Paper Feather Tutorial

I first shared this tutorial as part of my "Meet The Alpha Stamp Design Team" post where I promised I would post this separately making it easier to find.  So, here it is but first thing first...

I still have not heard from the winner of the kit I created

Well, it's been a few weeks and I still haven't heard from my winner

Jennifer Pearson Vanier

who said... What great fun! Lovely work

Please see the original announcement post for instructions on contacting me. 

This Friday, if I still haven't heard from you, I will be redrawing.  If you post a comment on this post I will add your name into the original pile (even if that means you will get 2 entries).  I really want to give away this kit!  It is fabulous!

Okay, onto the tutorial

This tutorial is an alteration of one I found on Pinterest. 

Karen B. of Todolwen made some beautiful Hymn Page Feathers and supplied a wonderful tutorial

Here is an image of Karen's feathers

Print out or draw your own feathers. 

Trace the template onto your desired paper and cut the feathers out.
Because my paper was thin, when I went to cut the feathers out I stacked two sheets of paper together and then cut. However if your paper is thicker remember you will need to have a front and back for your feather.

Now it's time to cut some wire.
I used a medium gauge wire but suggest a nice thick one. Cut the wire slightly longer than the feather.

Glue the wire in place and smush the feather pieces together.

Now it's time to really turn it into a feather.
Start cutting downward from the edge towards the wire. I like to make sure the cuts are nice and uneven.

Give your cut feathers a little edge ruffling by running your finger along them and curling the paper in towards the wire.

Karen wrapped her stems with matching paper, I had a really hard time doing that so I decided to wrap my stems in coordinating seam binding. I dipped the wire end into the glue and curled the seam binding around it. Once it was dry I cut off the excess ribbon.

For some reason I distress everything, so the feathers got a quick brushing of tea dye and vintage photo distress inks.

Not so surprising is that I added glitter. I put a small amount on my finger and ran it along the edge of the feather, then sprinkled the glitter on.

And voila, mini feathers!

Thank you Karen for the wonderful tutorial and the inspiration to make them. I hope you like the alterations I made and that they inspire you to make some paper feathers of your very own.