Porcupine quills

[Digital Caveman]

What can you use porcupine quills for?  I saw a big black bird take off from the ground and you can guess the rest.

[Outbackbob48]

Tradcraftsman, check out quill work an art form, that preceded bead work, I have tried a little this winter and it is a very hard skill to master, I can't even imagine the time and skill that it took to make a pc with a bone awl and sinew vs. modern steel needles and super fine thread, no wonder it almost died out with the coming of the Europeans and glass beads. Bob

[Pat B]

I tried quillwork a few years ago but couldn't master the skill either. James Parker's wife Becca does beautiful quillwork.

[Digital Caveman]

So, I thought I could go back and get it this morning, but it turns out some kind of critter is willing to drag off a pile of quills to scavenge a few mouthfuls of meat.  We have coyotes, fox and maybe others.  I can't imagine it went far, could it?

[Pat B]

I believe the quills are only along the back and the top of the tail. The under belly would be safe to go after for a not too sharp meal.

[Digital Caveman]

It travelled about 100 ft I walked right past it.  Fleshing the skin looks tricky.

[Hawkdancer]

Roll it in a piece of burlap sack to collect the quills - it is a lot easier and safer.  Wear thick leather gloves and work from front to back, carefully.  Once the hide is off and stretched, it should be easier to flesh.  Learned this from a "quill lady"!
Hawkdancer