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quilling
DCHP-3 (Apr 2024)
Spelling variants:quill work, quillwork
1†n. & v.
a rolled, crimped or pleated ribbon, strips of lace, cloth or paper primarily to decorate clothing or small possessions; the process of making such decorations.
Type: 5. Frequency — As shown in Chart 1, quilling appears to have a Commonwealth meaning, making this meaning a Canadianism by virtue of frequency. The term describes a technique for folding or sewing fabrics that were found on women's gowns, particularly throughout the 1600s to 1800s, with a first quotation dating from 1607 in the UK (OED, s.v. 'quilling', def. 1). This meaning is not listed in EDD, suggesting it is not a dialectal word. While Chart 1 displays that the term is in use in South Africa, it is not listed in DSAE. Quilling also refers to a similar technique using paper, (OED, s.v. 'quilling', def. 4, "Originally U.S."). Also known as "quillwork" (OED, s.v. 'quillwork', def. 2 for the sense using porcupine quills.)
The meaning is included in COD-2, s.v. "quilling", def. 1, and described as "a piece of quilled lace edging etc." (see Image 1 for an example of this type of quilling); it is also listed in CCD-2010 and Gage-5. It is not included in FWSCD-82 or ITP Nelson. In US dictionaries, the term appears in W-2, W-3 and Merriam-Webster Unabridged.
The meaning is included in COD-2, s.v. "quilling", def. 1, and described as "a piece of quilled lace edging etc." (see Image 1 for an example of this type of quilling); it is also listed in CCD-2010 and Gage-5. It is not included in FWSCD-82 or ITP Nelson. In US dictionaries, the term appears in W-2, W-3 and Merriam-Webster Unabridged.
Quotations
1896
Another pair was made of the shade of purple so much used now, and finished at the edges with a quilling of green baby ribbon and green bows.
1903
A narrow quilling of white satin ribbon edges each little cape, and long stole ends hang from pendant cord ornaments at the throat.
1909
A feature of the gown is the trimming of narrow satin ribbon to the bo's jollie shade; this ribbon quilling edging the various sections, which suggest an overlapping effect.
1915
Each gore was rounded at the lower edge and finished with a narrow quilling of chiffon matching the taffeta bodice.
1922
Softly draped bodices, full puffy skirts, ending frequently in scallops or points, trimmings of old-time quilling or prim little ruffles and all the endearing details that make for womanly charm.
1994
There was one art, new to me, which I found fascinating. It's called quilling (not quilting). Long, narrow strips of colored paper are rolled, glued and then used to create all kinds of images.
2007
Participants will be making 5 different Christmas cards including iris folding with ribbon, quilling, punch flowers, dry embossing and paper embroidery.
2017
Want to add a little panache to your Valentine's Day cards? Learn how to roll a few quilling shapes --hearts, teardrops and petals, for starters-- to convey your love.
2n. — Indigenous
a decorative technique by some Indigenous peoples in North America, using prepared porcupine quills.
Type: 3. Semantic Change — The term also appears to be a Canadianism as a result of the semantic change it has undergone in Indigenous contexts (see the 1912 quotation). Quilling most often occurs in Métis contexts, though is also found more generally in Canadian Indigenous (and US and other) settings (see Chart 2). As the 2006 and 2018 quotations show, quilling is used to describe a craft that is part of Indigenous traditions (see Image 2).
The Indigenous meaning is not listed in the Canadian dictionaries COD-2, CCD-2010, FWSCD-82, Gage-5 or ITP Nelson; it is also not included in the American W-2, W-3, Merriam-Webster Unabridged or DARE. This meaning is found in OED-3 (s.v. 'quillwork', def. 2) but not in EDD.
The Indigenous meaning is not listed in the Canadian dictionaries COD-2, CCD-2010, FWSCD-82, Gage-5 or ITP Nelson; it is also not included in the American W-2, W-3, Merriam-Webster Unabridged or DARE. This meaning is found in OED-3 (s.v. 'quillwork', def. 2) but not in EDD.
Quotations
1912
INDIANS WAR DRESS [...] Each of the locks forming this fringe was usually sewed in a heading of skin, frequently ornamented with quill work.
1927
The jacket is moose skin tanned white by natives: the buttons and pockets are of caribou skin, tanned white. The ornaments consist of native porcupine quill work, the weaving of which is now practically an extinct art.
1963
Quillwork among the Indian tribes of the Northwest as practised by the women embodied features of religious significance of a restrictive nature. Only a few women had the right to do this work and it was they who gave permission for others to be initiated into the religious pattern. The symbolisms, while varying between tribes, included specific prayers, face and hand painting and the wearing of specific ornaments, such as necklaces, while quilling. Quill work was done in return for gifts and the finished product could not be sold. Designs could be used only by the owner unless they were given away.
1987
Morning workshops in quillwork, beading and bannok making were arranged for younger students, while older students attended workshops on story telling, alcohol awareness and other subjects.
2006
Quillwork is now a rare artform, but some Indigenous elders and artists are trying to preserve it through community-led education about quilling.
2018
Johnston enjoys painting and traditional crafts, such as beading and quilling, the art of inserting porcupine quills into birch bark to create patterns.
2021
"I've found my identity through quilling. I was not connected to my culture — to really anything — until I started to quill," she said.
2024
Plucking quills is difficult and tedious work. Hides must be soaked for a long time before the quills are soft enough to pluck off. Quills vary in length from half an inch to four inches. The quills on the back and tail are harder, fatter and stiffer. Generally, the quills on the animal's sides work best for quilling because they are the thinnest and longest.
References
- OED-3
- The Canadian Encyclopedia • Quillwork
- COD-2
- EDD
- W-2
- FWSCD-82
- ITP Nelson
- DSAE
- Merriam-Webster Unabridged
- DARE
- CCD-2010
- Gage-5
- W-3
Images
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 29 April 2024
Chart 2: Internet Domain Search, 3 May 2024
Image 1: 1861-1862 evening gown by unknown American craftsperson. Photo: Pinterest
