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[Thingamajig]

So Im going to start of by saying, I've never done anything like this before so i decided the best way to learn was to create the largest most cumbersome wings I could

Im working on making these wings for Skuld from Ah My Goddess
http://i.imgur.com/XbahKi4.jpg

This is my progress so far...
http://i.imgur.com/jyUztnO.jpg

The wing span is roughly 6.5 ft but its pretty light since its made from mostly craft foam and foam-core boards. The feathers will be attached to the brown cardboard which i plan to reinforce with fiberglass.

I was hoping that someone would have some ideas on how to wear wings of this size. Preferably without shoulder straps, visible ones anyways. I know its possible because its been done atleast once before
http://www.acparadise.com/acp/display.php?p=108172

My original ideas was to reinforce the tab I left at the bottom of the cardboard and use velcro secure it to the outside of the corset, but Im worried it would be to flimsy/wobbly. My other idea was to slip the tab inside the corset between the wearer and the corset with some velcro. I havent tried these yet, but I was hoping you guys had some thoughts or experience.

I have seen this...
http://whatishcc.com/tutorials/wingharness.php

But I would prefer not to use the flag bracket method. I just want to find stealthier wing mounting solution.

[rj_sosongco]

You could use the rod method. It's kind of like the boning in a corset. See attached picture.

Attach two vertical rods to the base of the wings, and sew two corresponding tubes inside your a corset or bodice (red layer) worn UNDERNEATH your costume (green layer). You'll have to put slits in the costume where the rods will enter, but the wings will hide that. The reason you put the tubes in the underlayer instead of the costume is so that you can do any kind of adjusting or extra strapping to the bodice layer, then hide it all with the outer costume layer before sliding the wings on.

[Millions_Knives]

im not the best at writing these thing well
but i hope one of these vids help
about 11:00
these can be done with clear straps

hope they are of some help
good times to all

[Thingamajig]

The metal rod idea seems promising. Now I have to think up a way to get the rods in the wings and not have them rip through the back.

Maybe fiberglassing a small wood board into the cardboard?

[DarkCloudInc]

Yeah, that's definitely the best way I can think of, at the moment. You really wouldn't need that much wood either, probably a 1" thick x 3" wide x 8" long. Shrinking the length to be lesser than your shoulders of course.

Oh and be sure to put some extra padding on the lowest part of where the rods will sit. This is because the wings will pull back and brush up against the mid to lower back. With a costume like that, you'll be in the pose for long periods of time and the breeze will cause the wings to move back and forth.

[Thingamajig]

Hmm, so I assume I would have to hammer some metal rods or spikes through a board and then find a way to bend them after?... Or is there an easier way?

I've got strong hands but

[DarkCloudInc]

I think the easiest method to this is simply using rigid thick wires that you could run through part of the wings and then slip them into the small slits made into the corset similar to boning.

[char99char]

I did similar - wire through a corset - I forget what gauge the wire is. I got it off a spool - it bends by hand but takes some effort. The corset went under my dress.

You definitely want a long attachment - if you just stick the tab to something you'll have a leverage problem. For example - take a yard stick or long ruler and hold it over the edge of a table. If you put half on the table and half off - it's easy to support. If you try to hang 35" out over the edge and just hold it by and inch on the table it's a lot more difficult.

http://www.cosplay.com/photo/2806246/

http://www.cosplay.com/photo/2806245/

http://www.cosplay.com/photo/2806244/

http://www.cosplay.com/photo/2979250/

[Thingamajig]

Thanks for all of the suggestion and ideas guys. It's really helping me figure out what I want to try and do. I think the rod/wire idea is a lot less clunky than my original velcro plan

[Thingamajig]

*update:

Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions guys. I ended up using 3/16 thick rods to attach the wings to the corset. They were too thick to bend cold so I had to heat them up with a small hand torch first. Even then it took a bit of muscle.

In the end the wings are about 5.5 lbs and the harness holds up just fine.

Here is a shot of her testing them out. The wings were not fully completed yet, but I just wanted her to make sure everything was sturdy and fit well. Only one of the super large feathers was attached at the time.

http://i.imgur.com/qPWNsqe.jpg

I would post a fully completed picture of the wings, she wants to keep the final look a surprise for the con this weekend. If you're curious her more photos of the wings and her outfit are on her cosplay/model facebook
https://www.facebook.com/TrangHuynh018