Angel wings

[sherrardk]

Going to make the frame for the wings out of garden wire stuff (about the same thickness and bendiness as a wire coat hanger) and then cover in sparkly net material and cover the rubbish seams up with tinsel (lots of tinsel). What can I use to form the actual shape of the wings (can't remember what we used last time although they were too big anyway).

[B00]

Any particular reason why you're makin angel wings? Or is this normal sunday evening hobby?

;-)

[NazNomad]

You've spoiled it ... they were a surprise for you, B00. :-))

[sherrardk]

Hi Boo - the five year old is an angel in the school play. I've also got 3 pirates, a traveller (no, not a gypsy - a nativity play one) and an ocean scene outfit to sort out (cheated on the ocean one - have got one on E Bay).

[askyourgran]

Is this for fancy dress sherrardk?

[sherrardk]

Hi AYG - the angel and the traveller are for the school play, the pirates are for pirate day and the ocean theme is for a birthday party (and I don't have anything to alter/adapt so have bought a mermaid costume on E Bay). It's going to be a nightmare when the twins start school. Luckily the 10 year old doesn't need a costume for his school play (that I know off).

[B00]

Oh God, and you've to make the outfits for a school play? I'd be devastated if i had to make Mini Boo's school Crimble play outfit!

I can't sew for crap, and have been known to throw garments away as they need buttons.

[sherrardk]

Hi Boo - I can't sew for toffee. Went out yesterday and bought loads of stuff - wonder web, a starter sewing set for idiots, 3 metres of stripey, pirate-looking material (for waist coats and bandanas), garden wire, 3 metres of sparkly net and 6 strings of tinsel for the wings. The rest is going to be old dressing-up stuff that is altered/ruined and the traveller is going to look very similar to last year's shepherd!

[B00]

Well good luck, i know for a fact id be sat on the floor now- all that "stuff" surrounding me, in floods of tears.

[boxtops]

Sherrard, I've used the white stiffening you put in clothes - interfacing fabric - as it's white but reasonably robust. You have to buy it though, from a haberdasher. Have you got an old white sheet or pillowcase if not, that you could starch really stiff, as an alternative?

[sherrardk]

I nearly had a nervous breakdown last time I made angel wings - the babies were 8 months old so I was a bit of a basket case anyway. I was so tired and it took bloody ages to sew the flipping tinsel around the edges (and I had to do it quietly so that I could be in the same room as the babies to keep an eye on them). I am trying to be more efficient this time (given that there are so many costumes to do!).

[askyourgran]

Me too B00 I was thankful that my daughters school dressed all the children for their panto.

[sherrardk]

Hi Boxtops - do you just cut that out or does it need a frame? Going to have to use the sparkly net material and all that tinsel as well (now that I have bought the damn stuff) - should have asked for help before I went shopping.

[boxtops]

Sherrard, you need a frame, if you make the shaped frame out of your wire coathangers then I have found the best way is to stretch the fabric (stiffening or sheet) over the shaped coathangers, hold it in place with clothes pegs,first, then staple it in strategic places to hold it taut before you take off the clothes pegs - you can then stab through with big strong backstitches to hold it in place. The tinsel covers all the DIY.

[sherrardk]

Hi Boxtops - any ideas on how to shape the frames? I am not really sure what shape they should be - should they look like a heart shape if they are placed next to each other? My husband did the frames last time but he is so busy at work that I don't think he is going to have the patience to do them this time.

[boxtops]

I'm trying to find a pattern on the internet but they are either really complicated (with feathers!) or just suggest using cardboard! They do suggest using white tights as a base over each wing which is an alternative!
As I recall we left one angle of the hanger angled then undid all the rest to form a scoop at the bottom, a sort of pointy semicircle. You do need to have a way of putting ribbon on it at the top and bottom so the wings can be tied round the body and the wings don't just flop off. I can't remember how we did that bit.... ;-(

[sherrardk]

Knickers - hadn't considered actually attaching them to her!!! I haven't got the time for trial and error (what with all the other bloody costumes I've got to do). Got to start tomorrow on two pirate waistcoats which I am going to wonder-web together (haven't got a pattern mind you - how hard can it be?).

[boxtops]

if the wings are stiff enough and joined firmly together at the back, you can thread ribbon through at top and bottom of the join and fix with duct tape (together, not to the child, although there's an idea!)

[sherrardk]

My husband has just told me that angel wings are £3 on Ebay - have to make mine now though, spent more than that on flipping material and tinsel!

[boxtops]

O bUm!