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"A Woman who whish to apprentice with the guild, went first to the head woman and made a vow to do a certain type of quillwork. Four types of work might be done by guild members; Quilled tipi linigs, tipis, pillows or robes;all womens articles"



"On the appointed day, the members gathered at the home of the vower, each dressed in her best and with faces paited in a specific manner. The head woman then conducted the vowing ceremony, using specific prayers and medicine bundles. The pattern for the vowed work was marked and four sinew strands must be quilled up at that time."



"Once the work was begun for the day,the woman could not leave her place until noon. All men and children were excluded from seeing or touching the work in progress.Two possible fates mighr befall a man who violated the rules of the guild either by touching the uncompleted work, seeing it, or learning of the ceremonies.He might be gored to death by a bull or he might become deaf. Examples have been related of each of these."



"While she was working, a vower might not have sexual relations, nor could she work on sacred quillwork during menstruation or pregnancy. When the vowed work was finished, it was ceremoniously examined and displayed by the guild and a feast was held. At this time the head woman was paid by the vower.She was given the dishes and cooking utensils fron the feast, as well as an entire new outfit and a horse.Once a vow was made to complete a certain quilled project, it must be completed, and in a reasonable lenght of time, or harm (even death) would come to the vower and the recipient of the vow."



"The quillworking of the Sioux are much less restrictive. Quilling was looked upon as being the highest attainment in the female arts and most young women were expected to learn it from their mothers. Quill designs were considered personal property and not copied, for they were dreamed and only the dreamer could claim ownership. On regular occasions, women met to exibit their work and show how they did it. A feast was held and gifts were presented to those who showed exellence in workmanship. The meeting was called by an old woman, a leader in the craft, and was a holly occasion. A "quilling count" was made by each woman and displayed just as a man displayed his war honors."

"Related by Cathy Smith on the Book of Buckskinning III"





As you know by now, quillwork was traditionally performed by Women, but I thought, wagh!....what the heck!......I'll give it a try anyway, and..... I'm glad I did!



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