You can make simple angel wings for a costume you want to wear later. There are many ways to make wings even if you only have time, money and your experience may be limited. Angel wings are perfect as a last-minute costume embellishment or for your child's school play.
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Method 1 of 3: Making Angel Wings from Paper Plates
Step 1. Prepare the equipment
The main material for making wings is paper plates. You will need a pack or about 20 paper plates. It's a good idea to have a few extra plates in case you make a mistake. You can use any color you want. You can also use plastic plates. You will also need:
- Marker or pencil
- Scissors
- Tape
- Glue (Hot glue or craft glue)
Step 2. Draw a crescent moon on a paper plate
Starting at the top middle edge of the first paper plate, draw a curved line all the way down to the center bottom edge of the plate. The separated part will look like a crescent moon and most of it will be at the edges. Repeat this step on the other 15 plates.
Step 3. Draw a second crescent on each plate
The second crescent shape must be a duplicate of the first crescent. The second crescent must have the same starting and ending points as the first crescent. You will see the shape of a soccer ball (in American soccer) or an eye between the two crescents.
Step 4. Cut along the lines
Cut both crescent shapes and set aside. These parts will become feathers for your wings. The middle can be removed.
Step 5. Arrange the feathers
Arrange the eight feather strips along one side of the paper plate that is still intact. You can determine the position of the feathers by looking at them, but all feathers must be placed close together. All edges of the feather should face down. Look at the plate as a whole and imagine it is a wall clock with numbers. Starting from the left side, the first feather piece should be positioned around the 10 or 11 o'clock direction.
- The plate should be facing up, or the position of the plate when you eat as usual.
- It's a good idea to position everything before you start pasting.
- The topmost corner of the feather should be pointed outward. The feathers that follow should be positioned starting pointing downwards and inwards gradually.
- The bottom feather should be around 8 o'clock.
Step 6. Repeat on the opposite side
Do the same process with the remaining pieces of fur. Starting on the right side, the topmost feather should be placed around the 1 or 2 o'clock direction. The last feather should be placed around the 4 o'clock direction.
Again, the corner of the topmost feather should be pointed slightly outward. The feathers that follow should be positioned starting pointing downwards and inwards gradually
Step 7. Glue the feather pieces in place
Once you are satisfied with the appearance of the position of the feather pieces, you can paste them. It's a good idea to make small marks with a pen or pencil so you can remember where the top or bottom feather is. Apply a dot of hot glue to each end of the feather where it will stick to the base. Press each feather strip against the inside of an intact paper plate.
Make all visible glue marks on the inside of the plate
Step 8. Glue the second paper plate
Apply a thin layer of glue to the center of the paper plate. Glue should be applied to the inside of the paper, where the ends of the feather strips are attached. Press the second plate on top of the first plate to strengthen the feather strip attachment.
Step 9. Cut two long ribbons
Each band must be cut to a length of 58 cm, or to the length of the wearer's arm and shoulder in order to be worn comfortably. Use a gold ribbon or decorative ribbon to make it look even better.
Step 10. Glue the tape to the bottom of the paper
The top of the tape should be affixed to the same area as the topmost piece of fur. The bottom of the tape should be affixed to the same area as the bottom piece of fur. Apply a small dot of glue on both ends so that the tape sticks to the plate.
Step 11. Glue the last plate
To cover the edges of the arm straps and for added strength, place a third plate on top of the second plate. Apply glue around the edges of the second plate and stick the third and final plate on top.
Step 12. Let the wings dry
Once the glue dries and cools, the Wings will be ready to use. Wait about 20-30 minutes for the glue to dry.
Method 2 of 3: Making Angel Wings from a Coffee Filter
Step 1. Prepare the equipment
The basic shape of the wings will be made from a coffee filter and cardboard. Use an inexpensive coffee filter or a coffee filter you have at home. No need to buy a special coffee filter to make angel wings. Purchase a pack of coffee filters as a backup in case you need additional filters. You will also need:
- Paperboard
- Pen or pencil
- Scissors
- Craft glue
- Ribbon or shoelaces
Step 2. Draw the shape of the wings on the cardboard
You can use cardboard of any size you want, but the right size is determined by estimating the distance between the wearer's chin and his lower back. You can see pictures of wings on the internet as a reference for drawing patterns on cardboard. Make the two wings as symmetrical as possible.
Step 3. Cut out the wing pattern
Cut the line pattern you have made with scissors. The cut should be straight and start from the center of the pattern to the bottom point. This will form the skeleton of the wing. There is no need to rush in cutting so that the pieces are neater.
Next, you can start covering the edges of the cardboard with a coffee filter. Don't repeat if your cut exceeds the existing pattern on the cardboard or you make a minor mistake
Step 4. Make a hole in the cardboard to insert the hand
You can experiment in locating the hole by measuring the wing to the back of the wearer. One of the holes should be about 5 cm from below the top point of the wing. The second hole should extend about 10 cm from the first hole. The other two holes for the second wing must be placed in the same place.
Step 5. Insert the tape through the hole you made
You will need four ribbons, but you can also use two. The first tape will be used as arm strap, by attaching the tape to both wing holes. The second tape should connect the two holes on the other wing and make a second arm strap. Tie the ribbon to ensure that there is enough room for the wearer's arm to move.
- Two ribbons will tie the wings to the back. The third and fourth bands are used to hold the position of the two wings.
- The third tape will connect the top holes of the two wings and the fourth tape should connect the two holes at the bottom of the two wings. The last two bands will be much shorter than the arm straps.
- Tie the ribbon in place to ensure that the wings fit over the wearer's shoulders.
- Make sure the cardboard can be seen from the front of the wearer.
Step 6. Fold the coffee filter in half
The number of coffee filters you need will vary depending on the size of the wings. You will need enough filters to cover the entire front and back of the wings with the coffee filter folds.
- Place the sieve folds on the cardboard and adjust to the design until you get the right shape.
- Try folding several coffee filters into one fold.
Step 7. Glue the filter
Apply glue to the coffee filter in a line along the inside of each wing. Attach the coffee filter to the front and back of the cardboard. This will make the rounded edges hang on the cardboard on both sides.
Step 8. Cover the outer edges of the wings
Starting at the bottom of the inner corner, slide the coffee filter along the edge of the cardboard. Place the filter in a position that half covers the front and the other half covers the back. Continue layering the coffee filter along the outer edge of the wing in this way, gradually overlaying it, until you reach the top inner corner.
Step 9. Make coffee filter layers on both sides of the wings
Each layer should slightly overlap the previous layer. The entire front and back should have been covered with the filter folded in half. However, if you see a small gap on the outer edge of the wing, ignore it.
Step 10. Wait for the glue to dry
Wait about thirty minutes for the glue to dry. Try wearing wings afterwards. Your wings will soon be ready to wear.
Method 3 of 3: Making Wings with Feathers
Step 1. Prepare your equipment
Go to a thrift store for used knitting needles. You'll need four used knitting needles to make the wing skeleton. This method requires you to go to a craft supply store to buy a bag of craft feathers and wire (15-20 sizes). You will also need:
- White T-shirt
- Hot glue
- Tape
- Thick cardboard
- Scissors
- Craft glue
Step 2. Connect the knitting needles
You'll need to connect two knitting needles together to make the skeleton of one of the wings. Use hot glue to connect the two needles slightly wider than 90 degrees. Repeat the same process on the other two knitting needles to make two wings.
- Allow the glue to dry and cool for about ten minutes before continuing.
- Make sure the outline is symmetrical before proceeding.
Step 3. Wrap the wire around the frame
Use two wires to wrap around the frame. When winding the wire, make small circles on the frame. The circles should be made to measure about 2.5 cm. The wire and loop will be used as a place for the cardboard frame. You will need to use hot glue to attach the wire to the frame.
- If you have difficulty working the starting wire, stick the wire as you wind it. The glue and wires will eventually be covered.
- There should be about eight circles for each needle. This will make about sixteen circles for each wing.
Step 4. Cut the cardboard pieces
Cut four triangular shapes for each wing. The triangles to be created do not need to be the same size. You can leave a gap between the needle and the cardboard. These gaps will be covered by T-shirts and fur. Try to make obtuse and isosceles triangles to add shape to the wings.
Make sure the four triangles you use for one wing match the four triangles on the other
Step 5. Glue the cardboard
Lay out the triangular cardboard according to the design you like before attaching the wire. Use the wire to connect the triangular cardboard to the others and the knitting needle. Everything must be pasted, but the position can be slightly dangling.
- Eagle wings are great for a design base. Imagine an eagle's wings in a half-open position.
- You can use other designs by searching the internet to see all the variations of angel wings.
- Cardboard pieces don't have to look perfect or exactly the same. These cardboard pieces will eventually be covered!
Step 6. Cover the wings frame
Use an old white T-shirt to make a skeleton cover. Cut the sleeves and adjust to the size of the wings. Use hot glue to ensure that the shirt illuminates the outline design.
You may need to trim your shirt to make it the right size
Step 7. Glue the feathers
Use hot glue or a strong glue stick to attach the fur to the t-shirt. The important thing in attaching the feathers is to make sure the feathers are facing outwards. The feathers also need to be facing the same direction for a perfect look.
Step 8. Glue the ribbon
To wear wings, you must attach a band that fits around the wearer's arm and shoulder. Cut the ribbon about 50 cm long. Check the size before attaching it to the wings. Once you find the right size, use hot glue to attach the ribbon to make the armband.
- Glue the wing near the top of the wing, close to the wearer's shoulder.
- Repeat the same process on the other wing.
- You can use a small strand of ribbon to connect the two ribbons. This will hold the wings behind and bring them side by side.
Step 9. Let the wings dry
Once the glue dries and cools, the wings will be ready to use. Wait about 20-30 minutes for the glue to dry.
