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Sunnybrook1 — Realistic Wing Tutorial - P.5
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Published: 2011-01-23 09:40:03 +0000 UTC; Views: 97097; Favourites: 811; Downloads: 1166
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Description
Made in Photoshop this time!
3/22/10: My first video showing wing-movement ~
12/3/13: My second video showing two wing's movement~
7/6/17: Fixed a stray bubble & added another view of how each feather looks with coverts attached, hope that helps clear up some confusion.
8/5/17: Disney animator describes the Mechanics of Bird Flight - watch for the useful description of how wings are built from 8:40 - 11:31.
Part 0 - MATERIALS
Part 0.5 - TOOLS
Part 1 - CONCEPT
Part 2 - FEATHERS
Part 3 - HARNESS
Part 4 - ASSEMBLY
Part 5 - COVERTS
YOU ARE HERE Part 6 - ARM-COVER WIP
EXTRA - RESULTS : See what OTHER people have made following this tutorial~
Already finished your wings? Please fill out this questionnaire , I'd love to hear about it!
Wing Design/Tutorial © Sunnybrook1
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Comments: 129
Wow, this sounds like a project alright! 
Thanks for sharing your story!
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I don't quite understand how the Coverts are placed on when we're done and where they attatch?
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Sorry for taking so long to answer this question! 
Here's the cropped version:
It's easier to attach the coverts in groups (example: all of the pink/back coverts) but once attached, if you were to separate one of the primary/secondary feathers from the wing it would look like the ones above.
Does that help?
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You wouldn't happen to have a template for crow coverts in the same way you had a template for the primaries and secondaries, would you?
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No I don't, there were so many of them, ugh, but luckily their shape was fairly simple and unvaried (just had about 3 sizes, with some cut down to a bit to smooth the transitions between them) - I may make the 3 staple sizes & post patterns to those, then it's just make a ton of those out of poster board, fit them to your specific wing & cut/adjust as needed.
I don't have said wing anymore, but I bet I could scribble out the rough shape that I used from the photos - would that help?
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i know this may seem like a repetitive question but when you put the fabric on your wings did you glue them on or did something else? Also if you have the time could you make this into a video tutorial? Its just a little easier to understand how you did certain things.(I'm also planing on making some soon)
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No problem - think of the feathers as a fabric-wire-glue/paint sandwich (aka I used wall paint, but glue works as well, like Elmers glue) - with the fabric as the bread, the wire as the filling, and the paint/glue as the mayo that holds it all together.
And video tutorials someday, I've been learning how to edit videos and footage together... *digs around in her video folder*...hey, I have one of me painting feathers actually. 
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Ok thank you so much for making these awesome tutorials, and also good luck on the editing process
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Quite the engineering problem. Kudos to you for figuring it out.
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Well they aren't perfect, but I like'em - thanks~
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Hey Sunnybrook1, I was just wondering if you use the cardboard cutout only as a pattern see what your wings will look like and for as a pattern for the fabric part or if they are used in the assembly of the wing as well? Do you use the cardboard or the fabric for the actual wings part? Thanks.
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I've only used them for silhouette testing & patterning, BUT I've seen others use the cardboard AS the feather base.
I've found that posterboard is a passable substitute, much thinner though not as long-lived as fabric (though, again, much cheaper).
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I first saw your tutorial about a year ago and found it so inspiring I decided to make plans for my own wings-- but like a typical steampunker I have to be horribly impractical about it and try something different. Hopefully before the next event I attend I'll be sporting my own pair of wings, rather than on my arms worn like a pack, with ratcheting joints and a bamboo skeletal system. ^_~
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Ahhh, that still sounds cool!
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Almost there-- I have less than 2 weeks left before I need to have them wearable but here's some update photos.
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The stiffness of the leather is keeping the feathers from unfurling like I would prefer them to, but that can be a thing I troubleshoot at a later date (maybe after they're worked a little it won't be an issue anymore) and I definitely need more feathers in the near future but for now the more pressing stuff...
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Just curious, anything new on the progress of your wings?
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Oh goodness! It's been ages and I totally forgot to share my adventure!
So, the redesign of a few things was both good and not so good. First of all, as a steampunk apparatus they weighed a TON but the corset and the padded back plate were good enough to keep me from topping backward or snapping my spine in half. Second, I should have used locking washers or teeny tiny rubber bands to keep all my little nuts and bolts in place--- actually the vibration of my footsteps caused them to unscrew themselves so it was constant maintenance from my helpful engineering assistant. Not too long after the event I ended up having to pack them away for a move and have yet to be able to make the modifications and improvements I want to before I wear them next. I never imagined moving into a place that was only slightly smaller than my old one would cause so many issues. HOWEVER! Here's my favorite photo of the wings during the event.
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Wow, these look great, wish there was more photos/video especially of how they look closed - and yeah, using some kind of locking washer is a smart idea~
Super steampunk and sturdy, hope they last you a long while and many revamps~
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Okay i'm currently using your tutorial to create the wings for a Monet cosplay from One Piece, and no matter how many times i read through this specific part, i just cant see where the posterboard comes into it? I see you mention posterboard at the top, but afterwards it goes to paper and i don't know what to do... should i use paper to do the coverts or should i use posterboard?
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Lol, it's under step 1 - I use the posterboard to make patterns that I can cut & attach to the fabric feathers for placement tests, then I mark them (so I know how they go back on, remove them & use them to cut out the fabric coverts.
BUT it's up to you!
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aaaaahh gotcha, makes sense given the fact you've only used one piece.
One more question and I think that'd set me on the right track to completing this, on the harness there's one buckle sewn to clip onto the wing elastic strap, is there another attached to the other side? Because it doesn't seem like there is on any of your pictures but I don't see how it'd work any other way.
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Yes, the harness design should be symmetrical when finished~ d(^-^)b
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aaah thank you! i'll add that second buckle, thank god i didnt sew that yet haha.
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phew...this looks like a LOT of work. I just made my first fursuit quite a bit ago and that was fun to wrestle with. Now I want a Medli cosplay with wings. I'll piece together some ideas and have a freind help me out. Thanks so much for this! I probably would never have found out this project until i made so many pairs of wings.
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Could I use foam bord its like a poster bord but lighter and thicker or poaster bord to make the feathers? Sorry bunch of miss spelling I'm using phone lol
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I've used posterboard successfully in the past, not sure about foamboard since it's so thick - give it a try!
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OK lol thank you so much
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These are FABULOUS!!!!! I am trying to make them for a Phoenix costume for Halloween. I am not understanding how you attached the coverts to the flight feathers. Where do they attach? to the feather themselves or to the wire hanger part, or both? did you glue them? staple them? Sew them? Please help!!!!
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They attach to the actual feather itself & I still use staples, though need a better stapler with stronger staples, I keep shedding coverts every con.
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Don't worry about the delay
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THANK YOU for putting these tutorials together! They are so useful!
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Thank you so much for this tutorial. Im cosplaying as Lucifer from supernatural in 2 weeks at the Toronto fan expo, and im currently halfway done my wings. So far they are looking pretty badass. So ya thank you so much for your help.
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Oooh, are they back wings? I wanna see back-wings done in this style (only pair I've seen are EPIC but not in the USA 
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How long until you think Part 6 will be done? I'm actually starting to get supplies, because this is the coolest project EVER, and I have to give it a try!
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Argh, that IS the question of the hour - I've finished moving now so am aiming to get it done this month, but we'll see, my funds are limited right now...
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I wish you much luck! I'm hoping to get a friend and start on making some wings of my own, at long last
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Ok, part 6 not quite finished but definitely getting there, here's a link
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zis iz beautiful. ooooooooooooooooh cant wait for part 6. loks so complex and awesome dud
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All this tutorial is so perfect. The movement of your video *-* ..I can't get over it they look so pretty. I want to try to make my own wings ;w;
Thanks for the amazing tutorial and video, you're extremely talented & creative andandand I dont know what else to say it's so perfect ;v ;..
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Awww thanks for the comment, I'm glad you like and hope your wings turn out great!
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I was planing a bird suit,
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Colorful~ But the BAAAAT would be cool! I don't have the time or materials to try that, hrm maybe a miniature though...I think this pivot-point style would work quite well for this, kind of like THIS costume~
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I need this for a Pidgeot Cosplay, so thank you for making this tutorial!!!!!!!! where is part 6????
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Ah, These are perfect for Pokemon costumes! I'm hoping to finish this month (now that I've moves & funds permitting), my apologies for the delay... m(_ _)m
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