Originally, I intended to make the wings first but all those bobbins prepared for the tail feathers would be in the way so I am making the tail feathers first. Each feather starts with 8 bobbins – 4 golden for the edges, 2 red for the central line, and 2 very light yellow for the weave.
© Charly, all rights reserved. Click for full size
Towards the end broad section of the feather I ad 2 red, 2 yellow, and 4 orange bobbins. I had to use different knotting techniques for that part to get the pattern right.
I was a bit worried that I won’t know how to make the lace since it is two years since the last time I did it. My mother told me that it will come to me instantly and indeed it did and I seem to be a bit better at it than I was last time although that is not saying much. But I am using more advanced techniques for these feathers than I have used so far.
© Charly, all rights reserved. Click for full size
I finished two tail feathers today and they took me about 6 hours. I had to take a long pause after every two hours of work because my shoulders hurt something awful and my trapezoid muscle was stiff and on the verge of cramping. At this rate, it should take me approx three more days to finish the whole tail. I do hope that I have enough of the various colors, it is quite difficult to gauge upfront.
It is coming along very nicely. There is something very satisfying about all the pins and bobbins lain out in orderly fashion of a work in progress. The well used bobbins themselves are esthetically pleasing.
Looking down for long periods of time is why your neck and trapezius muscles are getting sore. Keep reminding yourself to drop your shoulders, and look up and stretch out your arms/neck/shoulders at least once an hour.