Quillwork Primer

The history of quillwork is often found in a story. Interestingly enough, this story is told by many different tribes of indigenous nations with subtle differences.

READ THE STORY HERE

[note: this version of the story reportedly came from the Rosebud Reservation]

There is certainly much more to the history of the use of porcupine quills as a decorative medium than folklore.A more academmic look at the hisotry is found HERE. This article, written by Tara Prindle, describes some of the earliest known artifacts to have been decorated with porcupine quill embroidery.

For a lesson in the techniques of porcupine quill emproidery click a link below. Many of these show exellent step-by-step instructions in the techniques.

Parallel Stitch	Zig-Zag Stitch	Multiple Quill Plaiting
Quill Wrapping	Single Strand Plaiting & Wrapping	Edging
Loom Weaving		Quill-wrapping Double Rawhide Slats

Most online quilling tutorials provided by Nancy Fonticello

Also Recommended: online Powerpoint of quillwrapping, created by Thomas McClain

Other Resources We Recommend:

A Quillwork Companion by Jean Heimbuch

Quill and Beadwork of the Western Sioux by Carrie Lyford

Technique of Porcupine-Quill Decoration among the North American Indians by William Orchard, et.al.

Once you learn the basic techniques there are many ways you can apply them. For some ideas on how to use these techniques properly, review the galleries of quilled art at the websites linked below.

While searching the sites and viewing the different pieces shown, make note of the tribal affiliations of the quilled design and technique. When making your own pieces you don't want to mix a Huron quillwork design on a Lakota or Cheyenne style of knifesheath. You should also make yours an original piece and not copy exactly the design and colors of someone else's work.

HISTORY OF QUILLING	LEARN HOW	QUILLWORK GALLERY
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE		RESEARCH