Thread: Attaching feathers to staves

ok I've checked the threads and couldnt find anything so I thought I'd ask. I've decided its time to renovate my black feather fans and have just taken all the feathers off the acrylic staves. They were being held on with some quite brittle wire which used to catch on me when I used them. My plan is now to make them a double layer so I was wondering if it was better to use a finer wire or thread/nylon thread?

Thanks in advance

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I've just re-done mine with a glue gun, haven't used them yet tho so couldn't comment on reliability but they seem ok so far!

Hope that helps? x

thanks Lola, I may just give that a go

i fixed mine with uhu craft glue and they have held up so far. A glue gun should do the job much better though! xx

In order to attach feather's to acrylic staves I used gardening wire (the green stuff) I stripped the green from the wire, and used the wire to attach the feathers at the top and bottom of the staves.

The staves should already have drilled holes for this purpose and can be used to hold 2 feathers on each stave for double layers.

The ends of the wire can then be twisted closed to hold the feathers tight and cut and bent to ensure there are no sharp bits.

It's a bit of a long winded way of doing things but it works and the wire can be cut to remove the feathers without damaging them if you get bored and fancy a change.

Removing the green from the wire requires proficient use of wire cutters, thankfully the stuff comes in a huge roll so plenty to practice with or if you can find some thin (about 1mm) soft wire to use instead (I had the green stuff lying around at home).

You could try using ordinary sewing thread. I used that on my stained glass fans and I've found it to be much more stable than wire, as well as safer and easier to use. Admittedly that's a different process as my stained glass panels have holes in them which correspond to the holes in the staves and so I was literally sewing through them, not around them as you would with feathers. With feathers though, since the spines are round, you really want something like wire which will cut slightly into the spine so as to keep it stable. If you used something smooth like nylon thread the feathers might slip and slide around on the stave due to lack of friction. I would try using strong sewing thread, wrapping it around several times and pulling it quite tight so as to keep the feather in place. If it doesn't work, at least it's nice and easy to remove and start again with something different

Thank you all for taking the time to reply, its been very helpful I've got the feathers for my 2nd layer now so am going to sit and give this some thought - while pondering rhinestoning them too

I use small cable ties - they're super strong, and really easy to use. Plus they come in a few colours, or you can dye the white ones to (almost) match your feathers

Here's a link to a UK supplier:
cable ties - Standard Cable Ties

Cable ties? That is a really good idea!
I recently invested in a glue gun and I LOVE IT. The trouble is once they are on they are on... so mistakes are not easily fixed and I don't think I could change my mind and remake my fans.
It definitely gets easier with practice too.

Originally Posted by PonieRyder

I use small cable ties - they're super strong, and really easy to use. Plus they come in a few colours, or you can dye the white ones to (almost) match your feathers

Here's a link to a UK supplier:
cable ties - Standard Cable Ties

thanks for the tip! I ended up using some fine wire and wiring both layers on but am looking to make another set so will try this method