How to Use Feathers in Victorian Centerpieces

Within the Centerpiece

• 1

  Add feathers directly into the centerpiece among the flowers. Select colors that complement the flowers or add a touch of contrast to the arrangement. If the feather's quill---or stiff shaft---is too short, wrap the end of one or two pieces of florist's wire around the quill, straighten it along the line of the quill and cut to desired length. Wrap the wire with florist's tape to disguise and stiffen it and to create a stem for the feather.

• 2

  Replace foliage or flowers with feathers. For example, insert pheasant feathers in place of dried grasses, a fringed peacock feather in place of moss or an ostrich plume in place of baby's breath.

• 3

  Substitute trailing vines or foliage with a drooping feather such as an ostrich plume. Lay the feather in place so the plume drapes over the vase's edge. Wire the quill section to the stem of an upright flower to hold the feather in place. Cluster flowers around the quill to hide the quill and wire from sight.

As the Centerpiece

• 4

  Make a centerpiece completely of feathers. Select a combination of feathers to make a flower centerpiece, or focus on a single type of feather for a more dramatic effect.

• 5

  If the feathers are too short for the desired vase, lengthen their "stems" with wire as described in Step 1 of using feathers within the centerpiece.

• 6

  To hold the feathers in place, join them together at the base of the quills with wire, or use marbles, Styrofoam or flower holders---called frogs---inside the vase.

Feather Flowers

• 7

  Make artificial flowers from feathers to add to a fresh flower or feather-only arrangement. To create an artificial lily, select five feathers the same color, each about 6 inches long and with tips tapering down to a point.

• 8

  Lay one feather on a solid surface. Using a sharp knife, slit the quill in half lengthwise. Spread the quill open and gently bend the feather backwards to make it look like a lily petal. Repeat for the remaining feathers.

• 9

  Join the five feathers at the base of the quills and secure them in place with wire. Cover the wire with florist's tape and cut to the desired length.

• 10

  To make a rose, select a single type of feather in one color but various sizes. Gently pull the bottom of each feather over a dull knife to bend it slightly. Place a drop of glue on the end of a length of wire. Stick the smallest feathers onto the glue to make the rose's center. Add longer feathers around the center to create the outer petals.

  Glue green feathers into place for the rose's leaves and calyx.

• 11

  Wrap the bottom tips of the feathers and the wire in florist's tape to complete the stem. Cut the feather flowers to desired length.