Dollieh Sanctuary

A number of you know I've been trying to make doll sized feather wings. I prefer to stick with feathers as my own interests lead me to trying to make them myself. What I've been having problems with is finding the most cost effective, and yet quality building method. I ended up putting my etsy shop on vacation because I felt what I was already making wasn't up to standard. I hate the idea of making something that falls apart on the buyer because I didn't pay enough attention to the construction. I also don't like the idea of the whole gimick my shop relies on is that they are "feather wings", not being made with feathers.

Obivously, having to replenish my feather supply can put an unneeded dent into our finances, so we've shopped for ideas on how to cut down on the feathers yet still make feather wings. Then we found this at JoAnn's:


If I can cut it right, I shouldn't have to buy craft boa anymore to serve as the fluff feathers usually seen at the top of depicted angel wings. Then I should be able to only have to buy cheap bulk of saddle hack and the standard craft feathers. This is mostly inspired after seeing a picture of a gigantic SOOM doll with these massive wings that looked like they were half made of fur.

So, I'm looking for help from my fellow crafty crafters (lol) for idea's on how to best make this work. I already use wires to make a 'skeleton' frame. As 'skin' I use fabric that matches the wing color (white, black), it serves as my base to glue the feathers on. I did manage a harness that doesn't become intrusive to clothing, as well. Which brings me to another thing.

Elastic. Is. Annoying. To. Sew. There has got to be a more stable way to fasten elastic to itself to make strechy loops.

>_> you could make wings that velcro or snap to the back of the doll's clothes. (Of course, that would only work if they only want to have the wings on one outfit, or if you add velcro or snaps to the back of ALL their clothes...)

I already thought of that and threw it out since I or the buyer would have to mod their doll or clothes. That and it wasn't enough support.

Hmm...What about magnets?

I never even considered magnets, my god. That sounds genius. First I'll try and establish my goal at making wings and getting customers, then I'll look into magnets. I had already dumped enough money into this. I need to make some back.

Please keep suggestions coming. I can honestly use all the crafty help I can get.

Here's a couple of picture's of what I did today. Needs some tweaking...





Like, don't like? I really needs opinions here. If I'm prefectionist about anything, it's making sure that whatever I'm making with the intent of getting out to the public is PERFECT.

Ooh, I like the fluffyness! I'm not sure if this is the case IRL, but the furry part looks shinier than the feather part...it's rather easy to tell the feather and fluff apart on the second pic. if that was caused by some sort of hair spray-ish product on the fluffy part, maybe you can wash it out.

Wow! It looks really great and so soft and fluffy! Like real wings. Nicely done and I'm glad you like my magnet idea. ^^

They look awesome, although the fluff is really shiny...

Damn, yeah. This isn't matching up too well. I wonder if there's something I can do to the fabric to "remove the shiney"...so to speak. Or like, hmmm, I wonder what just fabric fuzzy wings would look like? Awe but that does not match up with my whole gimick here. I might be stuck with craft boa for the feather fluff part.