How to Make a Feather Headband

comments (10) October 27th, 2008

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Jennifer Worick, contributor

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A few feathers can create a stunning hair accessory.

Gather any and all feathers you find during your travels.

You only need a few supplies to create a customized feather headband.

A few feathers can create a stunning hair accessory.

Photo: Jennifer Worick

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Some Project Runway judges thought Kenley’s garments looked like other designers’ clothes. Well, I make no bones about it. I’ve been enchanted with her feather headbands and have been seeing them in boutiques and department stores for $40 and up. I figured I could whip up my own, decidedly blue-collar version using turkey and pheasant feathers my mom has been collecting for me.

Gather any and all feathers you find during your travels.

What you’ll need:

Scissors
Small piece of sturdy fabric (I used black denim)
Fusible interfacing
Variety of feathers
Hot-glue gun
Vintage button
Skinny headband (I used a faux-leather one from Goody)

You only need a few supplies to create a customized feather headband.

Step 1: With a sharp pair of scissors, cut your fabric and interfacing in a circle with a 3-inch diameter. I used the bottom of a drinking glass to trace the circle on the fabric. Following the fusible interfacing’s directions, iron the fusing to your fabric with the appropriate heat setting.

Iron your fusible interfacing to your circle of fabric.

Step 2: Now plan out your headdress. Cut and layer feathers around the circular piece. When you have it arranged to your satisfaction (I laid out bigger feathers on the bottom and layered smaller, more delicate flowers on top), get out the glue gun. Add a healthy dollop of glue to the backs of the feathers and affix to the fabric (the fusing should be face down), starting with the bottom layer and working your way to the top. I used a spiral design so the quills all ended up in the middle of the circle. To cover all the quills, select a vintage button, add hot glue to its back, and press firmly into the center of the headdress.

Glue larger pieces to the fabric one at a time, layering in a spiral pattern.

Use a hot glue gun to affix each feather to the hair accessory.

Step 3: When all the glue has cooled and hardened, it’s time to glue your feather piece to the headband. Try on your headband and position the feather piece where you’d like it to fall by holding it up with your hand. Now draw a line of hot glue down the back of your feather piece (on the interfacing) and press it to your headband, holding it until it cools completely (the flat feather piece needs to be held down on the curving band while it cools).

A button will hide all the quills.

Glue a skinny headband onto the back of the feather piece, holding the pieces together until the glue cools.

Step 4: Try on and enjoy! If it seems a bit out of control, you can trim down the edges with small scissors, but part of the beauty of this headband is the spiky feather effect.

In the future, you can find me at my website or blogs, Things I Want to Punch in the Face and Prairie Tales. My new book, Backcountry Betty: Crafting with Style, is in stores now.

Sorry for yet another photo of myself, but there wasn't another model around. The headband does not work on my cat.

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Feather headband
inaferina

posted in: tutorial, hair accessory, headband, feather

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Comments (10)

Headband writes: More fashion Feather Headband,visit this website
www.hairwearfactory.com
Posted: 5:15 am on December 9th

melissascriv writes: feather dusters are a great source for feathers i got one at the goodwill for 3$
Posted: 9:22 pm on August 25th

sigridsoto writes: I sell my creation to boutiques in west Hollywood and i have seen this hair pieces rang in the hundreds and your creation look just like the ones in the boutiques
Posted: 6:42 am on January 7th

Jen_W writes: Yay! So glad y'all are having fun with this!
Posted: 12:26 am on December 28th

inaferina writes: I made one and posted the photos/how to in the gallery http://www.craftstylish.com/item/36162/feather-headband - it was easy and fun. The hardest part was keeping my kitty away form the feathers! :)
Posted: 5:40 pm on December 27th

Anasofia writes: IM DOING ONE RIGHT NOW
Posted: 4:41 pm on December 7th

Jen_W writes: Mine were all collected by my mom and friend in the woods of Michigan. You might try looking online. Sorry I can't be of more help!
Posted: 11:31 pm on November 30th

hune29 writes: Im trying to make a feathered headband but am having trouble finding nice feathers. Ive been to a few different michaels. Would you be able to lend some insight on where i can find some good ones. Thanks!
Posted: 5:06 pm on November 30th

Jrsjewels writes: Very nice!
Posted: 7:52 am on November 2nd