This book starts with the basics of finding and preparing the quills. The author even presents a technique (not recommended) for obtaining quills from live porcupines; she, of course, explores more conventional ways as well. A good explanation of the necessary tools follows with photographs. Her chapter on General Work Instructions and Basic Stitches is designed to help the reader understand the basic steps upon which the more difficult techniques are built. She is liberal with her advice in keeping things simpleand divulges many of the secrets she has discovered over the past eighteen years. With William C. Orchard (Heye Foundation, 1917), as a starting point, she has examined numerous museum pieces in her search for the proper techniques.

The reader is encouraged to master the techniques in the Basic Quilling Techniques Chapter and the book is designed so that each step builds upon the next. Of general interest are the diverse techniques that Native Americans used (use) to create rosettes. The book also includes a fine explanation of the steps used to make brain tanned rawhide and leather, and has a much needed disclosure of how to prepare and use natural dyes on quills. Advanced techniques are explained in text, illustrations and photographs.

This exciting book of ninety-two pages contains 53 black and white photographs, 4 full pages in four color, 39 figures, 2 tables and 115 illustrations. A text that should be of interest to anyone who enjoys traditional arts and crafts, the culture of the American Indian and the early lifestyle of Native Americans. It may well be the new definitive source of this beautiful art form.