Author Topic: Books on Quill work?  (Read 4531 times)

Don Tripp

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Books on Quill work?
« on: June 04, 2009, 06:03:27 AM »
I really admire the quill work that some of you guys and ladies do. I am getting back into leather craft and I am wondering if there are any books that give instructions in quill work.

Offline Habu

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Re: Books on Quill work?
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2009, 06:39:20 AM »
Don-
the standard forever has been Orchard's "The Technique of Porcupine Quill Decoration Among the Indians of North America."  Better for beginners is Heinbuch's "A Quillwork Companion."  Lyford's "Quill and Beadwork of the Western Sioux" is also worth a look.  I'd say get Heinbuch for technique, Orchard for ideas on what was quilled and how, and then Lyford for pattern ideas.

Offline David Rase

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Re: Books on Quill work?
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2009, 06:52:55 AM »
I picked up a copy of "A Quillwork Companion" for $5.00 a couple of weeks ago and agree with Habu that Heinbuch's book is a good way to go.  I give it 2 thumbs up.
DMR
« Last Edit: June 04, 2009, 06:53:30 AM by David Rase »

Offline Brian

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Re: Books on Quill work?
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2009, 07:05:10 PM »
About a month ago I picked up Heinbuch's "A Quillwork Companion" (softcover), and Whitehead's "Micmac Quillwork" (hardcover).  Both are good books.  I had not heard of the others mentioned but will keep my eyes open for copies as they sound interesting.
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Offline Habu

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Re: Books on Quill work?
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2009, 10:24:33 PM »
My card catalog is a mess as I transition from actual cards to computer records, but I pulled these titles.  Once you get an idea of the techniques, you might want to look at these for ideas how quillwork was used historically.   You should be able to get most of these via inter-library loan; I wouldn't buy them until you are sure you are interested. 

American Indian Design and Decoration
Bo Jou, Neejee!
Crafts of the North American Indians; A Craftsman's Manual
Guide to Indian Quillworking
Indian and Eskimo Artifacts of North America
Mimac Quillwork - Micmac indian techniques of poucupine quill decoration : 1600-1950
North American Indian Ornamental & Ceremonial Artifacts
Ottawa Quillwork on Birchbark
Porcupine Quillwork on Birchbark
Quillwork of the Plains
Sacred Beauty: Quillwork of Plains Women
Where Two Worlds Meet: The Great Lakes Fur Trade

If I ever get my computer situation straightened out, I've got a short bibliography of magazine articles and research papers I'll post as well. 

Offline Brian

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Re: Books on Quill work?
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2009, 03:38:08 AM »
Cool!  Thanks Habu.  I am a self admited book freak, so this gives me something to go looking for.  Most of mine are firearms orientated, but the wife wants to get into quill work - so these will interest her.
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Don Tripp

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Re: Books on Quill work?
« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2009, 03:36:55 AM »
Thanks for all the good suggestions. I'm a bibliophile too but I had never come across any books on the subject.

Offline Chuck Burrows

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Re: Books on Quill work?
« Reply #7 on: June 06, 2009, 10:47:13 AM »
Habu has listed all the ones I can think of off hand, except I would also look up books on the individual tribes you might be interested in...here are some hopefully helpful notes......

1) 18th Century Eastern and 19the Century Western quillwork are quite different in style and somewhat in technique and the metis did a floral style that is distinctly their own

2) I like to use silk sewing thread as it's the strongest thread for it's size - there are several on line sources

3) Braintan is the traditional material to quill on, but is generally quite expensive - an excellent alternative is the German Tan hides from Crazy Crow for about half the cost of GOOD braintan (good braintan is wonderful stuff, but bad braintan is terrible). These are made using the old, traditional cod liver method of tanning and are quite close in texture, etc to braintan. Also keep your scraps - a lot of the western quill and beadwork I've examined first hand was done on patched together pieces.........

4) I like to pre-stretch the hides or pieces of hides first - this helps keep the piece from stretching out of shape as you quill.

5) When just starting out, IMO it's not a bad idea to start with pre-dyed quills which you will still have to sort, learn/practice the techniques, and then learn how to dye your own using natural/local materials

6) Online resources to see original quillwork in full color and have zoom for details include:
www.bbhc.org - check out the Plains Indian Museum as well as the firearms one....
www.splendidheritage.com
http://anthro.amnh.org/anthropology/databases/north_public/north_public.htm

there are also several Canadian sites which have examples of quillwork for viewing......

and poked fingers are par for the course!  ;)  ;D  ;)
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Offline T.C.Albert

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Re: Books on Quill work?
« Reply #8 on: June 06, 2009, 11:39:37 PM »
If this web site is already referenced, I aplogize, but Native Tech has a fairly decent on line primer as well.
http://www.nativetech.org/quill/index.php
TCA
« Last Edit: June 06, 2009, 11:41:14 PM by T.C.Albert »
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Re: Books on Quill work?
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2009, 01:27:27 AM »