How to Make Costume Feather Wings
Feather wings are a nice addition to any costume, enhancing everything from costumes of birds to angels and butterflies. Buying feather wings can be quite expensive. A good option would be to make your own. This way, you can make it look unique and customizable at the same time.
Things You'll Need
- Chicken wire
- Copper tubing
- 2 feet of elastic or garter
- Batting
- Duct tape
- Fabric glue or glue gun
- Wire cutters
- Pliers
- Feathers
Instructions
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1
Bend the copper wire into the shape of the wings you desire. Use the duct tape and wrap the ends of the wire where they meet. This will be the base of your wings. For butterfly wings, you can shape the wire wider on the top and skinnier on the bottom. For dragonfly wings, you can create a longer, more oval shape. If you're using hangers, cut the hook of the hangers and twist the spiral part until they are separated. Connect the hangers to each other and form the wings you desire. Wrap them in duct tape tightly.
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2
Cut the chicken wire 2 inches wider in width and in length than your wing base. Place the chicken wire on top of the base wire making sure that all of the base wire is covered. Bend the extra edges of the chicken wire onto the base wire until the chicken wire has taken the form of the base wire.
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3
Take the elastic and cut it to the length appropriate for you (from your shoulders to the back part of your armpit). Knot the elastic to the chicken wire to form a loop. Secure the knot by adding hot glue on it.
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4
Wrap the bended edges of the chicken wire including the knots for the arm bands with duct tape. This is to make sure that all the materials for the wings are secured and durable.
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5
Take the batting and cut it into the shape of the wings. Be sure that both front and back of the wings are covered with it. Glue the batting onto the chicken wire. You can use fabric glue or glue gun.
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6
Lay out the feathers of your wings. If the feathers need to be cut for more shaping up, do so. Laying out the feathers before actually sticking them is a great way to make the wings look perfect. You can change or alter your design if you don't like it.
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7
Stick the feathers to the batting using your glue gun. This step might be the stickiest and hardest to do since you have to balance both sides of the wings. For well-balanced wings, add feathers to the wings area by area simultaneously on both sides. To demonstrate, if you have stuck 10 feathers on the upper most part of the right wing, do so in the left, with the same number and arrangement of feathers. Continue the procedure until the wings are covered with feathers.
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Tips & Warnings
Copper tubing will outline your wings, so its length will depend on how large your wings are. An affordable way is to use hangers (preferably coated hangers)
When buying chicken wire, choose the lightest in weight.
Add glitters, sequins or beads to make your wings stand out.
For adjustable arm bands, you can use Velcro or backpack adjustable straps.
Make sure small children don't go near the glue gun and sharp wires.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit baby girl with butterfly wings image by Sergii Shalimov from Fotolia.com
