Fairy 101
They can make themselves visible or invisible and can change their shape and size, but May Day, Midsummer's Eve, and Halloween are good times to see them.
With the magical ecstasy and ethereal quality they possess, it is understandable why so many people are fascinated with these mythical beings. Fairy costumes are a rage for birthday parties, spring, Halloween, and theme-parties.
Whether you choose to be an angel or a fairy godmother for your next birthday or theme party, you definitely need a good pair of wings to complete your costume. The best part is that the entire costume is so easy to assemble that just about anyone can create it in a few easy steps.
Making Attractive Fairy Wings
Keeping it Simple
One of the easiest and hassle-free techniques of making a fairy wing is to employ old hangers to the task. You do not have to make innumerable trips to the super mart, nor do you have to worry about spending extra time or money on this project. In all its simplicity, fairy wings made from things found around the house can be an interesting activity for the kids as well as adults.
You will need:
✦ 4-8 wire hangers
✦ A couple of white/black stockings or tulle
✦ Pliers
✦ Glitter or sequins
✦ Glue
✦ Ribbons
Making tips:
✦ Use a pair of pliers to straighten out the wire hangers, so as to flatten out the wire. Depending on the desired shape, twist the wire using the pliers.
✦ Do not forget to twist the ends together so that you don't have sharp edges jutting out. Also, leave one end of the wire free so that you can join the other hanger frames together.
✦ Using the first frame as a guide, twist the other hangers to form individual parts of the wing. Twist the free ends of the frames into each other to form one entire body.
✦ Use old tights or stockings to cover the frames, and act as the base material for the wings. You can even use tulle as your base material to make a delicate fairy wing.
✦ Once this is in place, ensure you cut off the excess fabric, and tie up the ends so that they do not come apart.
✦ Accessorize the fairy wings with glitter or sequins, or simply get out your fabric paints and decorate it to suit your mood. Use ribbons to create a belt that will fasten onto either shoulders or your waist to keep the wings in place.
Going Elegant
Detailed fairy wings or angel wings add to the aesthetic appeal of the costume. A little time-consuming affair, but the efforts are sure to pay off once you have assembled your own fairy wings.
You will need:
✦ 12 gauge wire
✦ Organza fabric or lace
✦ Scissors
✦ Elastic
✦ Glitter
✦ Needle nose pliers
✦ Sewing kit
✦ Spray paint
Making tips:
✦ Before you begin, prepare a rough sketch of the design you want. You could even use a cardboard cutout of the design to help you twist the wire into the desired shape.
✦ Ensure you shape the wire on the ground or a flat surface so that it does not bend in unnecessary places. Repeat the process to form the other half of the wing.
✦ Once your frame is ready, coat it with paint to match your lace or organza so that it does not stand out. Sew the fabric onto the frame using delicate stitches using a similar colored thread.
✦ Pull tautly across to avoid the cloth from sagging while sewing it in place. Paint veins across the fabric and fill it with glitter. You can also use beads to adorn the wings.
Going Realistic
Stand out with seemingly real wings adorning your back. The process could be slightly tricky to master, but we can assure you the wings are sure to garner public attention.
You will need:
✦ 16 gauge wire
✦ Fantasy film sheets
✦ Clear adhesive
✦ Pliers
✦ Wire cutters
✦ Fine paintbrush
✦ Scissors
✦ Duct tape
✦ Ribbon or elastic
✦ Wax paper
✦ Candle
Making tips:
✦ Cut the wires in varying shapes, ensuring that you have two sets of each shape. Bend the wires backwards at one end, so as to form a handle.
✦ Construct the pattern while keeping half the strips of wire facing downwards, while the other half facing upwards to face each other.
✦ Use pliers to twist the bends together. Place the frame atop a sheet of fantasy film so as to cover all the wires exactly.
✦ Squeeze a small bead of glue onto wax paper, and drag wires through the glue face down. Wait for 15 seconds before replacing frame on the sheet.
✦ Once the sheet has glued to the frame, trim the sheet about 1-inch away from the sides of the wing, with a scissor.
✦ Hold the wing wire side down, and bring it close to the flame. Glide along the frame till the outside edges seem satisfactory, repeat process with other wing.
✦ Add a coat of clear glue along the frame to strengthen the bond between the film and the frame.
✦ Join the two parts of the wing by twisting the bridges together. Cover with ribbon that can be used to fasten the wings to your back.
Use superglue over the fabric or film to keep the wing from snagging or running easily. You can alternately use glitter glue along the outside edges of the wings to make them look extra special.
