An Elizabethan Feather Fan
(Illustrations Coming Soon)
These instructions are for making a feathered fan of the type carried by upper and noble class Elizabethan ladies. These are not period methods, but they work well.
I like to use a handle made from some sort of utensil -- serving spoon, spatula, etc., with a turned wood handle. Inexpensive barbecue implements are about right.
Cut off the business end of the utensil, leaving about 4" of metal shaft above the wood handle. It's best if the shaft is flat, not round.
Then cut the base of the paddle shape. You can use thin wood or some other material. I use low density polyethylene plastic, which is slightly flexible and about 1/8" thick. Heavy cardboard or thin wood would also work. Cut a roundish piece, about 6" across.
Duct tape the handle to the paddle base, folding the tape around the base and using several layers to make sure it's secure. Sometimes I make a "bed" of hot glue for it to lie in, to make it more secure before I tape it.
Using hot glue, cover the upper 2/3 of the base, front and back, with feathers, starting with the longest feathers at the top. Glue on overlapping rows, fanning them out, and use different colors. Ostrich, peacock, and goose feathers are all appropriate, but they are expensive. Cheap marabou fluffs from the craft store can be used as the base, laying a few of the better ones on top.
Make a fabric cover for the base, that extends past the base of the first row of feathers. It can be rounded or come up in a point. Stitch and turn the bottom and sides, leaving an opening for the handle. Slip it over the handle, pull it up, and glue in place. Or, glue one side on, folding seam allowances to the other side and gluing. Then cut another piece with no seam allowances, glue on other side, and glue narrow trin to cover the raw edge.
Embellish this piece with jewels, pearls, or trim. You can put a small mirror on here, too. Glue a piece of trim over the edge of the mirror to finish it.
Craft stores such as Michael’s sell small ornamental picture hanging loops with screws. Attach one to the end of the handle, and hang it from your girdle.
