https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/making-quick-fake-feathers • Posted by EstherC
I've been looking for a way to make fake feathers that could be washed for Amtgard, I'm from Northern Lights if you happen to be an Amtgarder and were wondering. I've found sme intresting other ways to make some feathers some are great for items like masks, but not for fighting and not for washing. Here is is my 2-3 min feather.
I've been looking for a way to make fake feathers that could be washed for Amtgard, I'm from Northern Lights if you happen to be an Amtgarder and were wondering. I've found sme intresting other ways to make some feathers some are great for items like masks, but not for fighting and not for washing. Here is is my 2-3 min feather.
Step one find fabric with lines, I don't know that it would matter the direction but it does need to be 2 sided. Someone gave my this fabric so I can not tell you brand or price, but I have seen a few like it around. (this one is black, a little sheer and has a shine all things I think help but are not required for this project)
Step 2, find out if it frays very much. If it does that fabric may not work, it it only frays a little, you may need to take a lighter around the egde of the finished feathers to sort melt then in place, and that may not hold up as well in the wash. I lucked out this fabric doesn't fray. However it is strechy, and that may be hard for some people to work with.
Test the right and wrong sides of the fabric to see if the pattern works together. *if it doesn't it may not matter remember not all feathers are perfectly the same on both sides of the center line anyway.
Cut the fabric at a 45 degree angle as if you were doing bias tape, if you have a cutting matt go for it, (I tend to cut strechy materials by hand.)
Cut the strips to about the width you want each side of your feather. Your basically making bias strips, If your planning to make a ton of feathers you could use the Continuous Bias method. ---Here is a link with a couple of ways to make your own bias tape http://www.quilting-tidbits.com/binding-a-quilt.html all you need to worry about it cutting and linking the strips if you want to make a ton of feahters all at once *This is what I am doing... People doing this see photo in step 6. Every one else skip 6.
Skip this step if your only making 1 feahter at a time... Step 6 If your going to make a ton of feahters all at once by connecting the strips before following the rest of the steps, make sure You do half one way and half the other way or the seam connecting your bias tape will show on the front of the feather.
stack the strips of fabric ontop of each other with the patterns lined up just like they were, So you can just pick up on and put it on top of the one next to it, Or do what I do and pick the ones of the same size as you've got long from the center and short ones from the sides. Your going to press the seams open so leave yourself a little seam allowance. People doing mass production with the bia trick, make sure all the connections are facing out (out is the back)
Press seam open, I'm not one to talk I tend to just hold it open as I go, but if you have a hard time keeping things neat while trying to sew, go ahead spend a min to take out your iorn to press the seam open, it will make it faster and easier. Mass production people... For Ceral press them open, its hard on your hands to make 200 of these holding the center open the whole time I would know I'm a lazy fool who's always skipping that set ;)
I used 1 plastic thread from some sew through boning, I've also tried Pipe cleaners they worked fine so would wire, My goal was for washable as this is a project to be loaned out to people playing a Live action role play game who are gonna get it dirty *and stinky* Just line it up with the cent of your pressed seam, You can pin it down I find that takes a lot more time then just sewing slowly. *You can skip from here if you use Boning tape or some sort of Stiff tape. Again not as washable but if this is a quicky not gonna be washed item got for it. If not 3/4 more steps.
Sew right on over the boning/pipe cleaner/ whatever else you can think of, With a tight Zig zag stich. I recomend white/off white for light colors and black for darker colors, I used red so it would show up better in the photos. *(after you sew you can carfeully trim off the extra seam allowance showing, IF and only if you think it matters.)
First atempt at a feather, finished sewing just need to shape it.
Shape your feather by trimming off bits.
finished shaped, showing how sheer it is... Now is when you should go around the edge with a lighter carefully if your worried it will fray.
Now this is totally optional but I'm showing you anyway, You can cut notches into the feathers to give them some realism. Try not to get carried away and to not make them all the same, and really you only need to do this on the very edge feathers. Also try to follow the pattern, it helps
Here is the Feather shown with the Dragon Egg project I found on here, I'm planning a Quest with a big black feathered dragon with its eggs and I put Tokens in the eggs that people need to collect to win the game.
This is the back, Just thought I should post a photo... If you sew neatly and trim it The front and back should be nearly identical. Good luck on your projects Share lots of photos! I love photos <3