Feather Headdress

Feathers are used by many native people around the world. They are used to make headdresses, masks and to adorn clothes. Australian Aborigines even glued emu feathers to their feet to enable them to walk without leaving a trace!

This easy headdress pattern is based on one of the many types used by American Indians.

Make dozens of headdresses and have residents, staff and visitors celebrate the native people of the world!

Materials

• Construction paper, any colour
• Feathers of several colours and sizes
• Glue
• Scissors
• Masking/duct tape
• Stapler
• Decorations: Colored markers, paint, lace, ethnic fabric or whatever else you have on hand

Instructions

• Cut strips of construction paper for the base of the headbands:
  Width: 1 ¼ inches or 3 cm.
  Length: Measure around the head for an accurate length however the rule of thumb is 23 inches or 60 cm long
• Decorate one side of headband as you like.
• Mark the middle of the headband on the other side with a dot.
• Glue large feathers on the marked dot.
• Allow to dry and place tape over the top for better adherence.
• Glue smaller feathers for decorations (cut quills for easy gluing).
  The arrangement of feathers is up to individual making it; small feathers don’t need their quills cut.
• Fasten the ends of the headband with a staple.