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You are here: Home / Denim / How To Make Denim Feather Wall Decor

How To Make Denim Feather Wall Decor

19th September 2018 by Claire Armstrong 85 Comments

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I got the idea for this denim feather wall decor over the summer whilst making denim tassels.

It wasn’t a great leap to work out how to make denim feathers from old jeans. The principle was the same as with the tassels. Which is basically fraying scraps of old denim. I just had a few details to work out like the feather spine and shape.

You can make either an indigo or white feather from one piece of denim scrap. The color will depend on which way you lay the template onto the scrap fabric.

Like with the tassels this was a great craft for those of us who find they have fidgety fingers when watching TV.

I made these feathers whilst getting stuck into the brilliant Netflix series Ozark. That’s probably why I ended up making loads of the feathers and hence made them into a wall hanging.

As well as making a feather wall decor you can also use individual denim feathers to make earrings, bag charms, and gift toppers.

DIY repurposed denim feather wall decor

These denim feathers featured under the letter F in the A to Z of denim upcycles.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my disclosure policy.

What You Need To Make Denim Feathers

  • Denim scraps – The scrap pieces will need to be as big as you want your feathers. You will also need pieces of denim with no seams or embellishments just plain bits of jeans fabric.
  • Twine – I love Nutscene twine which comes in lots of lovely different colors.
  • Fabric Mod Podge
  • Wooden beads 10-12mm with a 5mm hole.
  • Stick and drawing pins to hang the denim feathers from.
denim scraps needed to make denim feathers.

How To Make A Denim Feather Wall Decor

1. The first thing to do is to cut out a feather shape from your scrap of denim. If you are not confident about doing this free hand you can download my feather template and use this to draw around before cutting out the feather shape.

Make sure that the template lies in the same direction as the weave of the denim. Depending on which way you lie the feather template on the denim will depend on what color feather you will make. Denim tends to be made up of a weave of both blue and white threads.

Denim feather template
Feather template on denim scrap

2. Next cut a piece of twine that is a couple of inches longer than denim feather shape.

cut denim  shape and twine

3. Cover the twine in fabric glue and stick it to the center of the denim feather shape. This will create a spine for the feather.

You can stitch the twine in place if you prefer that to glue. However, the glue is better as it also stiffens the twine which helps the denim feather hold its shape.

Sticking on the twine spine to denim feather.

4. To make the feathers, fray the denim by pulling out the threads. Denim is frayed by removing the threads of one color.

Therefore, if you remove the white threads you will end up with blue feathers. If you remove the blue threads you will end up with white feathers.

Cut the feather shape the long way, with grain for one color and cut across the grain for the other color.

how to make denim feathers

Making The Denim Feather Wall Decor

5. I used this same method to make several feathers, both white and blue in various sizes.

To make the denim feather wall decor, I first threaded the twine of both a blue feather and a white feather through the same wooden bead.

Threading the wooden bead.
Blue and white repurposed denim feathers

6. Finally, the pairs of repurposed denim feathers were hung from a wooden stick. They were attached to the stick with a drawing pin at the back.

Denim feather wall decor
Denim feathers made from old jeans

I love how the denim feathers have turned out. You can make a collection of feathers in different shades of indigo by using denim scraps from different pairs of jeans.

I think these denim feathers would also look great on a cushion or simply hung in glass frames.

Denim isn’t the only fabric that you can use to make faux feathers. I have used tartan and plaid fabric to make DIY feathers. These tartan/plaid feathers look fabulous as they have color and pattern.

I’ve also made paper feathers out of old maps and made them into a gorgeous paper angel wings decor to hang above my bed.

I love to use old branches for my wall hangings and have used them with this paper Mache watercolor heart decoration.

framed upcycled DIY denim feather
Denim feather wall art
Yield: Denim feathers

Denim Feather Wall Hanging

Denim Feather Wall Hanging

These gorgeous denim feathers are so simple to make and require no sewing.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Materials

  • Scraps of old jeans
  • Branch or driftwood
  • Twine and wooden beads
  • Fabric glue

Tools

  • Scissors

Instructions

  1. Using a template cut out a leaf shape from a scrap of denim
  2. Cut a length of twine and stick to the center of the leaf shape
  3. Starting with one side of the leaf pull the cross threads out one by one to fray the denim
  4. Repeat on the other side of the leaf
  5. Make several feathers, thread wooden beads on to the twine.
  6. Hang from a branch

Notes

The colour of the feather will depend on which way you cut the denim. Pulling white threads out will result in blue feathers. Pulling blue threads will result in white feathers.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Mod Podge 8 oz Fabric Embellishment
    Mod Podge 8 oz Fabric Embellishment
  • Nutscene 13 m Twine Spool - Blue
    Nutscene 13 m Twine Spool - Blue
  • 100 Or 200 - Wooden Mixed Size & Shape Wood Beads Craft Jewellery Dolls Hair Braiding - Pack Size: 100 Beads
    100 Or 200 - Wooden Mixed Size & Shape Wood Beads Craft Jewellery Dolls Hair Braiding - Pack Size: 100 Beads
© Pillarboxblue
Project Type: Upcycle / Category: Denim

If you like this you may want to check out some of the other denim upcycles on Pillarboxblue. Such as the boho jeans pillow, upcycled denim gift tag, denim tassels, and a cool denim rug.

If you are looking for some other feather wall decor check out these beautiful free vintage illustrations of feathers.

Flowers are a fun thing also to make out of denim. I’ve made two types of denim flowers, roses and thistles from repurposed jeans. Other fun nature-themed denim crafts include this faux moth taxidermy.

I even have ideas for denim Christmas decorations

Old Jeans No-Sew Projects

what to do with old jeans no-sew projects

Or check out favecrafts.com for more DIY feather ideas

Filed Under: Crafts, Denim Tagged With: denim, denim feathers, feather, feather wall art, feather wall decor, feathers, old jeans, wall art, wall decor, wall hanging

Previous Post: « DIY Unique Kitchen Storage With A Repurposed Chair Back
Next Post: How To Make A Custom Neon Sign The Easy Way »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pat niichel

    19th February 2021 at 12:12 am

    I think I may do these for my brother and sisters from my late husbands denim shirt scraps I have made memory pillows for my kids and grandkids and making wine bottle covers too . My husband loved denim shirts!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      19th February 2021 at 12:03 pm

      That sounds like a lovely idea.

      Reply
  2. Jamie

    9th January 2021 at 4:40 pm

    Brilliant! I love these. I can see a future of denim feathers all over my house, lol

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      10th January 2021 at 11:44 am

      Thank you, they are an addictive craft, fun to do in front of the TV.

      Reply
  3. Christina

    20th August 2020 at 8:18 pm

    I swear you never cease to amaze me! These are so cool! I have GOT to try it!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      22nd August 2020 at 6:24 pm

      Thank you, they are kind of addictive to make once you start.

      Reply
  4. Dawn

    19th July 2020 at 12:12 pm

    Love this and I have made 3 of them thank you for the inspiration

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      19th July 2020 at 1:02 pm

      Thank you, that’s lovely to hear. They are very relaxing to make, aren’t they.

      Reply
  5. Lisa

    18th June 2020 at 12:40 pm

    I love these! How adorable. I have pinned them to try later. I just made a post about DIY yarn feathers but now I HAVE to try making the denim one. Thanks for sharing.
    Lisa

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      18th June 2020 at 8:05 pm

      Your fiber feathers look fabulous, I’ll include them in this round-up if that is OK with you.

      Reply
  6. Adele

    7th June 2020 at 8:52 pm

    Wow these look so effective!! What a great idea!!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      8th June 2020 at 1:07 pm

      Thank you, they are fun to make.

      Reply
  7. Kathy A

    19th April 2020 at 8:40 pm

    These are lovely. I have some remnants of green; I want to try making small Christmas tree ornaments! And some blue feathers….and some black ones. I often fringe material in small prints to make dollhouse tablecloths, runners, and rugs so I am an old hand at fringing. I recently used the strings I fringed for strings price tags; the ultimate upcycle!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      20th April 2020 at 7:00 am

      Thank you. They all sound like wonderful ideas. I’ve made tartan feathers too which work well.

      Reply
  8. Jil

    24th March 2020 at 12:09 am

    Great craft idea while we are in quarantine from the virus.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      25th March 2020 at 10:21 am

      Thank you and keep safe.

      Reply
  9. Shirley Eagle

    23rd January 2020 at 6:25 am

    I think people are getting confused about how to get the color they want because they don’t understand what “with the grain” means. If you look at the fabric, you can see which direction each color runs and put the stem the direction of the color you want. If you have a hard time telling, fray a few threads to see what you’ll get. That should be even easier. These are cute!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      23rd January 2020 at 4:35 pm

      Thank you, and thanks for your explanation.

      Reply
  10. Desiree Phillips

    6th November 2019 at 9:04 pm

    I absolutely love this craft, but I am still having trouble cutting the feathers the right way to get them to fray right. I think this blog would be more helpful if you had more pictures better directions and a video to go along with the craft.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      6th November 2019 at 10:38 pm

      Hi Desiree, sorry you are having trouble making the feathers. I’m not sure what to suggest, is the demin you are using very stretchy if so that can make things more difficult. You want to lay the template on the denim fabric so that it follows the direction of the weave and not across it diagonally.

      Reply
  11. Maggie Martin

    23rd October 2019 at 6:05 pm

    Hi Claire!
    I have made about 75 of these feathers (denim addict here) And the tassels too!
    Fun, relaxing and hanging from drapes, sticks, curtain rods, footstool, and just everywhere.
    Thank YOU for all of your great ideas!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      23rd October 2019 at 6:44 pm

      Aww, that’s lovely to hear. They are fun to make, I bet you are quite an expert now with all that practice.

      Reply
  12. Susan Klaws

    31st May 2019 at 12:16 am

    I just love these denim feathers you created and I now have used your tutorial and am pleased with how you showed everything and am now making the feathers. I find them so attractive and thank you for this craft share. I will try to share my work sometime but have no way to take a picture right now.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      31st May 2019 at 6:08 am

      Thank you, it’s lovely to hear you are making the feathers. I find it a relaxing craft to do in front of the TV.

      Reply
  13. Dane

    24th April 2019 at 8:56 am

    voici le lien de mon blog j’ ai réalisé les plumes c’ est super sympa a faire je me suis bien amusée merci de ce beau tuto a bientôt biz
    https://www.dane-et-le-crochet.fr/?post/1704

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      24th April 2019 at 4:03 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  14. flowerpower

    3rd March 2019 at 5:27 pm

    Just cut a piece of denim but how do you pull those little pieces of thread out ?? Thx

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      3rd March 2019 at 6:34 pm

      Rub the end between your fingers to loosen the threads. Then grab the thread nearest the cut edge of the fabric and just pull. It should come way. Then repeat with the next thread in line.

      Reply
      • Sandi Gallion Hodge

        21st April 2019 at 11:12 am

        Excellent Tutorial !!!

        Reply
        • Claire Armstrong

          21st April 2019 at 12:14 pm

          That’s lovely to hear, thank you.

          Reply
  15. Monica

    1st March 2019 at 1:48 pm

    How do you determine if your feather will be white or blue? Mine keep turning out white.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      1st March 2019 at 2:30 pm

      If you pull the blue threads your feathers will be white, but if you pull the white threads your feathers will be blue.

      Reply
    • Maggie Martin

      12th September 2019 at 11:51 am

      You need to turn the denim before you cut. Cut the long way, with grain for one color and cut across the grain for the other color

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        12th September 2019 at 12:41 pm

        Yes, that is one way of doing it. Thank you.

        Reply
  16. Margaret Valera

    4th January 2019 at 4:30 pm

    Absolutely brilliant!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      4th January 2019 at 8:35 pm

      Thank you so much !

      Reply
  17. Anjela

    21st December 2018 at 5:30 am

    Hi
    I love your page
    Very nice?

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      22nd December 2018 at 1:26 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  18. Penny from BAMA

    30th October 2018 at 1:50 pm

    I am so excited! Thank you so very much for sharing this. I make Frayed denim coats & jackets. These will be perfect embellishments, with a little tweaking for coat application. I will use the heave seam edging that I usually save to braid for purse handles and instead sew down the center of the ‘feather’ shape cut from the pieces that I have left over from my coat constructions. A couple or three of these will look great strung with beads onto a leather strip to sew onto the finished coat. I cannot wait to go out to my studio and tweak a finished coat! LOVE IT!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      30th October 2018 at 2:18 pm

      Thank you. That sounds like an awesome idea. I would love to see a picture of the coat when it’s finished either email me one or post it on the blogs facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pillarboxblue/

      Reply
  19. karen reekie

    21st October 2018 at 6:22 pm

    What a clever way to use old denim. So pretty! Thanks for sharing!
    #goinggreen

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      22nd October 2018 at 12:45 pm

      Thank you, denim is my favourite material to repurpose.

      Reply
  20. Abraham Kuntai

    17th October 2018 at 8:15 pm

    Aww,this is super gorgeous,i have some denim that i no longer use,maybe i can convert some for
    wall decor.Thank you so much

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      18th October 2018 at 11:21 am

      Thank you, they are a fun craft to make while tucked up all cozy in front of the TV on a winters night.

      Reply
  21. Nicola Says

    15th October 2018 at 7:00 am

    Ah these are super creative! I wouldn’t have thought to try anything like this.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th October 2018 at 10:15 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  22. Rosie (@greenrosielife)

    15th October 2018 at 5:57 am

    Another gorgeous ucycling project and I love the range of ways you could use these, especially reusable present toppers. I also reckon with a few extra embellishments they’s make gorgeous Christmas tree decorations. #GoingGreen

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th October 2018 at 10:16 am

      Thank you, yes I think they would look good hanging from a tree.

      Reply
    • Bonnie colemanb

      8th June 2020 at 10:56 pm

      I loved my feathers
      Made wall hanging
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        8th June 2020 at 11:12 pm

        Thank you, that’s lovely to hear.

        Reply
  23. Kate

    6th October 2018 at 12:42 am

    This is brilliant!!!!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      6th October 2018 at 7:08 am

      Aww, thank you so much ?

      Reply
  24. T'onna | Sew Crafty Crochet

    29th September 2018 at 4:59 am

    I love these denim feathers! I adore all your denim creations! Thanks so much for sharing at the Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Party!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      29th September 2018 at 6:35 am

      Thank you T’onna. And I love all your crochet creations I think they are so creative!

      Reply
  25. Peg

    29th September 2018 at 3:34 am

    BEST denim project ever!!! Making as soon as possible! Congrats on blog win.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      29th September 2018 at 6:36 am

      Ahh, thank you so much!

      Reply
  26. Amy

    28th September 2018 at 5:24 am

    How cute. I actually thought that these were real feathers (dyed of course) before I looked at your actual post. Thank you for sharing at To Grandma’s House We Go.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      28th September 2018 at 4:25 pm

      Thank you so much Amy. I’m glad they look realistic!

      Reply
  27. Pam

    27th September 2018 at 1:21 pm

    These are wonderful! I love them, and I’ve featured them at this week’s Thursday Favorite Things party. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      27th September 2018 at 1:46 pm

      Thank you so much and I’ll look out for the feature thanks.

      Reply
  28. creativejewishmom/sara

    27th September 2018 at 1:16 pm

    Another fantastic project Claire! Thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      27th September 2018 at 7:25 pm

      Thank you so much Sara.

      Reply
  29. Michelle Leslie

    27th September 2018 at 8:10 am

    I just love your denim feathers Claire. My daughter and I made some a few years ago from her old jeans and we used the seam down the leg for the feather stalk bit (not sure what it’s really called) but your idea is so much nicer. There’s only so many feathers you can make with the seam

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      27th September 2018 at 7:24 pm

      Thank you, Michelle. Someone else suggested using the seam I might try it with my next batch.

      Reply
  30. Chas

    26th September 2018 at 12:28 pm

    I love this, I’m such a fan of your work Claire! You make such amazing things. Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      26th September 2018 at 1:11 pm

      Ahh, thank you Chas. That’s very kind of you to say so!

      Reply
  31. Kaz

    26th September 2018 at 2:13 am

    Just gorgeous thanku ?

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      26th September 2018 at 6:28 am

      Thank you so much ?

      Reply
  32. Sandy

    26th September 2018 at 1:08 am

    What is a drawing pin?

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      26th September 2018 at 6:27 am

      A drawing pin is a thumb tack or push pin.

      Reply
  33. Anielle Bel Ange

    24th September 2018 at 6:24 pm

    I loved making these so much I’m using them as a hair ornament and I also made earrings. So many friends have asked me to share your instructions with them. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      24th September 2018 at 6:59 pm

      I’m so pleased to hear you are making them and having fun. I did thing they would make lovely earrings. Thank you for sharing the tutorial with your friends.

      Reply
  34. Linda aka Crafty Gardener

    24th September 2018 at 12:21 pm

    I love your denim feathers and will certainly be giving your idea a try. Thanks for sharing,

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      24th September 2018 at 6:58 pm

      Thank you so much ?

      Reply
  35. Julie

    23rd September 2018 at 11:33 pm

    OK Claire, this is getting ridiculous, you have to stop making these gorgeous things that I have no time to try myself right now!! I thought the tassels were cute but these are even more lovely if that’s possible!
    Wouldn’t they be fun on gift wrap? Along with a pretty tag or something.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      24th September 2018 at 9:52 am

      Thank you, Julie. I can’t help it “a makers got to make”. Yes I thought they would make lovely gift toppers too!

      Reply
  36. Lisa // Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing & Crafting

    23rd September 2018 at 5:10 pm

    This is all sorts of genius! What an incredibly simple but gorgeous effect to fray the fabric that way! Fabulous, Claire! 🙂 Lisa

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      23rd September 2018 at 5:54 pm

      Thank you, Lisa. They are very simple to make, Ive had the idea for ages but for some reason it took me a while to get around to making them. Now I’ve started I can’t stop. At this rate I’m going to have enough feathers for a Lampshade.

      Reply
  37. Cecilia

    22nd September 2018 at 10:58 pm

    These denim feathers are fabulous! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      23rd September 2018 at 5:57 am

      Thank you, they are just a bit of whimsical fun.

      Reply
  38. Lora Bloomquist

    22nd September 2018 at 2:01 pm

    These are so cool, Claire! Think I need to try some…just need to find a pair of jeans now…

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      22nd September 2018 at 3:13 pm

      Thank you Lori. Any denim fabric would work.

      Reply
  39. laura mchugh

    19th September 2018 at 4:51 pm

    What is the best way to remove the blue or white threads most efficiently? Tweezers?

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      19th September 2018 at 6:40 pm

      I just pulled them out with my fingers. Sometimes I used a pin to bring a thread to the edge.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Making Feathers of All Kinds ~ Pinterest Challenge ~ Teadoddles says:
    19th February 2019 at 8:02 am

    […] kinds of feathers. I was particularly inspired by this pin for denim feather wall decor from Pillar Box Blue. Then I thought, why not try out some others as well? So, here’s my take on making feathers […]

    Reply

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