I would like to know if there are any resources for making a fan, not the closeable ones, but the type that stays open.
i purchased some wooden squared dowels and figured to just cross the ends, and wrap the fabric around,
but if there are any websites or suggestions, id greatly appreciate it :)
Here are 2 sites that I was able to find. I think the second one is better as it has pictures and detailed instuctions. Hope this helps.
http://www.directcon.net/wander/fan.htm
http://www.vertetsable.com/demos_fans.htm
I recently made a feather fan that was a combination of several styles I'd seen online.
The handle is a wooden spatula from Hobby Lobby. I shortened the handle a couple of inches, drilled a hole in the end for a ribbon, and stained it.
When the stain was completely dry (24h at least) I used "craft and costume" glue to glue down a layer of 6-inch turkey (?) quills to serve as a base. I had to trim the long ends to get it all to fit neatly. Next I filled it in with a layer of cheap "fluffy" feathers. On top of that I added the black goose feather thingies and ostrich eyes. Be sure to let the glue dry a couple of hours in between layers of feathers. When everything was dry I hot glued some trim (about half a yard?) around the base of the handle to cover up the ends of the feathers. Lastly I craft-glued (I tried hot glue first, but it fell off) a small mirror to the back and threaded a ribbon and tassel through the handle. All the supplies, including the tiny bottle of water-based wood stain, came from Hobby Lobby.
In the pictures the fan is propped up on a phonebook as it dries because the feathers are curved and it did not rest flat on the table.
I think I spent about $25 for the feathers and everything, but I have enough left over to make a couple more fans.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/ladykatla/IM005719.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/ladykatla/IM005717.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/ladykatla/IM005718.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/ladykatla/IM005722.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/ladykatla/IM005723.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/ladykatla/IM005726.jpg)
that is a very nice fan tigerlilly :)
now when you fan yourself, does it create a nice breeze? i am looking to make a fan for style and use, i dont want to be sweating up a storm in my garb, lol
Well done Tigerlilly. I like that very much! I was poking about in Michaels the other day looking for something to make a fan base with and seeing a wooden spatula thought...hmmm close but I can't quite make that work. Seems you figured out how!
Thank you for the compliments. It was sort of an experiment, but I'm happy with the way it turned out.
I haven't tried using it at faire yet, but it does make a nice breeze. It works better than the fluffy ostrich-feather fans, which imo are mostly for show. It's made from stiff wing feathers, and moving air is what wing feathers are for, after all! ;)
Quote from: tigerlilly on August 20, 2008, 12:57:01 PM
Thank you for the compliments. It was sort of an experiment, but I'm happy with the way it turned out.
I haven't tried using it at faire yet, but it does make a nice breeze. It works better than the fluffy ostrich-feather fans, which imo are mostly for show. It's made from stiff wing feathers, and moving air is what wing feathers are for, after all! ;)
good point..now i wish that i didnt spend all my money on fabric and supplies lol,