[pippi]

I am getting ready to try and sew up a Periwinkle fairy dress (ala: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mama_knowles03/8106475051/in/set-72157631814339631 I saw her blog post so I am great with the main dress, but I am trying to think about some feather alternatives so that it is washable. I was sort of thinking faux fur, but my daughter says it has to be feathers. So then I was thinking some kind of fabric feathers (like sewing up something in the shape of feathers like fleece, or maybe tulle or netting)? I am kind of stumped though. Might just have to have a removable velcro row of real feathers or something?

Any ideas?

[Nicole]

Feathers wash!

I made a collar for my daughter recently and gathered the feathers from my own chooks. I washed them in shampoo and they fluffed up once dry.

If you are happy to wash the costume in a bucket,squeeze dry with towel and then hang to finish drying,you should have no problems.

~Nicole~

[with love Heidi]

What about some raw edged flannelette fabric feathers? Like the blankets. http://kidfriendlyworld.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/rag-quiltrug-tutorial.html

Not sure how you would need to chnage this to make it washable but here’s a tute for fabric flowers.

http://peacelovebird.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/diy-fabric-feathers.html

It may be quicker and easier to add the feathers as removable.

[pippi]

Nicole- you crack me up with your own gathered feathers! What an amazing lifestyle you have! I stayed overnight at a sheep station one time years ago while travelling on the west coast during my study abroad in AUS. I still have some awesome pictures of some amazing landscapes and sunsets! It is just a beautiful country.

I will think through these ideas a bit. At least it will be the last step so I can mull it over a bit.

Thanks!

[losabia]

Someone posted in this forum that marabou boas from Joann are washable, and that they don’t bleed? She doesn’t mention drying, but that might be asking a bit much of the feathers. I feel the need to experiment!

here’s the URL: http://www.sewforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=181869

Ooh! Or leather (or pleather or ultrasuede) feathers making this tutorial. What a pain that would be, but it would look really cool and wash up fine if you used washable materials.

http://transientexpression.com/tutorial-tuesday-fake-leather-feather-earrings/

[Nicole]

http://pinterest.com/pin/73676143876073036/

I promise,no chooks were harmed in the making of this collar!

xx Nicole

[Mama_Knowles]

Machine washable would be great! I had to hand wash sweet pea’s few times now, but it’s not too bad to wash. (well not’s not talk about the hot chocolate spills, but they too came out)

[Tamara]

Giggle! Love that statement Nicole! They honestly didn’t look like chook feathers though so I’m wondering what your breed is? Any feathers I have used have been from the shop because of the project. I haven’t washed them but the organic variety may wash better as the store bought brightly coloured ones may run. I’m too scared to try!

I think it is a lovely idea though to use the tea party dress pattern and feathers together though. It would turn out very pretty.

[pippi]

Don’t get me started on hot chocolate. I bought a giant can of WHITE hot chocolate this winter. It has helped with the stain issue a lot as my kids can’t seem to ever get the cup to their mouth without spilling all over themselves. 😉

[meleliza]

The whole chicken thing is getting really popular. Williams Sonoma now sells a coop. Nough said? Apparently, further down my block is a rooster. Our neighbors hear it, but I haven’t. They were “camping.” Not sure why. We have exactly 13×18 feet of outdoor space, which is a whole lot more than most, and I really like having a garden, so there will be no chickens for us. We have lots of pigeons, though. I wonder if pigeon feathers would look nice?

[Mama_Knowles]

I not sure if you have seen the new Sew Beauitful magazine but it has a way of making ribbon “feathers” in it. It would be a great way to make it machine washable.

[pippi]

I haven’t seen it, I will have to see if I can track it down. I have my light blue corduroy but have been debating on using the tea party pattern for my older daughter who is size 6 (it will work great for my middle daughter, size 4, but i better get them both done at the same time or else!). I still have to work out the best way to size up for her and have been side tracked with some other projects. I was sort of thinking about using fleece to make a really big “feather” kind of like the disney costume here: http://www.mickeyxtreme.com/images1/News2012/08242012FrostFairyPeriwinkle.jpg Still mulling it over. I have to get some silver thread too. I really liked the way you top-stitched the veins.

[needlewoman]

Light blue corduroy would be lovely for the bday party, pippi. Not sure about pigeon feathers, Mel -they are very ‘grey’. Ribbon feathers sound interesting, though. I’ve always loved an Erma Bombeck (American Humorist, now deceased, for Aussie readers) saying because it perfectly “describes” kids and drinks of any kind: “I only pour half a glass of milk because that’s all I want to wipe up”.

[pippi]

Finally got to it! http://www.flickr.com/photos/59555784@N02/8595484834/in/pool-oliverands/ Unfortunately I don’t love the way it came out. The girls aren’t quite sure about them, I think little sister likes hers, but big sister is not so sure. Oh well, you can’t win them all. Interestingly enough, right when I got started on this I came across this tutorial for fabric feathers http://thermoweb.com/blog/heatnbond-fabric-feather-tutorial/… I thought about it, but ended up going with the fleece instead. On to the next thing I guess.