Bustle Construction - Page 2

bwhite · 01-31-2003, 12:38 PM

Thanks randyinkc. That pipe cleaner trick is pretty neat.

At this point, all outside rows of hackles have been tied. Some people will go ahead and tie the inner row of hackles in the next step.

I prefer to go ahead and extend the quills here. The extended quill gives me more to hold on to while tying the inner row of hackles.

Extending the quills is fairly simple. Most people use wooden dowel rods. If anyone else has any ideas on what to use, please share them.

You will see now, the importance of pulling the fluff off of the base of the spike. This makes it ALOT easier to measure for the extensions.

I start by cutting off the quill approximately 1.5 inches below the start of the webbing. If you have enough quill on all of your feathers to cut 2.0 inches below the webbing, you may choose to do that.

You will notice that some of the feathers have a white pith in the quill. This can be removed with a drill. Just be careful not to drill through the side of the quill.

Buy dowel rods that most closely match the diameter of the quills. However, stick with one size dowel. Don't mix sizes. Remember, weight is an issue, so consider that when buying dowels. 1/4" is usually a good size.

Simply sharpen one end of the dowel rod and insert it into the hollow quill. I've found that Elmer's Wood Glue works really well here. It makes an extremely strong bond with the wood and the quill of the feather. Wipe of the excess glue when it oozes out.

After it dries, measure down from the BASE OF THE WEBBING and cut the dowel at the desired length. For this set of bustles the extensions would probably be 4" to 6" depending on the size of the dancer.

If you cut the dowels before you insert them into the quills, they may not all end up the same length. This is because some dowels go further into the quill than others.

I hope all of that made sense.

bwhite · 01-31-2003, 12:41 PM

It is ok...... in fact it's pretty much unavoidable that some of the quills will split when you insert the dowel rod. This is fine. If you know that the quill is too small, sometimes I'll split the end of the quill in a couple of places with an exacto knife before I insert the dowel. This way, the quill kind of wraps itself around the dowel.

If it splits, simply wipe off the excess and tie it tight with string until the glue dries or maybe wrap it with tape to ensure a good bond. This string or tape can be removed once the glue dries.

bwhite · 02-06-2003, 02:30 PM

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been really busy, but I haven't forgotten. I hope to post more soon.

DanceswithLightning · 02-26-2003, 05:54 PM

The way I do it, get a thin towel, place on a hard surface. Put the iron on steam. put the feather in the middle of the towel and steam it straight. I will put it curve side up, so the weight and pressure will help straighten it. Usually I will have to take it out of the towel and curve it in the opposite direction of the curve. It works perfectly for eagle feathers or turkey.

Danceswithlightning

**spottedeagle** · 03-06-2003, 12:03 PM

Great thread BWhite!!!!!!!! Lots of great info!!!!!!!!! I've been trying to decide wether to build my first bustle or have someone make me one. Still haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning toward building my own more and more

nativ_5_o · 03-10-2003, 03:28 PM

The biggest problem I am having now is how to mount them so that they are shaped correctly and that they don't come apart during a contest. Both of my sons are dancing this style and we have worked really hard on making the bustles, but I'm stuck on this part.HELP!:) :)

**Furiously-Fancy** · 03-25-2003, 11:15 PM

BWhite,
Sounds like you know what your'e talking about. What I like about your instructions, besides the clear illustrations and the step-by-step clarity .....is the fact that you stress being neat. Several pretty tough fancy dancers wear some bustles with nice hackles, but you can tell they did a rush job and just wanted to get'em done. Couple of things you didn't mention or maybe I missed it...was the fact that many dancers now days prefer to leave the curve in the spike for the bowed out look. Another thing not touched on was how us guys keep these things on, without getting choked or too uncomfortable. Some questions for you...

1. Do you make bustles for sale?
2. If so, how much do you charge?
3. How long does it take you to complete a set?
4. Where do you get your strung saddle hackles, 8-10 inch?
5. How much do you pay /ounce?

Get back to me ASAP!

Thanks.

Furiously Fancy

BeadMan · 03-26-2003, 02:08 AM

Some good observations. I am not aware of a trend to keep the bow in bustle feathers. Except for swing bustles (or eagle wing bustles) Every good set of hackle bustles I have ever seen have straightened feathers. It's all part of the neatness that you talked about. If you leave the feathers bowed they will not be as neat, because not all feathers bow the same.

If anyone has any pictures of good hackle bustles made with unstraightened feathers I'd appreciate a copy. Let me know.

**Furiously-Fancy** · 03-26-2003, 11:34 AM

Beadman,
Many top name dancers wear the "Bow-style". These kind of bustles have a curve in them, but it's not necessarily the natural curve of the feather. Feathers are still bent to match one another, even though they are not straight.

Furiously-Fancy

bwhite · 03-26-2003, 01:05 PM

I've never seen bustles with a lot of curve. All of the bustles I've seen have straightened feathers. Sometimes, I guess, with heat and humidity, the feathers will have a tendency to go back to their original shape. But if you do a good job of straightening, this won't be an issue.

nativ_5_o · 03-27-2003, 02:47 PM

Its not the problem of the spikes going back to their original shape, its that I haven't had any help in mounting them on a base and having them stay cupped right and strudy so that they don't look all messed up for contest dancing. sorry its hard for me to explain, I just have no clue how to do it.......HELP!

Tiyospaye Yazzie · 03-27-2003, 04:59 PM

Thanks alot bwhite. I've always wondered how to put together a bustle. Of course I'll probably try a small one first then one to my size (5'11"). Really again I want to thank you. Really really thank you.

bwhite · 04-24-2003, 10:22 AM

Alright, back to the bustles. I've attached a picture showing how to insert the sharpened dowel.

bwhite · 04-24-2003, 10:47 AM

Once the dowel is inserted and glued into the quill, it should be cut off to the desired length as mentioned earlier. Attached is a drawing of an extended feather. Notice the small crack in the quill.

bwhite · 04-24-2003, 11:00 AM

After all of the quills have been extended with the dowels, you have to put "loops" on the ends of all the dowels so that you can string the primary lace.

I have used several different materials to do this. I like strong leather the best. I have also used plastic cable ties that you can get from any hardware store.

I've never used it, but i've seen it used, and it looks like it works well are the thin nylon straps that are used to bundle newspapers, cardboard and other stuff like that.
<

02-26-2003, 05:54 PM	#24 (permalink)
DanceswithLightning Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Chilliwack, BC and Seattle, WA Posts: 36	bustle construction The way I do it, get a thin towel, place on a hard surface. Put the iron on steam. put the feather in the middle of the towel and steam it straight. I will put it curve side up, so the weight and pressure will help straighten it. Usually I will have to take it out of the towel and curve it in the opposite direction of the curve. It works perfectly for eagle feathers or turkey. Danceswithlightning __________________ DanceswithLightning I am the lightning that you see in the sky. Beautiful to look at, impossible to touch. If I touch you, you will never be the same.

03-06-2003, 12:03 PM	#25 (permalink)
spottedeagle FANMAKR Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Soaring over you Posts: 4,471	Great thread BWhite!!!!!!!! Lots of great info!!!!!!!!! I've been trying to decide wether to build my first bustle or have someone make me one. Still haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning toward building my own more and more __________________ The things you are doing today are the traditions of twenty-five years from now. -Daryl Baldwin: Miami

03-10-2003, 03:28 PM	#26 (permalink)
nativ_5_o Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: california Posts: 57	bustle constuction The biggest problem I am having now is how to mount them so that they are shaped correctly and that they don't come apart during a contest. Both of my sons are dancing this style and we have worked really hard on making the bustles, but I'm stuck on this part.HELP!:) :)

03-27-2003, 02:47 PM	#31 (permalink)
nativ_5_o Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: california Posts: 57	regarding bustles Its not the problem of the spikes going back to their original shape, its that I haven't had any help in mounting them on a base and having them stay cupped right and strudy so that they don't look all messed up for contest dancing. sorry its hard for me to explain, I just have no clue how to do it.......HELP!

03-27-2003, 04:59 PM	#32 (permalink)
Tiyospaye Yazzie "Ishka N'zin H'aa" Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Tucson, for now... Posts: 442	Thanks alot bwhite. I've always wondered how to put together a bustle. Of course I'll probably try a small one first then one to my size (5'11"). Really again I want to thank you. Really really thank you. __________________ "I Ahula Ula" Enjoying the ride. BETA SIGMA EPSILON

01-31-2003, 12:38 PM	#21 (permalink)
bwhite Teen Dancer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: wilmington, nc, usa Posts: 300	Thanks randyinkc. That pipe cleaner trick is pretty neat. At this point, all outside rows of hackles have been tied. Some people will go ahead and tie the inner row of hackles in the next step. I prefer to go ahead and extend the quills here. The extended quill gives me more to hold on to while tying the inner row of hackles. Extending the quills is fairly simple. Most people use wooden dowel rods. If anyone else has any ideas on what to use, please share them. You will see now, the importance of pulling the fluff off of the base of the spike. This makes it ALOT easier to measure for the extensions. I start by cutting off the quill approximately 1.5 inches below the start of the webbing. If you have enough quill on all of your feathers to cut 2.0 inches below the webbing, you may choose to do that. You will notice that some of the feathers have a white pith in the quill. This can be removed with a drill. Just be careful not to drill through the side of the quill. Buy dowel rods that most closely match the diameter of the quills. However, stick with one size dowel. Don't mix sizes. Remember, weight is an issue, so consider that when buying dowels. 1/4" is usually a good size. Simply sharpen one end of the dowel rod and insert it into the hollow quill. I've found that Elmer's Wood Glue works really well here. It makes an extremely strong bond with the wood and the quill of the feather. Wipe of the excess glue when it oozes out. After it dries, measure down from the BASE OF THE WEBBING and cut the dowel at the desired length. For this set of bustles the extensions would probably be 4" to 6" depending on the size of the dancer. If you cut the dowels before you insert them into the quills, they may not all end up the same length. This is because some dowels go further into the quill than others. I hope all of that made sense.

01-31-2003, 12:41 PM	#22 (permalink)
bwhite Teen Dancer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: wilmington, nc, usa Posts: 300	It is ok...... in fact it's pretty much unavoidable that some of the quills will split when you insert the dowel rod. This is fine. If you know that the quill is too small, sometimes I'll split the end of the quill in a couple of places with an exacto knife before I insert the dowel. This way, the quill kind of wraps itself around the dowel. If it splits, simply wipe off the excess and tie it tight with string until the glue dries or maybe wrap it with tape to ensure a good bond. This string or tape can be removed once the glue dries.

02-06-2003, 02:30 PM	#23 (permalink)
bwhite Teen Dancer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: wilmington, nc, usa Posts: 300	Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been really busy, but I haven't forgotten. I hope to post more soon.

03-25-2003, 11:15 PM	#27 (permalink)
Furiously-Fancy PowWows.com Addicts Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Washakie,WY Posts: 3,907	BWhite, Sounds like you know what your'e talking about. What I like about your instructions, besides the clear illustrations and the step-by-step clarity .....is the fact that you stress being neat. Several pretty tough fancy dancers wear some bustles with nice hackles, but you can tell they did a rush job and just wanted to get'em done. Couple of things you didn't mention or maybe I missed it...was the fact that many dancers now days prefer to leave the curve in the spike for the bowed out look. Another thing not touched on was how us guys keep these things on, without getting choked or too uncomfortable. Some questions for you... 1. Do you make bustles for sale? 2. If so, how much do you charge? 3. How long does it take you to complete a set? 4. Where do you get your strung saddle hackles, 8-10 inch? 5. How much do you pay /ounce? Get back to me ASAP! Thanks. Furiously Fancy

03-26-2003, 02:08 AM	#28 (permalink)
BeadMan Beadworker Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Northeast Iowa Posts: 410	Some good observations. I am not aware of a trend to keep the bow in bustle feathers. Except for swing bustles (or eagle wing bustles) Every good set of hackle bustles I have ever seen have straightened feathers. It's all part of the neatness that you talked about. If you leave the feathers bowed they will not be as neat, because not all feathers bow the same. If anyone has any pictures of good hackle bustles made with unstraightened feathers I'd appreciate a copy. Let me know.

03-26-2003, 11:34 AM	#29 (permalink)
Furiously-Fancy PowWows.com Addicts Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Washakie,WY Posts: 3,907	Beadman, Many top name dancers wear the "Bow-style". These kind of bustles have a curve in them, but it's not necessarily the natural curve of the feather. Feathers are still bent to match one another, even though they are not straight. Furiously-Fancy

03-26-2003, 01:05 PM	#30 (permalink)
bwhite Teen Dancer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: wilmington, nc, usa Posts: 300	I've never seen bustles with a lot of curve. All of the bustles I've seen have straightened feathers. Sometimes, I guess, with heat and humidity, the feathers will have a tendency to go back to their original shape. But if you do a good job of straightening, this won't be an issue.