Crafting A Wedding Feather Fan: A Step-By-Step Guide

Feather fans are a beautiful addition to any wedding, adding a touch of glamour and drama. They can be used as a unique alternative to a bridal bouquet or as a decorative accessory for the wedding party. Making your own feather fan is a fun and creative project, allowing you to customise the design to perfectly complement your wedding style and colour scheme. You can choose from a variety of feathers, such as ostrich plumes or peacock feathers, and even add embellishments like rhinestones, ribbons, and beads. With some simple materials and a bit of creativity, you can create stunning feather fans that will be a memorable part of your special day.

Choosing the feathers

The type of feathers you choose for your wedding feather fan will depend on the look you are trying to achieve, as well as the materials you have available. Ostrich plumes or peacock feathers work especially well and can be purchased from most hobby, fabric or craft stores. If you are looking to create a more natural fan, you can collect feathers you've found on nature walks, but be aware that feathers from migratory birds or birds of prey are illegal to possess in some places.

If you are creating a bridal fan, you may want to opt for white or light-coloured feathers, such as ostrich plumes, to create a delicate and elegant look. If you are creating a fan for a bridesmaid or attendant, you could choose feathers that complement the colour of their dress.

For a more dramatic or statement fan, peacock feathers are a good option, as they have eye-catching colours and patterns. You could also mix and match different types of feathers to create a unique and textured look.

When choosing feathers, consider the length and width you will need. For a standard-sized fan, feathers should be at least 4 inches (10 cm) wide and 18 inches (46 cm) long. You may need to trim the feathers to ensure they are all the same length and that they fit the fan staves correctly.

If you are using multiple layers of feathers, you will need to trim each layer to create a graduated effect. The first layer should be the longest, with each subsequent layer trimmed to be about 1/2-inch shorter than the previous one. This will ensure that the feathers are evenly spaced and that the fan can close properly.

Once you have chosen your feathers, you will need to arrange them in a semi-circle on the back of the fan handle, with the fronts facing forward. You can use a single layer of feathers or stack them for a fuller look. Secure the feathers in place with a strong adhesive or glue, especially if using heavier feathers such as ostrich plumes.

If you are using natural feathers, be sure to clean and sanitise them before attaching them to the fan. This will help remove any dirt, mites, or diseases that the feathers may be harbouring.

Preparing the handle

To prepare the handle of your wedding feather fan, you will need to start by cutting an oval or a rectangle with rounded corners, approximately 2 inches wide and 6 inches long, out of a piece of cardboard. This will serve as the base for your fan handle.

If you plan to cover the handle with fabric, apply spray adhesive to one side of the cardboard and attach the fabric, smoothing out any wrinkles or air pockets as you go. Wrap the fabric onto the other side by about a quarter of an inch.

If you prefer to paint the handle, you can do so later in the process, after you have attached the feathers and the glue has dried.

For a more decorative handle, you can also add rhinestones or other embellishments to the cardboard before covering it with fabric or paint. Clean any specific indentations or areas you plan to place the stones with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Apply a small amount of glue to the back of each rhinestone and place them on the cleaned areas, gently pressing down to secure them in place.

Once you have prepared the handle to your liking, you can move on to the next step of attaching the feathers.

Attaching the feathers

Before you attach the feathers, ensure that they are all equal in length to each stave, and that the quill portion of each feather can extend all the way down the bottom set of double holes on the stave. If the quill is too long, trim it with heavy scissors until it reaches an appropriate length. The feathers should be at least 4 inches (10 cm) wide and 18 inches (46 cm) long.

Now, hold one stave together with one feather. The quill of the feather should be positioned on the back (undecorated) side of the stave. The feather should curl downward when held with the stave on top. Make sure that the feather plume hangs down over the squared end of the stave. The stave end marked by a single hole should fall below the quill of the feather and in the opposite direction of the feather plume.

To attach the feather, locate the lowest set of double holes in the stave. Insert a small cable tie through one of these holes from the back, then loop it all the way around both the stave and the feather. Ideally, the colour of the cable tie should match the colour of the stave. Some staves have more than two sets of double holes. If the quill of the feather does not extend down to the lowest set of double holes, you can thread the cable tie through a higher set. Make sure that you can use at least two separate sets of double holes per feather and stave, however. Close the cable tie over the feather side, ensuring that it is as tight as possible so that the feather does not slip out. You can also use thin wire or v-shaped wires instead of cable ties, if desired. Use pliers to twist the wires closed at the feather side of the stave.

Secure the feather with a second cable tie, looping it around the feather and stave inside the top set of double holes. Again, close the cable tie as tightly as possible over the feather side of the stave. Repeat this process with the remaining staves and feathers. When finished, you should have 12 identical feathered staves. Use heavy scissors or side cutters to trim the end of each cable tie.

Embellishing the fan

Choose your decorations

First, decide on the type of embellishments you want to use. You can use beads, brooches, ribbons, old jewellery, or other items that you think will add a special touch to your wedding feather fan. If you want to add some sparkle, rhinestone gems are a great option. You can also use a large piece of brooch or costume jewellery as a focal point. Feathers themselves can also be an embellishment—ostrich plumes and peacock feathers are especially eye-catching.

Prepare your fan

Before you start gluing, clean the areas where you plan to place the stones with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. This will remove any debris that might interfere with the glue. If you're using rhinestones, apply a small amount of glue to the back of each stone with a toothpick, holding them with tweezers to avoid getting glue on your skin. Then, gently press the stones onto the fan, following any specific inlay holes or creating your own pattern. Let the glue dry completely before moving on.

Attach your feathers

When embellishing with feathers, it's important to use craft feathers from a hobby or craft store, rather than feathers found in nature, as these can harbour mites and diseases. Arrange the feathers on the back of the fan handle, placing them in a semi-circle around the edge. You can use a single layer or stack them for a fuller look. Start with taller feathers, like ostrich plumes, and glue them in place with a permanent adhesive or a hot glue gun. Add a heavy layer of glue to ensure the feathers stay in place.

Create layers

For a more dimensional look, add layers of feathers. Trim the second layer of feathers to be about 1/2 inch shorter than the first row, and arrange them across the first layer, gluing them into place. Continue with additional layers, trimming each layer slightly shorter than the last. You can also alternate the feathers from side to side to keep them evenly spaced.

Final touches

Once all the glue has dried, you can add any final touches to your fan. If you haven't already, paint or cover the fan handle with fabric. You can also add ribbons, beads, or other embellishments to make your fan truly unique. Don't forget to add extra glue wherever needed to ensure everything is secure.

Final checks

Once you have assembled your wedding feather fan, there are a few final checks to ensure that it is secure and ready to be used or displayed.

Firstly, check that all the glue is dry. If you have used glue to attach rhinestones, feathers, or any other embellishments, make sure that they are firmly in place and that the glue is no longer wet. You can gently touch the glued areas to see if they are dry, or wait for the recommended drying time specified on your glue packaging. If any areas still feel tacky, allow more time for them to dry completely.

Next, examine the overall construction of the fan. If you have used staves, ensure that they are all securely attached and that the fan can open and close smoothly. Check that the fishing line or nylon thread holding the staves together is not too tight or too loose. It should allow the fan to open and close with ease while still holding its shape.

If you have used cable ties or wire to attach the feathers, make sure that they are tight and secure. Give them a gentle tug to ensure they are not loose, as you don't want your feathers to slip out.

Finally, check for any loose threads, stray feathers, or uneven edges. Trim any loose threads and carefully cut any uneven feather edges with scissors. If you have used fabric, ensure that it is smooth and wrinkle-free.

Once you have completed these final checks, your wedding feather fan is ready to be used or displayed. You can now admire your handiwork and enjoy the beauty and elegance of your unique creation.

Frequently asked questions