Best place for feathers?

[Obadiah Jib]

So I want a bunch of feathers in my hat.  A healthy amount of plumage but tough enough to handle the rigors of a Festival/ Faire.  What do you suggest?

[UrsulaChandler]

I don't really wear plumed hats but I think the most secure way to attach to the hat is to use a large pin on one side of the hat. You can support and tuck the ends of the feathers in with a ribbon. Put the pin between the center and front of the side to give balance.

I've never seen dropped or mangled feathers at my faire so it must not be terribly difficult. On rainy days they wilt but spring up again when they dry out.

[Tygrkat]

If you're wondering where the best place to purchase feathers would be, I would suggest Ebay. I found tons of feathers for sale there, and purchased 200 peacock feathers for about $50.00 including shipping. They had all manner of types and colors of feathers available, ranging from just a few to larger lots ( we were using them to decorate for our wedding, and had plenty!)

[Master James]

As far as types of feathers to use, almost all feathers will hold up if you give them just a bit of care.  The most delicate feathers seem to be Peacock but they still will hold up for at least 2 seasons with a little bit of care.  As far as a place to buy feathers, I've looked far and wide and found http://www.tonyhill.net/productCat43986.ctlg to be the best place.  Their prices are good, service is execellent and they ship fast.  I usually get my order in 3 days for normal shipping costs.  And one time when I came up short on my order I called them up and they sent out the requested feathers with no questions asked other than what I was missing and had them in 2 days.

[Taffy Saltwater]

My favorite thing to do w/feathers is to trim the bottom at an angle, stack them in you desired manner, & glue them into a boutoniere holder.

You can either pin it to your hat or stack 3 or 4 groups in your brim - I wear a cocked - tricorn - hat.  The weight will help them stay put.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gold-Boutonniere-Holder-Lapel-Pin-Vase-Wedding_W0QQitemZ180272561101QQihZ008QQcategoryZ3268QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

[Adriana Rose]

I tie my feathers togeather with a hair tie that way they can be moved around if I want to,

There is a bunch of good web sites to get feathers from here are a few that I know off the top of my noggin

Hollywood Fancy Feather Company- They are reasonable with their pricing
Ostrich.com- they have a lot of really neat stuff on thier site

but like every one has said ebay is gonna be your best bet

If you do get your feathers wet DONT MESS WITH THEM!! when they are wet they pick up the oils off your fingers and stay that way! Let them dry and them give them a good shake to fluff them up again!

[DonaCatalina]

Ordered tons of feathers from these people..........never been unhappy. You can tell I prefer ostrich.
http://www.ostrich.com/

[Obadiah Jib]

I guess I was thinking in terms of location to buy feathers.  Of course how to wear them is important too!  I tuck them into my hat most often but would try another way.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I would like to ask my question, too, since there is such a group of knowledgeable people answering the questions on this thread.  It always blows me away how many people in the RF forum know so much about so many different things!

When I went on the different sites, there were so many terms, I don't understand them.  Do we want to buy ostrich feathers or ostrich plumes?  What's the difference?  There are so many sizes, too.  What do most of you use for either Cavalier hats or pirate hats?    What is the difference between a drab, a tail, or a spad?

All input is appreciated.  Thanks a bunch!

Hugs,
Renee

[Taffy Saltwater]

My favorite place for feddas:  http://www.plumesnfeathers.com


spad: http://www.ostrich.com/feather/of-spad-18-bleach-dye.html

general guide:  http://www.ostrich.com/feather/index.html

I personally like the looong male wing plumes.  Those are the ones that droop on the sides and tips.  The plume can be shaped into a curve by making indents on the underside of the rib w/a butter knife about every inch or so.

Some neat footage of an ostrich showing off his feddas:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6Km2JyhW_g&feature=related

[DonaCatalina]

I would like to ask my question, too, since there is such a group of knowledgeable people answering the questions on this thread.  It always blows me away how many people in the RF forum know so much about so many different things!

When I went on the different sites, there were so many terms, I don't understand them.  Do we want to buy ostrich feathers or ostrich plumes?  What's the difference?  There are so many sizes, too.  What do most of you use for either Cavalier hats or pirate hats?    What is the difference between a drab, a tail, or a spad?

All input is appreciated.  Thanks a bunch!

Hugs,
Renee

This is how it was explained to me;
A drad is a body feather
A plume is a male wing tip feather
A Spad a structural wing feather
and a tail is just that, a tail feather.
Like Taffy says, the long male plumes are the most sought after for cavalier era hats because they are long, and fluffy.
Don_Juan_deCordoba wears a long white male plume in his hat. My profile pic shows my hat with several female spads, which are fluffier than the drabs, but not nearly as long as the plumes.
I know. It's confusing.

[Lady Christina de Pond]

hmmmm with my cavalier's hat tied them into the gold cord around the hat and covered that with the flap up they managed well with all the wind that Garf tossed at it.

[Obadiah Jib]

I often 'break' feathers.  They tend to crash into other cast or pieces of the village as I saunter about.  Nothing worse than a pirate with bent and battered feathers.

By the way Taffy you have a nice amount of plumage in your avatar.  That is what I am attempting to create!

[Taffy Saltwater]

There are four different sets of feathers set into pins on my hat.  The pins give the feathers a nice base & hold them in formation & by having several different pins I can move them - one, two, or more - to another hat.