed barbed end.

Arggh, spruce pigs. Many a bad memory of dogs and quills. (killed every porky I could in Alaska)

One can stick themselves deeply with a quill and never know it, until you try to remove. (as said, barbed on the end) If you should impale yourself, cut off the exposed end of quill first to collapse it, they are hollow and swell when moist. (read as in moist flesh)

Quills do make good vent picks, one porky tail would supply a battalion of rock lockers, for life.

 

[Okwaho]

skagan,I can do lots of things in this hobby but quill work just ain't one of them. I have a friend up in New England who is extremely talented and there's no way I could even come close to his work.
Tom Patton

 

[bnail]

I know what you mean, I've done enough quill work that my vocabulary has grown considerably, as I always seem to invent a new "word" everytime I attempte it! :cursing:
didn't mean to put you on thte spot. :redface:

 

I don't do quillwork either but my wife does. She recommends, "The Quillworkers Companion" unknown author, or a book by William C. Orchard,"The Technique of Porcupine Quill Decoration among the Indians of North America". They both show the various stitches in detail and are very good instructional aids to learn the craft. Or the very best way is to go north and live with the Cree for awhile. I hope this will help you.
Good luck!

 

[Okwaho]

You didn't,I only wish I could do quillwork or really nice beadwork but, Alas I can't.
Tom

 

[mspowderhorns]

the 'A Quillwork Compannion' is by Jean Heinbuch...It is the best ....Orchards book has some nice pics of orig work but is about worthless with the instructions given...give it a try..'nothing ventured-nothing gained'

 

[Bob Gular]

nativetech.org has info and instructions on quillwork techniques.

 

[Dayne]

Thanks for the input. It looks like I will have some reading to do. This sight is great for all the tips.

 

[BillinOregon]

Also consider reading the very fine chapter on quillworking in "The Book of Buckskinning III."