Birds’ feathers have been used by milliners for centuries. So many different colours, sizes, textures and shapes of feathers can be found in nature and many work as stunning hat trims exactly as they are. Sometimes, however, curling, shaping or manipulating feathers can really make your hats stand out from the crowd.

Like our fingernails, feathers are made out of a natural protein called keratin. When heat is applied, they will bend. Milliners sometimes use steam, boiling water or curling tongs (curling iron) to shape their feathers.

Georgina Abbott from Atelier Millinery in London finds that ceramic hair straighteners work best because they reach a higher temperature and stay hot. In this tutorial, she demonstrates how to use hair straighteners to curl feathers and quills and how to partially strip and colour a feather for added effect.

Category: Hints and Tips, Trimmings

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