Turkey Feather Roach

[Crewdawg445]

Hi all, I'm very happy to share a few images of a turkey feather roach I recently completed a few days ago. Even though there isn't a whole lot of native conversation and garb shared on the site, I very much like bringing my native projects to the table. Being a piece of garb that's very personal and of great importance to many eastern natives, the turkey roach was widely worn and displayed with pride. I set out by hand weaving a yarn base that was hand sewn into a circle base with waxed red linen thread. Next step involved hand splitting each individual turkey feather. The most time consuming portion of the project was this step, yet it was the most rewarding IMO. I then wrapped each quill end with red and blue thread for appearance and proceeded to hand sew each feather to the base. Once the sewing was complete a leather backing was applied to the base. A very rewarding project with great symbolic meaning. This piece was often worn in conjuction with a porky roach or often alone on the scalp lock. Hope you all enjoy the images.

Here's an image showing one of my porky roaches, along with the feather roach.

 

[jackley]

Very nice! I would think splitting those feathers would be a pain.
Jerry

 

[Crewdawg445]

It surely was, however very much worth the efforts.

 

[rfisher]

Nice piece, how about a pic of you in full period dress wearing it?

 

[necchi]

Whats the red stuff added in the last pic?

 

[Crewdawg445]

neechi, last picture is one of my porky roaches (porcupine and deer hair) which is a traditional eastern native piece. The turkey roach was often worn in conjunction with a traditional roach. Now planes natives also wore roaches, but their pieces were larger and sometimes more elaborate than eastern tribes.

Fisher71, I'll certainly post some images, I have an upcoming event so pictures will be taken for sure. However, here's an older image (minus the turkey roach) that will give you a visual of how these pieces are worn. The turkey roach when worn with the porky roach (pictured) is essentially secured in the middle of the base with a roach pin or leather tie.

 

[MSW]

looks way cool!

 

[rfisher]

looking forward to seeing the pics. I got a buddy that does a native American persona, I have learned alot from him.

 

[Crewdawg445]

It's a real honor having the heritage and being blessed with the ability to immerse myself into the lifestyle. Stay tuned for sure, I'll have plenty of pictures to come.

 

[Grumpa]

Well done, as always. :thumbsup:

What is the purpose in splitting the quills?

 

[Crewdawg445]

Thank you sir, essentially by splitting the quills your getting two feathers from one, allowing you to use less. Also, it aids in the look because when you split the feathers they will also take a natural curve, depending on if they are right or left winged feathers. It's a tedious process, but I also do this for my arrow fletchings.

 

[Billnpatti]

Very nicely done. I admit that I am very ignorant in this area but I can recognize quality work even when I don't understand it's application. :thumbsup:

 

[Crewdawg445]

Thank you! Glad I'm able to share with you fellas.