I love crafts that help you make one outfit look like many. It doesn’t matter to me whether that craft has a simple name or a fancy one. When you make an epaulet you create a gorgeous clip for a dress, blouse, or even a jacket. An epaulet might sound fancy but it’s easy to make and looks snazzy on many different types of outfits. The dress clip is especially lovely if you make it with feathers. You can find a small assortment of feathers at a craft store but you’ll have many more choices if you order online.
Cut two ovals of felt which will blend in with the particular feathers you want to use. For example, white felt for white feathers or black felt for dark feathers. When using feathers of more than one color choose the prominent color of the feathers and select felt that closely matches it. Cut the felt pieces to be about three inches wide and four inches long.
To prepare for attaching the feathers onto the oval pieces, separate them into categories, of long, medium, short, and those that are tiny and delicate. Set one oval in front of you so that one of the short sides faces you. Use hot glue and begin attaching feathers onto the felt. Just place a dab of hot glue on the quill and stick it to the top, rounded area of the felt. Work your way down, adding rows of feathers, using only the largest ones for now. Place some of the feathers so that they go straight down and others so that they point out to the sides.
After the first layer is complete, do another layer, using the medium feathers. Then, add another layer of small feathers and a final layer of wispy ones. Make the other oval in the same manner.
Purchase a snap-type barrette and use one for each oval. Apply hot glue to the top of the barrette, turn it upside-down, and stick it to the backside of the felt oval. Position it so that it is at one of the rounded ends – the end that the quills are facing. Also, the barrette should be glued so that it goes, vertically, down the center of the oval.
There are lots of things you can do with the epaulet. Make one of feathers or one that features rhinestones. Wear only one, by clipping it to the shoulder, or wear one on each side. Or, just clip one at the middle, front of your dress or blouse for a unique look. You can also gather the side of a knee-length or higher dress and clip the barrette for an interesting hem accent. Wear them for Halloween or wear them to dress up an office outfit after hours. They’re fabulous.
Feather Epaulet