Howto:// Feather Headband

Finally, the feather headband howto!  It really is quite simple, the hardest part is finding and grooming the feathers.  This tutorial is mostly on how to knot the wire through the feathers.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 6 or 8 full, black feathers, around 5 or 6 inches after trimming them.  I used these, which unfortunately come in a variety pack, so I ended up having to buy 3 packs (lord knows what I will use the other colors for)
• A sharpie
• Thin, black wire (you can find this with jewelry making supplies)
• Wire Cutters
• A thin black head band
• Necklace chain (also found in jewelry making section)
• A needle (or safety pin)

STEPS:

1.  First and foremost, you have to prepare your feathers!  I chose to use three on each side of the headband, but you may want to use four… whatever floats your boat.  Cut the stems (stems?) to identical lengths, and prune the feathers down so that they are as symmetrical as possible.  Cut the stems diagonally so that some of the white center shows, and then color that white center with a sharpie (you can see what I mean more clearly in picture two).  This is basically to make it easier for the needle to pierce through the feather, so if you think you can push the needle through this isn’t an absolute requirement.

2.  Poke two holes in the “stems” of the feathers (I really should have looked up that word).  Cut your chain necklace into two strands of around 10 inches and throw away (or save) the rest.

3.  Cut a strand of wire about 8 inches (less if you are good with tying tiny knots).  Slip one end of the wire through one of the chain links.

4.  Take each end of the wire that was previously looped through the chain link and, on opposite sides, slip it through the TOP hole you punched in the needle.  There should be two strands of wire going though the top hole.

5.  One side at a time, loop the wire around the feather and then stick it through the BOTTOM hole.  So now there should be two loops around the feather and two pieces of wire stuck through the bottom hole.  From there, tie the wire in a knot (or triple knot in my case) and cut the wire as closely as you can.

6.  Repeat the feather tying process until you have used half of your feathers.  I chose to space my feathers about an inch and a half apart, but you may choose to use more or less space. Once you finish the first strand, do the second strand.

7.  When you have finished tying all of the feathers to both lengths of chain, attached the chain lengths to the tippy tips of your headband.  If you are comfortable with the wire, you can loop it through the chain and around the headband.  Personally, I used industrial craft glue to attach them.  Whatever works for you.

8.  Put it on and say “omg, look how cute I am.”

Hope that wasn’t too confusing! If it was, by all means leave a question and I will answer it .