For my wing technique you need 8 spare thighs. Some small brass rod(s) about 1mm. Fabric for the feathers, I use cheap solid color bandanas. Super glue. Fabric glue is to have also, but optional. And you'll need some "no fray" you coat the edges where you cut the cloth so it won't fray and--well fall apart. Then other tools, scissors, x-acto, small saw, wire cutters, needle nose plyers. Lastly a lighter or other scource of heat.

Also you'll need some epoxy "clay/putty". This stuff looks just like a rolled up peice of clay, regular two part epoxy won't work. The "clay" can be shaped and moulded by hand. The brands I've used are from Power Poxy, they have an "All Metal" and a "Plumbers Formula". The other is from Loctite, it's cheaper and just as good.

Also you may want to grab some reference pics of wings to familiarize yourself with them. Try http://ditto.com . It helps greatly to be familar with the anatomy of a wing.

Step 1:-----------------------------------------------------

Ok, once you have everything together it's time to get to work. We'll start with the adding the joints the wings shall attatch to. For this you'll have to cut the sockets from two of the spare thighs. You want to cut as close to the socket as possible. You must be very careful, if you get too close the joint will be worthless as it won't have the strenght to hold the wing in. Save what is left, you'll need the ball from the bottom of the thighs later.

Now that the sockets have been removed it's time to attach them to the back. You'll need the epoxy for this. You'll have to guage the ammount depending on the type of custom. An angel, for instance, won't need as much as my Griffin. Depending on the custom you can use the epoxy to bulk the figure up accordingly.

Once you have the ammount you need, make sure to knead it. Shape it as you need to on the back. Now all you have to do is push the sockets into it. It's ok for them to stick up a bit, you'll know when it looks ok. You may need to form the epoxy around the sockets a bit to make sure when it bonds they will be secure. However don't fear should they come out later. Just use a bit of super glue. Also make sure that you position the sockets with the opening out.

With this done now it's time to move on to the wings.

Step 2:-----------------------------------------------------

Now it's time for the fun part...heh heh...For this you'll be glad you had the reference pics. Each wing is made up of 3 thighs. For the best range of motion each wing needs to be made out of Right(R) and Left(L) thighs respectively. Go ahead and assemble the wings.

Now comes time for the those left over thighs from "Step 1". Now with either needle nose plyers or an x-acto knife, remove the ball from each thigh. MAKING SURE TO GET AS MUCH OF THE PEG AS POSSIBLE.

After that is completed it's time for the brass rods. Actually if they'er long enough one will do. You want to cut about 2 sections that are about 2 inches each in length.

Now a bit of epoxy can be used to link the rod with the peg. However I found the best method is actually to melt the rod into the peg. You may need to have something to hold the ball with as well as the rod.

You want to use a lighter or whatever heat source you have to heat up the rod and melt it into the peg. Make sure to get as close to the center as possible. It may take a few tries to finally get them solidly fused.

For the epoxy method all you need to do is use a small amound between the peg and rod. Just form it around each. Though the epoxy doesn't hold well in small ammounts, so you may have to remove the rod or joint, even both and add super glue.

When all of this is done and your new custom joint is completed insert it into the socket at the end of the wings. Make sure on the recieving thigh that the socket is facing down.

Step 3:------------------------------------------

It's feather time!!! Ok, now that your wings are done we move onto the feathers. You'll want to extend the wings, not fully. Check your reference pics, wings are never fuly outstreched.

Looking at them the bottom thighs will be straight. That socket will act as an "elbow". The middle thigh will be angled up slightly. The final thigh with the rod will be straight and fully extented. Again make sure the socket on the "rod-thighs" are facing down. This will give you a natural look.

Now with the wings in position lay them on the cloth. Note, you can just use one wing and simply trace the feather pattern when you're ready to make the other feathers. Or you can also just fold the cloth and cut both out at once. It's up to you.

Ok now with a pencil, a pen could also be used but it can be hard to cover the ink on cloth. For your first line you will go straight down from the "bottom" thigh. The best place to start is at the "knee". You'll want to make a straight line about 2 inches long.

Next trace the wing. !!!NOTE!!! don't follow right along the wing you'll need to have extra cloth. So leave a little distance. Follow along. When you get to the rod go on for about another inch or inch and a half.

At the end of this line you'll need to make a curving line. Draw it to connect with the first line. Note that the line will not be "circular". It will be a bit straighter as you move along towards the first line.

Now for the feathers you'll need to look at your reference pics. Just draw in the basics for now, the ones that will define the wing, like Batman's cape.

With that done it's time to cut it/them out, make sure at some point to use something to prevent fraying. After that it's time to stick them to the wing. Frist you want to start with the rod. This is why you need just a bit of extra cloth. You just need to fold over just enough to hide the rod. You can use either super glue or fabric glue for this. Once the rod is concealed, it's time to glue the cloth to the rest of the wing. Making sure not to glue into the joints. Don't worry about the extra just wrap a bit over the thighs. Don't wrap them up, just to where the cloth stops.

Step 3:------------------------------------------------------

With your feathers cut out and glued to the wings. It's time to add whatever details you wish, pait 'em, whatever. Just one final note....For the best range of motion you want to have the wings on opposing sides. So the "R-wing" will ge on the left, and the "L-wing" will be on the right.

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And that's how I make wings. I know I outlined how to make feathered wings here, but the formula is basically the same for all. With a few tweaks you can make whatever style of wings you wish.