Making your own fairy wings is a great way to save on your Halloween party costume expenses, or make your own gift for your child. To make your own fairy wings, follow the guide below.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Cartoon Fairy Wings
Step 1. Gather four to eight wire hangers
You can find them at your local laundromat, as these wires are often used multiple times or simply thrown away. Hanging wire with flexible layers will be easier to shape with your hands.
- To make four different wings, you'll need at least four coat hangers. But if you want to make wings that are round, then you need to increase the number of wires so that the shape of the wings you make is strong enough; because after that you will layer the stocking onto this wire frame so that the shape will change.
- Alternatively, you can buy thick wire. The size 16 wire is the last wire you can use; 12 or less wire will give you a stronger frame.
Step 2. Straighten the hanger wire
Straighten the curve, untwist the wire at the top, and stretch the wire until it's straight, straightening the bend with pliers.
Step 3. Shape the first upper wing
Use one wire for an oval shape or two wires for a circular wing. Bend the wire into the shape you want and twist the ends together when you're done, so that one of the pieces pops out and you can attach to the rest of the wing. For inspiration, look at photos or illustrations of butterfly wings. You can also make dragonfly wings by forming the wire into an elongated oval shape.
Step 4. Form the second upper wing
Bend the wire into the same shape as the first wing. When you're done, twist the ends together as before.
If you only want to use one wire for each wing, you can make both wings at the same time; but if you use two wires for one wing, do it separately because forming four wires at once will be difficult to do
Step 5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to create the lower wings
The bottom wing should be smaller than the top wing, which means you'll need to shorten the wire you're using.
Step 6. Connect the four wing halves in the middle
First, lay the protruding wire on each wing so that it overlaps with the surrounding wings. Then join the four with certain bonds. Connect the four wires by tying them together or by using strong tape.
You don't have to worry about the shape of the wire in the center of the wing as you will cover this section later
Step 7. Extend and tie stockings over each wing
The stocking material will form the wings, so choose the color or pattern you want (although you can decorate it later). Insert the wire frame into the stocking, stretch it through the middle, cut it if necessary, and take the open part on the other side, then tie it around the center of the wire. Repeat for the other three wire frames.
Note that stockings can change the shape of the wire; Pull the wire back into shape after you've tied the stocking to restore its shape. (The harder you pull on the stocking, the more the wire will change with it)
Step 8. Cut two long wide ribbons
Since this band will be used to tie the wings, make sure it fits well with the stockings and is long enough for the wearer's body (along the circumference of the shoulders, or forming an X across the chest, depending on how you use it later).
Step 9. Tie each ribbon in the center of the wing
Be sure to point the tie inward (eg towards the spine) so that the wings can be tied easily.
Step 10. Decorate the wings if desired
For example, you can spray paint the edges, color the center, or paint the front and back a different color, or a combination of the two. You can also apply glue with a brush and sprinkle glitter on top to give it a glittery look.
If you want to make angel wings, add feathers. You can attach the feathers to the wings with strong glue; Apply the glue where you want to attach the feather, then stick the tip of the feather into the glue and into the stocking for a stronger bond. Start at the bottom of the wing so that the row of wings on top will cover the bottom. Place the longer feathers on the bottom and the shorter ones on top for a realistic look. Remember that you have to coat both sides of the wing with feathers to make it look perfect
Method 2 of 2: Realistic Wings
Step 1. Find a design for your wings
Look at books or pictures on the internet for a basic idea of the shape of the wings of a butterfly or dragonfly. You will need this basic shape as well as the inner shape of the wing to create a strong wing frame. Print this design onto one or more sheets of paper (depending on the size).
You may want to make the two wings separately, as this will be easier to make than making a set of wings at once
Step 2. Place the wing design on the board
Use heavy paper or several sheets of thick paper held together, and place your printed wing design face up. Follow the pattern on the outside with a pen so that you mark the paper underneath.
The paper you use can be adjusted to what you want. However, black is recommended to get a more real result and the wings are easier to see
Step 3. Cut out the wing design
Cut out the wing design using a knife cutter or other cutting tool. Cut it carefully because the frame of this wing will be very easy to see.
Step 4. Glue the wing frame to a sheet of cellophane
Use spray glue to attach both sides of the wing frame (with old newspaper underneath), so it doesn't stick to the other parts. Lift the glue-coated frame and place it on a sheet of cellophane.
- Be sure to use cellophane and not crimped wrap.
- Colored cellophane has color only on one side. You need to attach the wing frame to that side so that the colored part touches it. Check the colored areas by rubbing alcohol on them or peeling off the edges a little. If the color is peeling off, then this is the part you need to attach to the wing frame.
- If you want to use glitter or other paint or coloring, do so after you've attached the skeleton to the first layer of the wings.
Step 5. Glue the second layer of cellophane
Place the second layer on the other side of the previous frame. That way the wing skeleton and other materials you use like glitter will be covered.
Add more glue to the wing frame if you haven't done the previous step quickly and the second layer hasn't adhered well
Step 6. Iron the cellophane
Use the lowest heat and iron each side of the cellophane several times. Don't over-iron or use too high a heat, as your wings may melt.
Step 7. Trim the wing pieces
Once everything is glued and ironed, trim the cellophane strips around the wing tips.
Step 8. Make the back hook
Take the clothes hanger wire and stretch it into a straight wire. Make an arch like the shape of the ear. This ear shape should be curved in the right direction. Connect the wings to the shape of the ears.
Step 9. Put on your wings
You can make a hole in your costume or clothing and thread a loop of wire through the hole. Tie the wire arch to the chest with an ACE rubber and your wings are ready!
Tips
- To prevent the wings from deforming and moving easily, you can use super glue or glitter glue on the ends of the wings where the wire is in contact with the stocking. You can also spray it with spray powder or clear acrylic glue.
- Add glitter jewelry to make your wings more beautiful.
- Use pliers to tighten the wire and shape it perfectly.
- Wire smaller than size 16 will not be able to withstand the compressive force of the stocking, although you may think it will be very malleable.
- To save time, color your stockings and create a unique effect before using them to coat the wings.
Warning
- Use a mask or nose mask if you use spray paint.
- ACE rubber is dangerous if used on the chest. This adhesive can cause bruising and pressure on the ribs. Do not use this tool if you want to tie it tightly to your chest. Use ribbon or cloth, or a bra.
