To wrap a quill of a feather has to always go back to what colour is used and the significance thereof. Red, Black, Yellow, White, Blue and sometimes Green
Most all feathers are wrapped with the colour Red.
1) Red represents several things such as:
Red is the colour of “Warrior status” physically and spiritually (one who has proven themselves in battle). Cutting a notch cut into the top of the feather itself among some Nations/Tribes is done to give honorable recognition also.
Also Red represents the Blood of the people.. Past, Present and Future
2) Black represents: The Future, the unknown path in which we have not travelled yet or can not see clearly yet.
3) Yellow represents: Our giving Honour and Respect and Worship to the Creator of All, The Great Mystery, I am, Yo-Wa, Great Spirit, Heavenly Spirit, .. However one may perceive Him or call Him by name.
4) White represents: The truth and purity of one’s heart/soul that stands before all of mankind and the universe.
5) BLUE represents: The Creator Himself
6) Green represents: Mother Earth Herself
Now equipped with this basic knowledge, choose your colours. Most Quills are varied in sizes depending on the bird used and which body feather you use.. flight feather, tail feather, or general body feathers.
NOTE: A word of advice at this point.. unless you are a Federal Nation/Tribal recognized Indigenous Native, only use imitation feathers not real Eagle or even real turkey feathers. And never hang one from a hat or car mirror; it is a show of disrespect among most of the peoples.
NOTE: The Quill we refer to wrapping is the section of feather ending in a point, or the base of the feather to the tip.
THINGS NEEDED TO WRAP A QUILL FEATHER:
SINEW STRING OR) LEATHER STRING (doubled the length of the quill itself) just to make sure there will be enough..
COLORED BROAD CLOTH
(OPTIONAL) Glue
NOTE: Before people scream and holler “It is not traditional!” yes it was.. our people used glue even back then.. Made out of buffalo and or horse even goat hoofs. Also flour based, and tree saps of all kinds...
Broad Cloth is usually the choice to use; felt can be used but not the best choice. Both can be bought at a cloth or hobby craft store.
Make sure the width is enough to cover your quill folded completely around the quill itself.
Cut the cloth the full length of the quill with about 1 inch extra (2 ½ cm) added to the length for your loop at the end.
Tuck the extra inch just up at the end of the quill before wrapping the cloth around it, leaving the loop big enough to be able to put a piece of string through it to hang it.
You might even consider putting a drop of glue on the loop to hold it in place and then proceed to completely wrap the cloth from underneath the end of the fluff to the very end point of the quill itself.
Also it is an option to glue the wrap in place before the lacing with sinew or leather string.
Now, begin your criss-cross lacing of the sinew/string right at the top of your cloth.
Fold your string in half to make it even on both sides
With the feather turned facing you, place the string on the exact middle in the middle of the cloth under the fluff. Tie it at the back snugly.
Now bring the string on both sides to the front and criss-cross like a shoe lace front to back and lace it all the way down to the end. Tie it off at the back again in a knot and cut excess off.
There you are!
In modern-times today, there has been used many other variations used, what has been shared in this lesson is the closest to how it was done in the past of the peoples.
ShaunaSay WhiteFeather
