Thursday, October 18, 2012

How to make fairy wings

Do you need wings to complete a fairy, butterfly, or any other girlie girl costume?
Below you will find steps to creating your very own, using items that you may already have laying around the house.

What you will need:

*4 wire hangers
*2 pairs of panty hose or tights any color (adult size)
*any kind of sturdy string 1 ft. ( I used hemp)
*2 pieces bubble wrap approx. 3 inches x 4 inches
*2 pieces of cotton stuffing approx. 3 inches x 4 inches (I used stuffing from an old pillow)
*Tape / packaging tape
*2 pieces of fabric approx. 3 1/2"inches x 4 1/2" inches
*Acrylic paint / acrylic glitter paint
*2 pieces of 1 inch thick elastic. approx. 1 1/2 ft. each.

Tools:
*2 Pliers / round nose pliers (one to hold the wire, and the other to straighten )
*Needle and string


1. Straighten each of the four wire hangers. It doesn't have to be perfect.
2. Curve each of the wire to your desired shape leaving an 1 1/2 inch on the end to twist together to
    hold into place. Repeat until you have all 4.
3. Cut off the legs of the panty hose so that you have 4 separate pieces.
4. Cover each wire starting at the top bent portion. Tie a knot at the end. Repeat for all 4.
5. Cut off excess fabric leaving about an inch so that the knot stays in place.
6. Tie the 4 separate wings together with a sturdy string. I used hemp, but any kind of string will do.


7. Cover the knotted area with bubble wrap. Each side.
8. Add the cotton on top to each side to reinforce. I used an old pillow stuffing, but stuffing from an 
    old stuffed animal will work fine too. (you may be able to skip this step if the bubble wrap was
    enough to protect the area).
9. Tape it down. One piece horizontally and another vertically.


10. Cover each side with the fabric. Pin in place.
11. Sew from front to back all around. Make sure you go through the wing to the other side of the
      fabric.


12. This is the fun part! Use a small brush and apply designs with the acrylic paint. I used acrylic
       glitter paint by Martha Stewart available in most larger craft stores. You don't have to do this,
       but I painted the edges too so that each wing would stand out.


13. Now for the straps. I covered my elastic bands in fabric, but this is not necessary. The length
       I listed is approximate, you may need a shorter or longer piece, depending on each individual.
       Leave approx. 1/2 inch to sew down onto the padding.


14. Cover each area with the felt square and sew all around. This step is not necessary.
      This is purely for aesthetics....so it looks nice even on the inside.


Voila! You got yourself some wings! Enjoy crafting!