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You are here: Home / Crafts / How to make DIY feathers From Upcycled Fabric Scraps

How to make DIY feathers From Upcycled Fabric Scraps

19th February 2020 by Claire Armstrong 41 Comments

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tartan feather wall hanging
plaid wall hanging
Pair of plaid feathers

I have a thing about DIY feathers at the moment. I love to make denim feathers by fraying scraps of old jeans. This time I’ve made scrap fabric feathers.

It’s quite a relaxing craft to do in front of a box set and doesn’t require much concentration.

One night when I was sitting making my latest batch of denim feathers that I got the idea to make these tartan feathers. The denim feathers are great but they tend to be only one color.

When you think of real feathers in nature they are often not of just one color but are often multicolored and patterned. I thought how can I make faux feathers multicolored like real feathers.

That’s when I got the idea for making the DIY feathers with tartan fabric scraps. Tartan is a woven material like denim so the same method of making feathers should work with both fabrics.

Tartan, Plaid & Flannel Fabric

Tartan plaid fabric scraps

The word tartan seems to be interchangeable with the word plaid and even flannel when talking about the materials. There is much debate about the definition of each type of fabric.

Wikipedia defines tartan as a patterned cloth consisting of crisscrossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors, and tartans originated in woven wool.

The site also states that in North America the term plaid is commonly used to describe tartan. Flannel is a soft woven fabric and the term “flannel shirt” is often used casually to mean any shirt with a plaid/tartan pattern.

Having a Scottish mother I am familiar with tartan fabric and I’m drawn to it that is why I have plenty of scraps. I also love to wear warm flannel shirts in the autumn so have some plaid scraps.

Whether you call it tartan, plaid, flannel or buffalo check does not matter for this faux feather craft. The main thing you need to make sure that the fabric scraps are woven (preferably wool) and have some sort of checkered pattern.

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What You Need To Make The DIY Feathers

  • Scraps of woven woolen fabrics, tartan, plaid or flannel. Old plaid shirts or even upholstery fabric samples would work well with this faux feather craft. The more colorful the fabric pattern the more colorful the DIY feathers will be.
  • Natural twine
  • Needle and threads in assorted colors
  • Wooden beads
  • Black sharpie
  • Scissors
  • Feather’s template (free to download on the denim feather tutorial).
what you need

How To Make The Scrap Fabric Feathers

1.Download the feather template from the denim feathers page (see link above). Or draw your own feather shape onto paper. Cut out the feather shape in the size you want to make your faux feathers.
Denim feather template

2. Place the feather shape onto a scrap of tartan fabric and draw around it. Depending on which way you lay your feather the pattern and color of your feathers will vary. Cut out the feather shape with a pair of scissors.

You must lay the feather template along the same direction of the fabric weave, so either horizontally or vertically but not at an angle.

My fabric scraps were large enough to make 2 feathers so I made one feather in each weave. That is I laid the feather template horizontally for one faux feather and vertically for the other.

This actually gave me two DIY feathers in two different patterns and color combinations from the same piece of scrap fabric.

Tartan scrap fabric for feathers

3. Next, cut a length of twine about 30-40cm long. This twine will not only form the center spine of the feather but it will also give you something to hang the DIY tartan feathers with.

Lay the twine down the center of the faux feather shape. Then using a needle and cotton in the same color as the fabric stitch the twine in place. I just used a simple stitch that went around the twine to keep it in place.

Stitch the whole length of the faux feather spine.

You can glue the twine in place instead of stitching, which is what I did with the denim feathers. However, this time I thought I would stitch in the twine spine as I thought it would look better with the tartan/plaid fabric scraps.

stitching in the spine of tartan/plaid feathers.
stitching in the spine

Making The Faux Feathers By Fraying

4. Next, once the twine spine is firmly in place its time to turn the scrap fabric into a feather. To do this slowly pull out the threads from the long sides of the fabric scraps.

Pull the feathers out one by one until you reach the center spine. Make sure you pull the threads out on both sides of the center. Basically you are just fraying the woven fabric.

Pulling out the threads to fray the fabric
making DIY feathers from tartan
finished tartan feather

Top Tip: If the fabric is very tightly woven then it may be difficult to pull the threads. Especially, as you get to towards the center spine. I find if this is the case using a pin to tease out the threads one by one really helps.

Also, a bit of patience too!

5. Finally, to finish off these DIY feathers I added wooden beads. As well as being decorative the beads add a bit of weight to the light feathers which help them hang better.

Place the 2 feathers you made from the same piece of fabric together. Tie their two lengths of twine together with a simple knot then thread 2 beads onto the twine.

The knot is to stop the beads from slipping.

adding beads to DIY feathers

Even though both of the tartan feathers are made from the same piece of fabric, their colors and patterns will vary.

This is because of the different colored threads pulled from each feather. The colors will depend on whether the feather was cut vertically or horizontally from the tartan/plaid fabric.

Pair of DIY feathers made from plaid

This is illustrated more clearly with the red tartan feathers below. Again both DIY feathers were made from the same upcycled plaid shirt.

Tartan DIY feathers
DIY feathers from plaid tartan fabric scraps

What To Do With The Faux Feathers

Once you start making these DIY feathers they get quite addictive. It’s really interesting trying out different plaids and tartans to see how these faux feathers turn out.

I imagine them coming from some exotic looking tartan Scottish bird!

collection of faux DIY feathers

I decided to display my colorful array of tartan feathers on a simple wall hanging by simply tying them to an old branch.

Tartan DIY Feather Wall Display
Tartan and plaid DIY feathers

Smaller feathers would make fabulous earrings all you need to do was add a simple earring hook. They would also make a great necklace.

I’ve even made a DIY feather lampshade before, but that took a lot of feathers. I will carry on making these colorful feathers and make a garland with them or use them to adorn planters or even just as cute present toppers.

If you don’t have any tartan or plaid clothes to upcycle ask relatives and friends. I have seen bundles of tartan scraps available to buy on sites like eBay before.

Charity and thrift stores are also a good place to hunt out tartan and plaid clothing. If you are a bit cheeky a good source for woven tartan and plaid is free fabric samples, especially those from upholstery stores. As you only need small pieces of fabric to make these craft feathers, fabric samples are a perfect size.

As well as making feathers out of fabric you can make them out of paper. I made some map feathers out of old road maps for a large paper angel wings art to hang in my bedroom.

how to make tartan feathers

I also used some of these tartan and tweed fabric scraps to make myself a forest of Scottish tartan mini trees and tartan Scottie dogs for my Christmas mantle.

Yield: Tartan and Plaid Faux Feathers

Tartan & Plaid DIY Feathers

collection of faux DIY feathers

These fabric DIY feathers are made in a very similar way to my very popular denim feathers. They are made with scraps of tartan and plaid fabrics which gives them lovely patterns and colors. I warn you this is an addictive feather craft, soon you'll be wanting to make feathers out of your old plaid shirts.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Active Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $1

Materials

  • Scraps of woven wool plaid or tartan fabrics
  • Natural twine
  • Wooden beads

Tools

  • Needle
  • Scissors

Instructions

  1. Download the feather template from my denim feathers tutorial.
  2. Cut out the feather size you want to make from the template
  3. Place the feather shape onto the fabric lying in the same direction as the weave. Draw around the feather shape with a sharpie.
  4. Cut out the feather shape.
  5. Cut a length of twine 30-40cm long.
  6. With a needle and thread stitch the twine down the center of the feather shape so that it acts as a spine. Use a simple stitch around the twine.
  7. One by one plug the threads from the long edge of the feather shape. Start at the outside edge and remove the threads one by one until you reach the center spine.
  8. Remove the threads on both sides of the spine.
  9. Make another feather this time cut out the shape with the template at 90 deg to the first feather.
  10. When the two feathers are finished tie them together by using a simple knot in the twine.
  11. Thread two wooden beads onto the twine.
  12. Hang from a twig using the excess twine.

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© Pillarboxblue
Project Type: craft / Category: Crafts

Don’t forget also to check out favecrafts for more homemade feather ideas.

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY Upcycling Tagged With: clothing, feather, feathers, plaid, tartan

Previous Post: « The Best Ways Of Upcycling Fabrics For The Home
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kirsty Little

    11th September 2020 at 2:08 pm

    These are really beautiful, I love the idea. I have been trying to find out how to make feathers to go with my upcycled dreamcathers for months and you have started the ideas flowing…. Thank you

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      11th September 2020 at 4:06 pm

      I have a tutorial for denim feathers too, they are so easy and fun to make. Thank you.

      Reply
  2. Miss Daisy

    19th August 2020 at 1:01 pm

    I am in love with this creation ! Being Native American I adore feathers , buttt they are hard to find and the ones in stores look cheap sooo this is a perfect solution. I will make some to go with my FALL decor , your instructions are easy to follow. Thank you very much for sharing your creations. Have a great week.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      20th August 2020 at 7:03 am

      Thank you so much. They are fun to make either with printed fabric or denim.

      Reply
  3. Alex

    20th May 2020 at 12:07 pm

    Hi Claire,

    I’ve now read about how you made these – I love them! – so, my next step is to find a way to get scraps of tartan fabric because I currently don’t have any at home unless I go cut clothes that enjoy wearing 🙂 Thanks for sharing this tutorial!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      20th May 2020 at 1:04 pm

      Hi Alex, thank you. You can try them out with other woven fabric you might have at home. Then denim feathers look just as lovely too.

      Reply
  4. Lori F

    11th March 2020 at 1:17 pm

    Your tutorial is so clear and easy to follow. Great step by step instructions.
    And the feathers are so adorable. Love this idea.
    Thanks so much for sharing it!!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      11th March 2020 at 4:37 pm

      Thank you so much. I try to make the instructions as clear as possible, so that is great to hear.

      Reply
  5. Jenni T

    11th March 2020 at 12:16 am

    I.ADORE.THESE. PLAID.FEATHERS!!!! So much!!! That plaid — simply BRILLIANT!!!!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      11th March 2020 at 4:37 pm

      Aww, thank you so much. They are fun to make too.

      Reply
  6. handmade by amalia

    3rd March 2020 at 4:40 am

    Love the feathers, what a brilliant idea.
    Amalia
    xo

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      3rd March 2020 at 9:43 am

      Thank you so much ?

      Reply
  7. Julie

    1st March 2020 at 1:11 pm

    They turned out gorgeous. I love them! I think they’d make great earrings or maybe a bookmark. I think I could use them as card toppers too maybe? They will be one of the features over at Handmade Monday later today too 🙂

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      1st March 2020 at 8:12 pm

      Thank you so much. I look forward to seeing it.

      Reply
  8. Lora Bloomquist

    29th February 2020 at 4:47 pm

    These are awesome, Claire! Pinned and sharing!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      1st March 2020 at 8:11 pm

      Thank you so much thanks for the share.

      Reply
  9. Lisa | Handmade in Israel

    26th February 2020 at 4:01 pm

    These look wonderful! What a great tutorial. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      26th February 2020 at 7:46 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  10. creativejewishmom/sara

    25th February 2020 at 4:55 pm

    Wow Claire, love it! So amazing how the plaid fabric gives these feathers that extra touch. Thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday! And I think the feathers with touches of red would look great with the jean versions.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      25th February 2020 at 6:23 pm

      Thank you, I think you are right they would look great together.

      Reply
  11. sahana

    25th February 2020 at 3:17 pm

    Pretty neat and cool tutorial. Thank you for linking with us at #HomeMatters

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      25th February 2020 at 6:23 pm

      Thank you, glad you like them.

      Reply
  12. Michelle

    23rd February 2020 at 8:05 pm

    Very cool! Pinning!

    Michelle
    http://mybijoulifeonline.com

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      23rd February 2020 at 10:31 pm

      Thank you so much and thanks for the share.

      Reply
  13. Linda at Mixed Kreations

    23rd February 2020 at 6:00 pm

    Oops I meant feather not leaves. 🙂 <3

    Reply
  14. Linda at Mixed Kreations

    23rd February 2020 at 5:58 pm

    Very clever and just too cute! Love the variety of colors on each leaf, and they look so easy to make. Pinning! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      23rd February 2020 at 10:32 pm

      Thank you, don’t worry I kept on calling them leaves too an easy mistake.

      Reply
  15. Ginny

    23rd February 2020 at 8:37 am

    These are very cute.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      23rd February 2020 at 10:58 am

      Thank you, they are fun and easy to make.

      Reply
  16. Anita holland

    23rd February 2020 at 7:41 am

    I seriously love these, not a fan of plaid but these I would have no problem. Will be trying these.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      23rd February 2020 at 10:58 am

      Thank you, have fun making them.

      Reply
  17. Allyson

    22nd February 2020 at 3:52 am

    These are amazing!!! I always enjoy seeing your creativity. Pinned. I’m visiting from Home Matters.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      22nd February 2020 at 12:23 pm

      Thank you so much Allyson and thank you for the share.

      Reply
  18. Elizabeth Watson

    20th February 2020 at 9:11 pm

    Easy to follow tutorial! Would look fantastic on a gift for a guy! <3

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      20th February 2020 at 10:35 pm

      Thank you, yes especially if you used one of their old plaid shirts to make the feathers with.

      Reply
  19. Julie Briones

    20th February 2020 at 8:16 pm

    Such a lovely and original idea, Claire! Visiting by way of TFT today! 😉 PInned!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      20th February 2020 at 10:35 pm

      Thank you, Julie and thanks for visiting.

      Reply
  20. Marie

    20th February 2020 at 4:37 pm

    Claire, I thought your denim feathers were wonderful but these, oh my word, they are AWESOME! They speak to my Scottish heritage as well as my color-loving soul. I need some tartan feathers in my life and I know a few others who would love these or gifts too. Pinned 🙂

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      20th February 2020 at 4:44 pm

      Thank you, Marie. Everyone could do with a little tartan in their life!

      Reply
  21. Michele Michael

    20th February 2020 at 12:49 pm

    I’m seriously crazy for these feathers. Posted to my feather board. Planning to make some soon.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      20th February 2020 at 3:45 pm

      Thank you so much they are fun to make.

      Reply

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