Simple Paper Feathers

By Bonnie Thomas|Dec 29 2014|

Assorted decorative feathers made from various patterned papers, including polka dots, text prints, stripes, and floral designs, arranged in a fan-like spread.

Simple paper feathers

Credit: Bonnie Thomas

As someone who frequently finds feathers out of doors, it’s ironic that I still get excited to make paper ones to add to my feather collection. I initially tried a few different tutorials for making paper feathers and they turned out well enough. Some were made with silver wire, floral wire or rolled paper for the feather stem. I tried feathers using templates to create various shapes; I tried different paper patterns; and I experimented with glitter and other add-ons. I liked them all, but it wasn’t until I sat down with my own materials and ideas that I came up with the ones I love the most.

The only drawback to these simple paper feathers is that they are small. But I prefer smaller feathers. I use the feathers to decorate cards and gifts; I use them in art projects (i.e. making dream catchers and garlands); I use them as cupcake toppers; and I use them for decoration. I covered my Christmas tree in them this year – all I had to do was stick them in the branches! They can also be tucked into napkins or placed on plates for a celebratory dinner or displayed like a bouquet in a jar. I even used one of the feathers as a bookmark.

Materials to Make Simple Paper Feathers

Paper of your choice – you can use scrapbook or other decorative paper, newspaper, sheet music, book pages, origami paper, or scrap paper.
All purpose glue or Mod Podge
Scissors
Wooden toothpicks
Binder hole reinforcements (optional) – these are found in office supply stores
Black Sharpie or other permanent ink pen (optional)

Directions to Make Simple Paper Feathers

Cut your paper into small rectangles – about 2″ x 3″.
You will need 2 paper rectangles per feather.
Apply a thin layer of glue or Mod Podge onto a paper rectangle.
Place a wooden toothpick into the center of that rectangle. Leave 1/4 of the toothpick sticking out of the feather to create the feather stem.
Add a little more glue to the exposed area of the toothpick.
Place another paper rectangle over the toothpick.
Press the papers together. Make sure to press all around and over the covered toothpick as well.
Repeat as needed, for as many feathers you are creating.
Allow the glue to dry thoroughly.
An alternative to the above steps: Cut longer strips of paper instead of individual rectangles. Place the toothpicks equidistant from each other along the paper strip. Make sure to allow room for cutting into rectangles. When the glue has dried thoroughly, cut the strip of paper into rectangles– one rectangle for each toothpick.

Steps in making Simple Paper Feathers
*Credit: Bonnie Thomas*

Trim around the edges of each rectangle to create an oval and/or feather shapes.

If you like the way the feather looks, as is, then you can skip the next few steps. Here is an example of paper feathers that I left as is:

Next, make small cuts up and down the feathers. Don’t cut all the way to the toothpick center or the feather might fall apart.

If you like, you can add some detail to your feathers by making black polka dots or stripes at the feather tips. If you do so, you might want to leave these intact (not trimmed).

You can also add binder hole reinforcements to your feathers to make a pattern. I made some feathers using three of the binder hole reinforcements in a vertical line, then colored in the circles.

Simple paper feathers using binder hole reinforcements
*Credit: Bonnie Thomas*

I hope you enjoy making these paper feathers as much as I did – they are easy to make, fun to share, and versatile!

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Bonnie Thomas

Bonnie Thomas works as a child and family therapist in southern Maine and is also an established artist and author. She has published several books with Jessica Kingsley Publishers, including Creative Coping Skills for Children: Emotional Support Through Arts and How to Get Kids Offline, Outdoors, and Connecting With Nature.

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