Dumb Isis Wings Questions

[Nat242]

Okay, I've never used Isis wings, but we're starting them in class so I need to get a pair.

My friend's mum is probably going to make them for me - I just need to buy the materials. Okay, here come the dumb questions...

What sort of (organza?) material do I need? I know I want purple, that's all I know!

From where do I take the measurement for length? How much wider than my arm span do they need to be?

How much material do I need? How do the pleats get into the material? Do you buy it that way or do you 'make' them, somehow? I know, I'm silly.

Where do I buy the sticks? How long are the sticks?

Anyone know of any patterns online, however basic? Apparently this woman is a sewing genius, I just want to help her out a bit more than my stick-figure sketches.

Yup, I don't know anything. Please help, bhuzzers!

[tamrahennatx]

If I were you I'd buy them. You can have a very nice (and expensive pair) made for you by Ayshe in New York (www.wingsofayshe.com), or you can get Egyptian made wings from Dahlal, Audrena, or Little Egypt for less.

BUT if you insist on having them made, be aware that they have to be professionally pleated, and that can be the hardest part, since you can't find professional pleaters in every town. Otherwise you have non-pleated, flat wings. You can use irridescent organza (not the stiffest kind, it needs to have some flow to it) or tissue lame.

Measure from your neck to the floor. This will be your measurement, your seamstress will take this measurement, and create two half-circles from it.

You can use acrylic blind turners for sticks, or if you have a plastics company in your town, you can purchase a 1/4" acrylic rod. You will cut it to approximately 18", or long enough to reach from about 4" past your wrist to the end of the fabric. Blind turners are generally already the perfect length, and have a nice flex to them.

[Nat242]

Thanks Tamrahenna! I'll talk to the seamstress, if she can't do pleating, then I'll just go and buy them. I was looking to save a few $$$ but if I can't, I can't. The blind turners are a great idea - I would never have thought of that.

I love bhuz!!

[Lauren_]

I got a good price on e-bay (though mine aren't the quality of Ayshe's, I've seen her and they're just...better. Smaller pleats, for one thing).

[tamrahennatx]

Originally Posted by Nat242

Thanks Tamrahenna! I'll talk to the seamstress, if she can't do pleating, then I'll just go and buy them. I was looking to save a few $$$ but if I can't, I can't. The blind turners are a great idea - I would never have thought of that.

I love bhuz!!

You're welcome! A lot of times, if you purchase the less expensive Egyptian-made wings, they have gawd-awful dark gray pvc pipe or less awful but still not ideal wooden dowels for the "sticks." The pvc is absolutely stiff, fat, and awkward, and both that and wooden dowels are inflexible, and I recommend that you swap it out for the blind turners or the acrylic rod. The smooth round acrylic rod in 1/4" diameter is the perfect material - it comes in 6' lengths, so you can go in on this purchase with a friend if you can find a supplier. The rod itself is generally around $10, maybe less.

[tamrahennatx]

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I got a good price on e-bay (though mine aren't the quality of Ayshe's, I've seen her and they're just...better. Smaller pleats, for one thing).

They are the best. Her construction is thorough, detailed, and made to last, and the pleats are small - they really mimic the ancient egyptian scarab or isis wing look. They are well worth the investment.

[shaynaz]

Originally Posted by Nat242

Thanks Tamrahenna! I'll talk to the seamstress, if she can't do pleating, then I'll just go and buy them. I was looking to save a few $$$ but if I can't, I can't. The blind turners are a great idea - I would never have thought of that.

I love bhuz!!

i seriously doubt you will save money by having someone make them! i got mine from faro2020@yahoo.com he is a vendor off ebay but we've been conducting business outside of ebay for a while. I usually get them within 2 weeks. Although, you are only ordering 1 pair im sure it wont be more then a $80. ive ordered alot cuz of my students so ive gotten them for much less.
if you do go to faro be sure and let him know shayna sent you!!!

[Nat242]

Thanks Shayna! There is apparently a woman already lined up to make them for those of us in the troupe that can't make them ourselves - I think the quote was $90 each. She's local, so we won't have to pay for shipping. But if she doesn't offer the colour I want, I'll definitely email him. Thanks again!