How do you make Wings (angel wings) for costumes?

Question

How do you make wings and where to get material for creating wings like angel wings and fairy wings for costumes?

Answer 1

First you need a template for the frame, to make the shape. Here's an example
http://sewing.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://members.aol.com/pumpkinave/costumes/angel.htm
Then you can choose to make it solid, out of cardboard and spray with articial snow or glue feathers, cotton wool, angel hair or lace on it for the solid look.
Another way is to use the template to make a frame out of coat hangers or wire, and stretch gauze, lace, tulle or netting (even hosiery) over the shape and embellish with sequins, beads, feathers or spray adhesive and glitter.
There are more templates at
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/coloring.html
http://sewing.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://members.aol.com/pumpkinave/costumes/angel.htm
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/makingangels/Angel_Craft_Projects.htm?terms=angel+template
which can be enlarged by using a free trial software version of PC Stitch
http://crossstitch.about.com/od/computersoftware/Computer_Software.htm
to make your own patterns.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

First off, you will need the following: Hot glue gun Lots of hot glue sticks Two large poster boards (the kind that makes that cool thunder sound and never can stay up on its own), preferably in the color of the desired wings About 5 bags of two types of feathers - medium and small (the medium look like normal feathers you would see from a bird - about the size of your hand and small feathers would look like the ones in your pillow - the size of your pinky) Elastic - again in the color of your desired wings To begin, you'll need to sketch onto one poster board how you want your wings shaped. Do you want them stretched out? Folded? It's your call - just make it very organic looking and not too complicated. You'll be tracing this design onto the other poster board and cutting both out. Here comes the most time consuming part: Applying the feathers. Taking the plastic part of every feather, apply a large dot about the size of a large pea onto the poster board and press the feather firmly onto the poster, holding for several seconds. Test to see if the feather is on good and tight - these wings will be taking abuse when worn and need to be down firmly. If you suspect you have a couple loose feathers, apply another couple beads to the tip and all around to make sure it stays down. The medium feathers will mostly cover the middle and bottom, while the small feathers will go on the top to make them appear much like a bird’s (or angel’s) wing. Apply the feathers to both sides, layering for a real effect, shaking the poster occasionally to have any loose feathers come off and reapply those. The small feathers are great for covering up any bald spots on the wings. eek To connect, take a long scrap of poster board and cut it out - about a 12 inches will do or whatever it takes for the wings to look decent on your back. At around the 4 inch mark, fold and with the side facing you, apply A LOT of hot glue and put it far enough into the wings that it’ll support. Repeat to the other wing. Seriously folks - this was the part for me that was the hardest to manage because it kept breaking. gonk Let this sit for awhile and keep testing those wings for loose feathers and now a loose connecting band between the two wings. Taking your elastic, find the most comfortable length but still tight enough and again, scream USE A LOT OF HOT GLUE scream and doing what you can to make sure that baby stays put. Let sit for awhile and shake - keep fixing those bald spots and be careful when putting your wings on. Just like real wings, these babies are fragile and need tender loving care. You can never be to careful.

Answer 4

If you find the instructions given by other answerer's, a bit hard to do, I have a suggestion. Most Party City stores have left out their Halloween costume wings out for sale. I just saw some beautiful feathered ones there. They were in plastic bags, so they are quite fresh looking. You should also check out this site. You may find what you need to make them. http://familycrafts.about.com.

Answer 5

Walmart has wire in heavy gauges for shaping the wings in the hardware department. In the sewing department you can get tulle (bridal net) elastic (white) and needle and thread, glitter in glue and shake form aor the spray glitter.
Shape the wings (2) and drape the tulle over it pull taut to the center and stitch in place with a few stitches. Add a loop of elastic for each shoulder and you have wings.
glitter if desired

Answer 6

Use hangers to make the wings just straighten them out a little and attach some suspenders to keep them on. Then take the wire and then wrap them with some guaze. Or take some other material and stretch it over itl