INKED and SEWN: DIY Native American Costume

This year I was a Native American but instead of just attaching feathers to tousled hair or tying a band around my forehead I wanted to go all out and create a feather headdress .

You will need:

Feathers (Small & large)

Twine

Hot Glue

A Thick Headband

Piece of Thick Fabric

Fabric Trim

Beads
Shot Bottle

I chose to get my feathers from a wreath that was on sale because I liked the iridescent green effect and the quality of the feathers was a lot nicer than the craft feathers .

I also found these white feathers with a black tip which I thought would add a cool effect to the headpiece. Glue 5- 7 smaller feathers around the base of the larger feathers and add a twine effect by wrapping it around the smaller feathers.

Complete 9 of these

Take your headband and thick fabric (I used a scrap of black jean material from a previous project). Glue it to a thick headband in a "bandanna shape". Add small black feathers to cover this fabric starting at the bottom and working your way up. Because we don't have white feathers going all the way around it will be a cool space filler and look better from behind. Once you cover the fabric add the 9 white feathers in a fan motion. You may notice some feathers lean to the right or to the left. Place them on the correct sides so they fan out better. cover the stems of the feathers with the Native American trim (about $2.99 per yard at Joannes). Embellish the fabric with black beads or a color of your choice. Finish it off by attaching braided twine and glue 2 feathers to the end.

This is what your result will look like from the side.

I also made a "medicine pouch" which was really a Godiva Shot bottle covered in fabric and twine.

Cover the bottle with the same trim as your headpiece and wrap the twine around the neck of the bottle.

Tie a piece of the twine to make a necklace and add a piece of the trim at the top so the twine will fit comfortably on your neck throughout the night.