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Permalink Reply by Isobel Robinson March 5, 2019 at 5:43am

I've not painted quills but use the acid dyes which require them to be put in hot water. For this method I dye first, then curl, as the hot water causes them to loose their shape (same as washing hair that has been straightened). I think if you are painting however, I would paint afterwards to avoid scraping the paint coat off when you use the curlers/tongs.

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Permalink Reply by Marion Lowe March 5, 2019 at 7:51am

Thank you Isobel. This is confirming whaþ I thought.  Have soaked my quill andcurled roundmy rolling pin. Let it dry, and I have a very pleasing result. Now to paint or spray it.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer shaw April 3, 2019 at 11:23pm

I use a spray paint/dye that florists use on their flowers. Its called Oasis., its brilliant on feathers & flowers and comes in an amazing range of colours.

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Permalink Reply by Marion Lowe April 4, 2019 at 1:57am

Thank you Jennifer. I use Oasis spray too but in the example above I knew there wasn't a spray dye the right colour and also couldn't wait to order a whole can, just for 1 quill.  I solved it by finding a small acrylic paint £1.75 and then using clear nail varnish on the top to fasten in the colour!  I did this after the quill was curled.  Final picture attached.  I don't have any big shopping places near me and did not want to use mail order without actually seeing the colour.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Herbert April 21, 2019 at 6:11am

Hi Marion, just want to confirm that you use hot water first and place the quill in it before curling? and you use a rolling pin? just wanting clarification on how you curled the quill and it stayed the way it looks. looks amazing. 

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