How to Make Fairy Wings at Home
Fairy wings are as varied as the children who wear them. Let your child express her creativity and style by making fairy wings at home. They can be used for Halloween, school plays or everyday dress-up time. You can embellish them with favorite colors, flowers, streamers and other details to make a truly unique set of wings. Adjust the shape of the wire frame to create butterfly, angel or cupid wings. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 16-gauge galvanized steel wire, 6- to 9-feet long
- Wire cutters
- Pliers
- Duct tape
- 1 pair queen-size pantyhose in your choice of color
- Safety pins
- Needle and thread to match pantyhose
- Scissors
- Glue
- Paintbrush
- Craft supplies (feathers, glitter, acrylic paints)
Instructions
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1
Shape the wire into a figure 8. Adjust the wings as you work to make sure the wings are equal in size. You need about 6 feet of wire for wings for a child. Start with 9 feet of wire for an adult.
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2
Wrap a 3-inch length of duct tape around the intersect point of the figure 8 to secure the wire.
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3
Trim any wire that is sticking out with wire cutters and wrap sharp ends with duct tape to keep them from poking the wearer in the back.
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4
Cut the pantyhose into three sections: two legs and one panty. Stretch one leg over each side of your wire frame. It should be tight over the frame, but not so tight that it distorts the wing's shape. Use safety pins to hold the pantyhose legs in place at the base of the wings while you work.
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5
Bend the wire to achieve the look you want. You may need to pull the pantyhose a bit as you work to keep them taut over the wire frame. Remove the safety pins, and sew the pantyhose in place at the base of the wings to prevent the pantyhose from slipping off. Trim any excess pantyhose.
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6
Decorate your wings using markers or acrylic paints. Apply glue with a small paintbrush along the wings' edges and outline the wings with glitter or feathers. Embellish the wings with your choice of lace, beads, silk flowers or other craft supplies.
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7
Cut out the crotch area of the panty to create a halter top with a neck hole. You may need to enlarge the hole to pull over bigger heads.
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8
Attach the wings to the halter top using needle and thread. Alternatively, you may do away with the halter top and sew an elastic loop on each shoulder that will slip over the wearer's shoulders.
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Tips & Warnings
Use iridescent or sheer pantyhose in pastel colors for airy wings. Choose opaque black or gray pantyhose for a gothic look.
Look through butterfly field guides for interesting wing shapes and patterns to use on your fairy wings.
Do not use support pantyhose. They do not stretch adequately to cover the wire frame.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
