bustle feathers

sunbursthonor · 12-26-2004, 03:12 PM

hey guys,

First off I hope everyone had a very good holiday weekend. Ok, Bustle feather, do they have to be straightened? Or is it ok to leave them curved. Also, if the must me straightened, do my visor, and epolets, and dance staff have to be straightened?
thx,
Mike Silent Warrior

sookout sh'nob · 12-27-2004, 12:53 PM

Lord no don't straighten them.

Fancy dancers straighten feathers, traditional guys leave them curved. Still, if flat and straight is your style, by all means.

TRADISHDNCR · 12-27-2004, 02:35 PM

when you say straighten do you mean the natural left/right bend or the "rounding" type curve? are these eagles or turkey feathers? it makes a lot of difference. which feathers are you using?? wing, tail?? you're giving very little info.

sunbursthonor · 12-28-2004, 10:04 PM

hey guys,
Thanks for all the comments so far. I am using turkey wing feathers as well as turkey tail feathers. It is goin to have the wing feathers on either side and then the tail feathers on the bottom. Any other comments are greatly appreciated.
thx,
Mike Silent Warrior

redthunder · 12-31-2004, 02:24 AM

Of coarse you need to straighten them. Turkey feathers will be curved, if you are looking from the side. However, eagle and hawk usually dont need to be straightened because its alreay striaght. so yes, it needs to be straightened.....

hopping crow · 01-04-2005, 12:49 PM

If You Are A Fancy Dancer Go For It If Not Do Not Do It. The More The Curve The More Tradish It Looks. This Info Comes Right Out Of The Mouth Of My Girls Grandfather. A Fullblooded Blackfoot Tradish Dancer

tigger · 01-04-2005, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sookout sh'nob

Lord no don't straighten them.

Fancy dancers straighten feathers, traditional guys leave them curved. Still, if flat and straight is your style, by all means.

i agree. i would not straighten the feathers. they are not normally straightened by trad dancers but if that's your thing then go for it.

redthunder · 01-05-2005, 10:46 PM

Yes, you need to dtraighten them. I dont think the people who answered understood your question. I made a turkey bustle and i needed to straightened it. Now i have a eagle bustle....

bwhite · 01-06-2005, 03:03 PM

I'm a straight guy myself.

I'm just a fan of straightened feathers.

Feathers from different birds may not have the same amount of curve. For those that don't straighten feathers, is this a problem? Do some curve more or less than others? If so, how do you correct it?

Most hobbyists are always attempting to immitate, fake or resemble real eagle feathers and eagle feather bustles. Wild turkey feathers seem to be a popular choice due to their natural banding. However, eagle feathers, as mentioned earlier, have very little natural curve. If the look you are trying to achieve is to resemble an eagle bustle, wouldn't you straighten them?

If not, and you want a turkey feather bustle for their natural curve, that's a different story.

**Wojapi4Me** · 01-06-2005, 03:33 PM

Eagle feathers can be used as is...no straightening required. Turkey feathers - as has been said - is an entirely different situation. Those wing feathers are probably going to be very curved and will look wierd if you put them on a bustle as is. I've seen several people who've done this, and it just looks odd as the feathers curve back in towards their body - not the look you're going for. The turkey tail feathers could be used as is as they have little to no curve. Good luck with your project.

hoov4450 · 01-06-2005, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singerdad

Eagle feathers can be used as is...no straightening required. Turkey feathers - as has been said - is an entirely different situation. Those wing feathers are probably going to be very curved and will look wierd if you put them on a bustle as is. I've seen several people who've done this, and it just looks odd as the feathers curve back in towards their body - not the look you're going for. The turkey tail feathers could be used as is as they have little to no curve. Good luck with your project.

100% right. use a light bulb, or steam. work the feather to the shape you want. and remember never leave it in one place or you will damage the feather. watch out for the heat and try not to burn your fingers. with some heat and some work you will straiten out them feathers. good luck!

sunbursthonor · 01-07-2005, 12:53 AM

Now,
I have one last question. How do I straighten the feathers? I agree I should straighten the turkey wing feathers but the turkey tail feathers have very little curve so I don't think I am going to straighten them. Again thanks for all the comments and any other comments are greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Mike Silent Warrior Tedder

bwhite · 01-07-2005, 11:38 AM

Some people bend them backwards over a 100 watt light bulb. It works well, but you'll go blind. Wear dark sunglasses.

As you work the feather over the bulb, you'll feel it soften and give a little. Try a couple on some extra spikes and you'll get the hang of it.

I prefer to iron mine. I hate staring into the light bulb.

bob smiley · 01-07-2005, 03:09 PM

Yea i agree. Straightening will look the best and as for the method used, I would say use an iron it does the trick and doesn't require the use of a cane afterwards. Just remember to keep the iron moving over the quill and doen't burn your fingers off.

12-26-2004, 03:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
sunbursthonor Teen's Contemporary Trad. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Probably somewhere in the www.powwows.com game room LOL no seriously, in GA Posts: 307	bustle feathers hey guys, First off I hope everyone had a very good holiday weekend. Ok, Bustle feather, do they have to be straightened? Or is it ok to leave them curved. Also, if the must me straightened, do my visor, and epolets, and dance staff have to be straightened? thx, Mike Silent Warrior __________________ Even YOU can change!

12-27-2004, 02:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
TRADISHDNCR Teen Dancer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: LAS VEGAS, NV Posts: 347	when you say straighten do you mean the natural left/right bend or the "rounding" type curve? are these eagles or turkey feathers? it makes a lot of difference. which feathers are you using?? wing, tail?? you're giving very little info. __________________

12-28-2004, 10:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
sunbursthonor Teen's Contemporary Trad. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Probably somewhere in the www.powwows.com game room LOL no seriously, in GA Posts: 307	hey guys, Thanks for all the comments so far. I am using turkey wing feathers as well as turkey tail feathers. It is goin to have the wing feathers on either side and then the tail feathers on the bottom. Any other comments are greatly appreciated. thx, Mike Silent Warrior __________________ Even YOU can change!

12-31-2004, 02:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
redthunder Powwow King Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 484	Of coarse you need to straighten them. Turkey feathers will be curved, if you are looking from the side. However, eagle and hawk usually dont need to be straightened because its alreay striaght. so yes, it needs to be straightened..... __________________ I'm interested more in self determination than gender equity. In other words, changing white men for white woman in the structures of power, does nothing to transform the opression in my community. "You need to find yourself a girl, mate... Or, perhaps the reason you practice three hours a day is that you already found one and are otherwise incapable of wooing said strumpet. You're not a eunuch, are you? [looks down]" -Captain Jack Sparrow

01-04-2005, 12:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
hopping crow NORTHERN TRADITIONAL Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ST PETE,FLORIDA Posts: 55	If You Are A Fancy Dancer Go For It If Not Do Not Do It. The More The Curve The More Tradish It Looks. This Info Comes Right Out Of The Mouth Of My Girls Grandfather. A Fullblooded Blackfoot Tradish Dancer __________________ MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS KILLED COWBOYS

12-27-2004, 12:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
sookout sh'nob Boogie Monster Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 544	Lord no don't straighten them. Fancy dancers straighten feathers, traditional guys leave them curved. Still, if flat and straight is your style, by all means.

01-05-2005, 10:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
redthunder Powwow King Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 484	Yes, you need to dtraighten them. I dont think the people who answered understood your question. I made a turkey bustle and i needed to straightened it. Now i have a eagle bustle.... __________________ I'm interested more in self determination than gender equity. In other words, changing white men for white woman in the structures of power, does nothing to transform the opression in my community. "You need to find yourself a girl, mate... Or, perhaps the reason you practice three hours a day is that you already found one and are otherwise incapable of wooing said strumpet. You're not a eunuch, are you? [looks down]" -Captain Jack Sparrow

01-06-2005, 03:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
bwhite Teen Dancer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: wilmington, nc, usa Posts: 300	I'm a straight guy myself. I'm just a fan of straightened feathers. Feathers from different birds may not have the same amount of curve. For those that don't straighten feathers, is this a problem? Do some curve more or less than others? If so, how do you correct it? Most hobbyists are always attempting to immitate, fake or resemble real eagle feathers and eagle feather bustles. Wild turkey feathers seem to be a popular choice due to their natural banding. However, eagle feathers, as mentioned earlier, have very little natural curve. If the look you are trying to achieve is to resemble an eagle bustle, wouldn't you straighten them? If not, and you want a turkey feather bustle for their natural curve, that's a different story. __________________ If you are what you eat.... I'm fast, cheap and easy.

01-06-2005, 03:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
Wojapi4Me Kili! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Tha Rez Posts: 1,518	Eagle feathers can be used as is...no straightening required. Turkey feathers - as has been said - is an entirely different situation. Those wing feathers are probably going to be very curved and will look wierd if you put them on a bustle as is. I've seen several people who've done this, and it just looks odd as the feathers curve back in towards their body - not the look you're going for. The turkey tail feathers could be used as is as they have little to no curve. Good luck with your project. __________________ If pro is the opposite of con, then wouldn't progress be the opposite of...lol

01-07-2005, 12:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
sunbursthonor Teen's Contemporary Trad. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Probably somewhere in the www.powwows.com game room LOL no seriously, in GA Posts: 307	Thanks for all the information guys!!! Now, I have one last question. How do I straighten the feathers? I agree I should straighten the turkey wing feathers but the turkey tail feathers have very little curve so I don't think I am going to straighten them. Again thanks for all the comments and any other comments are greatly appreciated!!! Thanks, Mike Silent Warrior Tedder __________________ Even YOU can change!

01-07-2005, 11:38 AM	#13 (permalink)
bwhite Teen Dancer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: wilmington, nc, usa Posts: 300	Some people bend them backwards over a 100 watt light bulb. It works well, but you'll go blind. Wear dark sunglasses. As you work the feather over the bulb, you'll feel it soften and give a little. Try a couple on some extra spikes and you'll get the hang of it. I prefer to iron mine. I hate staring into the light bulb. __________________ If you are what you eat.... I'm fast, cheap and easy.

01-07-2005, 03:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
bob smiley me Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 53	Yea i agree. Straightening will look the best and as for the method used, I would say use an iron it does the trick and doesn't require the use of a cane afterwards. Just remember to keep the iron moving over the quill and doen't burn your fingers off.

01-10-2005, 01:24 PM	#15 (permalink)
tcumonster Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 90