Feather Hair Piece

Mardi Gras time is here! There is still time before Fat Tuesday, 3/8, to enjoy carnival Big Easy style.

In this tutorial I will demonstrate how to make a feather head piece for just around five dollars.  I have seen similar items sell for $25 or more depending on the type of feathers and embellishment.  Being Mardi Gras I chose Purple: Justice, Green: Faith, Gold: Power.  This same technique maybe used with different feathers and a smaller profile depending on the look your are trying to achieve.

Materials
Feathers (a bag for a $2 at a craft store)
Felt (50 cents)
A Thin Head Band (dollar store)
Hot Glue (had it on hand)
Jewels or other embellishments (half off bin, these were $1 for a sheet)

1.  Fold the felt in half and cut the felt into the shape you want the feathers to follow.  I chose a tear drop.  Set one of the felt pieces aside for now.

2. Hot glue the feathers onto one of the pieces of felt.

3. To create your own embellishment glue rhinestones onto felt, cut out and glue to the base of the feathers.  You can also choose a jewelery notion from the beading section of the craft store.  I think a fleur-de-lys would be perfect for Mardi Gras.

4. Glue the back of the felt to the head band then glue the second felt shape to the back.  This will sandwich the head band between the two layers of felt and make it very sturdy.

I can see using this technique with peacock or pheasant feathers depending on the ensemble.  With hats and head pieces making a come back, thank you Kate Middleton, this is a cheap and easy way to make a stylish accessory.

For Mardi Gras, in particular, having feathers on a head band instead of on a mask was very helpful.  This way I could slide the mask up to my forehead, the back of my head and still have the feathers front and center.  This head piece made it through three crazy nights all in one piece!

 
Cedric will be reporting on our trip to New Orleans this weekend so stay tuned.