Fans

[CHEROSAGE]

During the many Gourd dances that I've been to I have noticed many different types of fans used.

What type of fan(s) do you use?

I have a loose feather (Eagle Feather) fan and a wing fan(Eagle). Occassionally, I will use one of my Eagle flat fans. The occassions are different and what mood I'm in.

[Josiah]

I use a Eagle wing fan that i made late last year...
Occasionally use my Redtail Hawk fan

[Redstone]

I prefer a loose fan. Mine is made of various colors of pheasant feathers that have been zigzagged down the sides by a pinking shear.

[tcumonster]

The one I use is mixed macaw tail feathers. It is the first loose fan I have made, so I am planning some improvements to it soon.

[Nathan11]

I use a Macaw feather tail fan made by Patrick Scott

[Privateer6]

Anyone know where I can find directions to make a loose fan?
Thanks,
Privateer

[hobbs49]

Anyone know where I can find directions to make a loose fan?
Thanks,
Privateer

Privateer, don't know where directions are. But I was taught that you take a dowel rod to use as a handle, cut down both ends to a smaller diameter, remove enough wood to allow for the thickness of leather on one end and twisted fringe on the other. Wrap the base of each feather with leather. By wrap, I mean take a rectangular piece of leather and fold it around the base of the feather (like a hot dog [feather base] in a bun [leather]). You can decorate over the feather base as you wish. The leather that you use to wrap the feather base should be longer than the area that you want to wrap. I was taught to trim this extra leather into a single rectangular tab extending below the feather. Once all the feathers are prepared, trim the tabs to ensure the feathers are at a consistent height. Then uniformly attach the feathers around the end of the dowel rod using the tabs extending below the feathers. When I made one in the past, I glued and wrapped the tabs to help keep them secure. Build up the area where the feathers are attached so the original shape and diameter of the dowel rod is maintained. Now attach the twisted fringe to the other end of the dowel in the same way that you attached feather tabs. Cover with leather, add some brickwork or gourd stich and presto!

Good Luck!

[WhoMe]

During the many Gourd dances that I've been to I have noticed many different types of fans used.

What type of fan(s) do you use?

I use a hand held battery powered one!

*L


But seriously yes!

[hobbs49]

I use a hand held battery powered one!

Hey WhoMe! Does it have that trigger action spray bottle attached so that you can stay cool and refreshed? Those are great!