HOW TO MAKE EDIBLE OSTRICH FEATHERS

For my 40ty birthday I decided to make a hat cake with EDIBLE ostrich feathers, but I couldn’t find a rice paper at my local store so I decided to use edible printer paper (wafer paper sheet) which is much thick and crispy than rice paper so much more difficult to work with it.I used white paper, but you can buy edible printer paper in different colors and create ostrich feathers in different colors.
So, this tutorial explain how I did it.
I hope you will like it and please leave me your comment!

PHOTO 1
List of materials:
Edible printer paper A3 (wafer paper sheet)
Wire number 20 or stronger
White florist tape (optional)
Water

List of tools:
Small brush
Zigzag scissors
Normal scissors
Steamer

PHOTO 2
With normal scissors cut in half wafer paper sheet along the long edge.
With zigzag scissors cut out of wafer paper shape of ostrich feathers. It’s create irregular look of barb’s ends.

PHOTO 3
With normal scissors cut 1/2 of the width of the ostrich feather. It’s avoid that your wafer paper would broke.

PHOTO 4
Pass a small humid brush at the center line of the paper from the cut to the bottom of the feather.
The brush must be humid not wet! You must softened the paper at the center to be able to fold the paper in half to paste inside the wire.
Be carefull!
Too little of water will crack the paper, too much will rip it.

PHOTO 5
On the wet line put a white wire number 20 or stronger.
If you don’t have white wire you can use a different one covered with white floral tape.
If you don’t have a strong wire you can use 2-3 thin wires covered together with white tape.

PHOTO 6
Fold the paper in half to paste inside the wire. Leave to dry.

PHOTO 7 and 8
Now take sharp long scissors and start to cut lines at one side of ostrich feather to create thin barbs.
It doesn’t mater if you cut out some barb, just remember that the closer and smaller cuts, the more realistic look.

PHOTO 9
Zoom in on the feather.
More thin cuts it’s better look! I make about 250 cuts for a side!

PHOTO 10
If your feather is very long hold the feather in vertical way using both hands over a hot steam (you can use steaming teapot), but not too close! Be carefully – hot seam could burn your hands!
Start steaming from the top to the bottom of the feather to give the feather movement. Be very careful with your feather because too much steam could open too much the feather.
Finish feather is very fragile so be careful when you shape the wire!

PHOTO 11
Final look!

PHOTO 12
My first “working” feather. I didn’t use zigzag scissors and white wire.

PHOTO 13
Hat cake with ostrich feathers!!!