Creating Faux Feathers with Thermoplastics
In this quick tutorial I show you how I made feathers with Thibra and a silicone mold! Thibra is a thermoplastic that is easy to use with a little bit of heat. I made many feathers and other shapes using this process for my Athena costume. You can use almost any kind of thermoplastic with these techniques!
Materials Used:
There are two kinds of Thibra: Thibra Fine and Thibra Tex. I used Thibra Fine for this project.
Thibra Fine is:
- Smooth on both sides.
- Low 120º F activation temp means less finger burning and reduced working time for fast quick work.
- Capable of complex curves and manipulation.
- Save your scraps to blend together and re-use!
- Super easy to cut. You can even use a Cricut! Check out my video on how to do this!
- Easy to paint!
- Can be used with a variety of glues
- Sandable
- Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly (YAY!!)
- Non-toxic
- Can be vacuum formed
FAQ:
Q: Thibra's activation temp is lower than other thermoplastics. Will my costume melt in the sun?
A: Nope! But, as with other thermoplastics, don't leave it in the sun unattended, and certainly don't allow it to stay in a hot car for any period of time if it is warm outside.
Thibra: https://www.thibra.us
Silicone mold: https://amzn.to/2YpuWgL
Learn more about thermoplastics in my book!
I’ve added a huge chapter in my book to show you how to use many kinds of thermoplastics to your costumes. I show you smooth, Reinforced and Pellet forms of this versatile and easy to use material!
Most examples of thermoplastics in my book use MTP from MicroMark. I love this material because it is strong, picks up detail and can be polished with heat and a silicone mat for a super smooth shine.