Generous_66

Hey there, I need some ideas on how to create a roach spreader..............

Any ideas on how to assemble a decorative roach spreader?

Should I use hide or another material?, what should I use to put the designs on? Paints etc...

How do I attach the spreader to the roach so it will stay in place? Should it be pinned on, clipped etc......Should it be full lenght of the roach?

Any thoughts on what type of spreader I should use for the eagle feathers?

KEEP ON POW WOW'Ing

msix04

what kind of spreader antenna or feathers?

Generous_66

Feathers....

Generous_66

Can one help? I have a metal spreader currently, but it doesn't extend down the back of the roach... my roach is 18" long...

Nathan11

My roach is 20 inches and the spreader does not go all the way down but you can get it to stay by tying it real tight. One lace is tied around my chin and the other lace goes behind my ears, then under the one around my chin, then pulled back tight and tied behind my neck.

Nathan11

well thats how I was taught by i'm sure there are plenty of other efficient ways to secure your roach and your spreader to your head.

Generous_66

Thanks for the tip, now how do I attach the spreader to the roach on the tail end, do I have to punch a hole through it? How about the spreader, any ideas on what material to use, what about beading it?

Nathan11

yes you can punch a whole through it. Thats what i need to do to my new one.

K_Shimkus

Has anyone ever seen the strapless roach setup? A NOAC instructor once showed me his setup. It consisted of a beaded headband with bead strips going up the forehead and above the ears, like a gustoweh frame or the straps of a hardhat. This crown was tight enough to keep the roach immobile and on the top where the points met he had a nut and bolt setup to attach the roach.

NOAC = National Order of the Arrow Conference

Wakalapi

Does anyone use rawhide for spreader? Seems easy to form as it dries, then just bead buckskin or ??? and sew it over the rawhide as a top layer for looks.

K_Shimkus: I see the headband-style roach securement more and more lately, although the idea has been used for awhile. Some people are getting away from the chinstrap look but might not have long enough hair to tie into a scalplock. Although what I always see is just a tight headband, not a hardhat frame or anything bulky like that.

__________________

"Friends don't let friends drink decaf..."

K_Shimkus

The description is tough, but its not bulky. I'll have to look for a picture.

Nathan11

hey dude i'm in OA too. Its gonna be my first NOAC this year, but i'm exciting for the Grass Dancing competition. I won at Section..What style do you do?

laqsilver

Grass Dancers,

I am an old grassdancer that was a top winner at OA nationals back in the 70s. I also have done a little research on roaches and roach spreaders. This is my opinion is. Check out different sources and pictures of spreaders. I have seen beaded, painted, metal, rawhide, leather, plastic. Myself, I use a 2 socket sometimes and when I feel like floating more, I use my own design for fold down antennae. I have had my spreaders bought plain and beaded as well. All is what you want. There were some old atricles on grassdance head harnesses, I will try to locate for whomever wants to peek at the information. I was told by several roachmakers that the spreader actually was not intended to spread the hair, even though, that is what usually happens. The really good roach makers tye their roaches to specifications. They tye a Grass to look like a grass should when you open it up. Straight dance tyed like a straight should, etc. well this is just my opinion. You can possably check out some spreaders and other items at www.laquays.com

again this is just my humble opinion,

Thanks

JIM

jrlq01@comcast.net

K_Shimkus

Living in Upstate NY my first dance style was also my ceremonies outfit, so I have a contemporary eastern woodlands outfit. Depending on the headdress I can manage any of the six nations, but I tended to use a mohawk three feather gustoweh. (if anyone is in the market for a really nice gustoweh, my brother makes fantastic ones very cheap)

I attended NOAC 2002 and fell for the grass style as simple to construct (yeah, right), cheap (also a misconception), and with more lively steps than the basic steps allowed for eastern style.

In 2003 the OA had a similar event called Indian Summer in North Carolina, which was strictly indian clothing and dancing. No OA organization or ceremonies practices, just dancing and crafts. I spent the entire week with the fantastic grass dancers and thought I'd be dancing at the next NOAC a year later....and after that NOAC and 3 years of laziness I finally finished my outfit this Fourth of July for the Calico Pow Wow in South Glens Falls, NY. I was literally finishing the outfit as the MC called for Grand Opening.

Nathan, have a blast at NOAC. If you're competing, best of luck! I know many of the staff there, everyone is so helpful. What lodge are you from and what classes are you taking?

Nathan11

I dunno which classes yet but i am from Karankawa Lodge.. we have quite a few Grass dancers competing and all of them are pretty good, half of them being in the top ten and 20 last NOAC so good luck Hey what color is your outfit gonna be so i can know who you are if i see you there.

K_Shimkus

Unfortunately I am not attending this NOAC. I've already been asked to be NOAC staff for 2009, and there is a very good chance I will be there, although too old to compete.

Originally a simple project based on a Sioux 8 point star, the outfit really turned out to be my Pendelton blanket reborn as a grass outfit. Another personal touch was from taking the patch off of my troop neckerchief and adding it to my white scarf of this outfit. Here is the only photo I could get to fit on the site that was a good idea of the design.

I'd love some feedback on what everyone thinks, my brother did all of the sewing and ribbon work design, it took 3 shades of blue, just like the Pendelton.


EDIT: Let me know if you choose any classes before NOAC, there is a very good chance I or my brother know the instructor. I was such good friends with the head staff that my buddies and I had front row seats for the final night of both IS and NOAC 2004.

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