Feather obsessions

Feathers are amazing structures and its no wonder they have been used in fashion since as long as people have been adorning themselves. There are a large number of feather types commonly used in fashion and even more ways to use them. In this post I am going to look at Ostrich. A versatile feather as it can be used as a whole feather or pulled apart.

feather and lace gold dress

This dress is probably the most simple way to use feathers, a light scattering of ostrich wisps applied to lace.  When feathers are added to light fabrics they are usually stitched which can be time consuming so to keep the numbers down can save time and effort. These feathers have been dyed to match the dress colour. Dying feathers is actually quite easy.

jummy choo feather wedding shoes

Shoes by Jimmy Choo, well outside of my budget but I wonder if some glue and feathers could make a more simple pair of heels this incredible?

feather ball gown

I am sure this couture feather skirt by Giambattista Valli was hand sewn individual tufts of feathers. It is possible to cheat a little as feathers are available already strung like a fringe. These fringes would then be applied to the skirt. 

Vintage feather cape.

Vintage feather cape.

This vintage cape is using Ostrich feathers in their natural untreated colour. These feathers are likely applied by splitting the main quill and sewing down each half.

Here are some feathers looking lovely for your enjoyment.

Feather ideas for wedding

feather ideas for wedding dress

 

 

Coloured veil

Here is a little collection of coloured veils. A bright coloured veil offers a wonderful contrast against a white dress. Use the same colour highlights throughout your bridesmaids flowers and invites to tie the whole look together. These images use mostly russian or birdcage veiling but colours can also be found in bridal tulle for a more traditional style.

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Shibori wonderland

Tie dye has been reborn. The Japanese art of Shibori with its fine crinkles and deep Indigo is far more sophisticated than the tie dye of school craft and hippy music festivals.

The dress below and above are amazing examples of dyeing techniques used on a finished dress to create complex details. I think the thing that appeals to me the most is the danger involved at the moment when you take the lovely silk dress and place it in the dye, hoping for the best.

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These dresses are made using a dye technique applied to the fabric before making. Less risky but still lovely.

shibori dress Indigo dress

Swiss dot Tulle, I love you too

I recently posted about how wonderful tulle is and if you didnt think it could get any better I still have 2 more posts to go.

Swiss dot tulle is a soft fine mesh speckled with tiny little embroidered dots. It can be softer than usual bridal tulle so used for more simple shapes where the dots are the main feature of the dress.

It also makes wonderful veils. Shown above a swiss dot tulle veil as the centreipeic of a wedding day, the dress a simple strapelss sheath. Below a stunning veil of swiss dot tulle edged with a cobweb of chantilly lace.

chantilli and swiss dot veil

A simpla asymmetric dress with layers of swiss dot tulle left raw edged.

swiss dot assymetric dress

The dots have a cuteness to them that lends itself well to 50’s style tea length dresses.

swiss dot dress long sleeves swiss dot elopment gown

I have seen swiss dot tulle in fabric shops I have visited as well as the fine cotton voile version which is just as lovely.