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How to Make Moving Feather Wings

Humans were interested in flight long before we ever figured out how to make such a feat possible. One of the earlier designs goes back as far as Leonardo da Vinci, who designed a flying machine that might allow a man to pedaled in a pulley system while manipulating a set of wings. Today, the accomplishments of engineering make flying more a matter of machines, and though moving feather wings are more symbol than possibility for flight, they make an interesting craft and decorative project. Adding multiple shapes and sizes of feathers further enhances the costume effect of wearable feather wings.

Things You'll Need

Scissors
Cardboard
Super Glue
Tailor's tape measure
Elastic strip
Feathers

Instructions

- 1
  Cut your cardboard into two identical shapes for the individual wings.The size will depend on the purpose of the wings and the size of the wearer. Draw one shape directly onto the cardboard and cut. Place the cut shape back onto the cardboard, trace the shape and cut the second wing out.
- 2
  Cut three squares of the cardboard. The square should be 4 inches by 4 inches for a small wearer and 6 inches by 6 inches for a larger built wearer.. This piece is what will rest directly on the back of the wearer.
- 3
  Apply a line of Super Glue or other strong adhesive along all outer edges of one of the cardboard squares. Press an unglued square completely over the first square and allow to dry. Repeat with the final square until they are all glued together in a stack.
- 4
  Measure the length from the tip of your shoulder blade -- closest to your spine -- to the tip of your shoulder. Double this length, and cut two strips of elastic to the doubled length.
- 5
  Make a loop out of the elastic strip and glue it to the right edge of the cardboard square. Repeat with the second strip of elastic on the left edge of the cardboard. These are the straps used to wear the wings.
- 6
  Lay both wings on a horizontal surface in the position they will be worn -- the thinnest part of the wing should be on the inside. One inch from the inside edge, fold a crease into the cardboard. Apply a thick layer of glue to the area inside of the crease line on the back of the cardboard wing. Press the glued area of the wing to the base and allow to dry. Repeat with the opposite wing. When dry, the crease will form the hinge that the wings will move on while the glued area inside the crease secures the moving wings to the base.
- 7
  Apply a thin line of glue along the shaft of each feather and attach to the exterior of the cardboard wing. Glue larger feathers first along the outer edges of the wings. Slightly overlap each row of feathers, working from the outside in. Smaller and fluffier feathers should be placed toward the inside and top of the wing.

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