Plush Peahen Costume

Intro:
I had a blast making my Plush Homemade Peahen. Knowing I could make it as huge and dramatic as I wanted was really exciting. It was pretty simple to make. After ordering the materials I made it over about three days, giving things time to dry and to be touched up.
I made:
-The plush tail with the large bow and belt.
-The colorful tutu.
-The feathered gloves and mask.
I ordered:
-Turquoise corset.
-About 50 peacock feathers, mostly “eye” feathers and some “T” feathers.
-About 3yrds of turquoise, green, and black tulle.
-About 1yrd of turquoise satin.
-Black lace gloves, mask, and tights.
-The entire wardrobe cost from $50-$100 depending.
All in all the outfit came together easier than I expected. At first I went a little over board and made the feathers and tutu very huge. I ended up having to make the belt bigger and to have a stronger fastener to hold up the feathers. Also I had to take some tulle off and cut it down so I would be able to have my arms down comfortably and to walk through doorways. After I scaled things down I found it very easy to walk and dance around in, although I had to be careful not to hit people in the face with my feathers when I turned around. I would definitely recommend making all parts of the costume beforehand and being able to wear the entire ensemble for a few hours to see how it will wear and hold up.
Step 1: The Plush Tail with Large Bow
To make the tail I started with a sturdy piece of cardboard cut to the size of my back, about 10 inches wide by 4 inches high. I used a very strong crafts glue to glue most of the feathers (saved some for the gloves and mask) onto the cardboard, the front and the back, making sure that the side that will be facing outward had more of the “eyes” of the feathers showing. Then I glued a several “T” feathers to the top to stick out higher. I let it dry overnight.
Next I made the large bow and belt to cover the ends of the feathers on the cardboard and to attach it to me. For the bow I made a little tube from the satin then pulled a large piece threw it to create the loop look. Then I cut a piece to the size I needed to cover the cardboard and sewed it on by hand. Then I made a large strap that was long enough to wrap around myself one and one half times with Velcro on the ends to stay on nice and tight. I again sewed it on by hand to the cardboard with the bow on top. I also sewed the tops of the bow loops to the feather stems so it would stand up straight.
Step 2: The Colorful Tutu
I used turquoise, green, and black tulle but any colors can be used to make any range of costumes. I started with a piece of thick elastic a little smaller than my waist because it will stretch out a little in the process. I cut the tulle into strips about 12 inches long by 3 inches wide. Taking one blue, one green, and one black bunched together and folding them in half and looping them through themselves around the elastic. Once I covered the elastic, I cut the tulle from the bottom up to make it wispier and to give it the look of a real tutu. Then I also tied on blue and green ribbon and “T” feathers around.
Step 3: The Black Lace Gloves, Mask, & Accessories
I ordered gloves and a mask online and just jazzed them up a little. With the lace gloves I sewed some of the turquoise satin inside to make several “eyes” of feathers pop and be easier to sew to. With the mask I glued more feathers to it and put on turquoise jewels (I did somehow lose my mask on the first night, so no pictures).
Finally I finished the outfit with a turquoise corset with black lace, black lace tights and black heals for the scaled legs and talons. Also I found bright turquoise eye shadow and glitter. It was important to put my hair up to make sure not to ruin the feathers, because they were very close to my back. I put it in a ponytail then took sections and twisted it down, and clasped the ends down to be poking out for a feathery/ messy look.
Then all you have to do is strut you sexy peahen walk and have yourself a pleasant time!