How To Make An Antler Headdress?

How to Make an Antler Headdress

The antler headdress is a traditional Native American headdress made from the antlers of a deer or elk. It is a symbol of strength, power, and hunting prowess. Antler headdresses are often worn in ceremonies and dances, and they can also be used as a form of personal adornment.

If you are interested in making your own antler headdress, there are a few things you will need. First, you will need to find a set of antlers that are suitable for use in a headdress. You can either purchase antlers from a taxidermist or find them yourself. If you are harvesting antlers yourself, be sure to do so legally and ethically.

Once you have your antlers, you will need to clean and prepare them. This involves removing the velvet from the antlers and sanding them smooth. You may also want to dye the antlers to achieve a desired color.

Once the antlers are prepared, you can begin to assemble the headdress. This involves attaching the antlers to a headband or other type of headpiece. You can use leather, sinew, or other materials to attach the antlers.

Once the headdress is assembled, you can decorate it with feathers, beads, or other embellishments. You can also add a chin strap to keep the headdress in place.

Making an antler headdress is a fun and rewarding project. It is a great way to learn about Native American culture and history. It is also a way to create a unique and personal piece of art.

Step Materials Instructions
1
  • Antlers
  • Dremel tool
  • Leather
  • Leather cord
  • Needle and thread
  1. Cut the antlers to the desired length.
  2. Use the Dremel tool to smooth the edges of the antlers.
  3. Cut a piece of leather to the desired size.
  4. Center the antlers on the leather and sew them in place.
  5. Thread a leather cord through the antlers and tie it in a knot.
2
  • Beads
  • Feathers
  • Ribbon
  1. Add beads, feathers, or ribbon to the headdress to personalize it.
3
  • Wear your headdress and enjoy!
  1. Put on your headdress and dance around the campfire!

An antler headdress is a traditional Native American headpiece made from the antlers of a deer. It is often worn during ceremonies and dances, and is a symbol of strength, power, and wisdom.

This tutorial will show you how to make your own antler headdress. It is a relatively simple project that can be completed in a few hours.

Gather Materials

You will need the following materials to make an antler headdress:

  • Antlers
  • Wire
  • Leather
  • Beads
  • Glue
  • Other decorations (optional)

Prepare the Antlers

The first step is to prepare the antlers. This involves cleaning them, cutting them to size, and drilling holes in them.

To clean the antlers, you will need to soak them in a solution of water and vinegar. This will help to remove any dirt or debris that may be on them.

Once the antlers are clean, you will need to cut them to size. The size of the headdress will depend on the size of your head. You will need to cut the antlers so that they are long enough to fit around your head, but not so long that they are uncomfortable.

Finally, you will need to drill holes in the antlers. This is necessary for attaching the leather and beads. You will need to drill holes at the top of the antlers, as well as along the sides.

Assemble the Headdress

Now that the antlers are prepared, you can begin assembling the headdress.

The first step is to attach the leather to the antlers. You will need to cut a piece of leather that is long enough to fit around your head. Then, you will need to drill holes in the leather and antlers, and use a leather thong to attach them together.

Once the leather is attached, you can begin adding the beads. You can add beads to the antlers, the leather, or both. You can use any type of beads that you like, but it is best to use beads that are the same size.

You can also add other decorations to the headdress, such as feathers or fur. This is optional, but it can help to make the headdress more unique.

Now that you have assembled your antler headdress, you can wear it for any occasion. It is a great way to show your appreciation for Native American culture, and it is sure to turn heads wherever you go.

Here are some tips for wearing your antler headdress:

  • Make sure that the headdress is the right size for you. It should fit snugly around your head, but not too tightly.
  • If you are wearing the headdress for a long period of time, you may want to add some padding to the inside. This will help to make it more comfortable.
  • Be careful not to damage the headdress. It is a fragile piece of art, and you should take care not to drop it or knock it against anything.

With proper care, your antler headdress can last for many years. It will be a cherished keepsake that you can pass down to future generations.

3. Build the Headdress

To build the headdress, you will need:

  • A wire frame
  • Antlers
  • A leather headband
  • Beads and other decorations

Step 1: Make the Wire Frame

The wire frame is the foundation of the headdress. It will support the antlers and keep them in place. To make the wire frame, you will need:

  • A piece of wire about 3 feet long
  • Pliers

1. Cut the wire into two pieces, each about 18 inches long.
2. Bend one piece of wire into a circle. The circle should be about 12 inches in diameter.
3. Bend the other piece of wire into a U shape. The U should be about 6 inches wide.
4. Attach the U shape to the circle by threading the ends of the U through the circle and twisting them together.

Step 2: Attach the Antlers to the Wire Frame

1. Place the antlers on top of the wire frame.
2. Bend the ends of the wire frame around the antlers to secure them in place.
3. Trim any excess wire.

Step 3: Add the Leather Headband

The leather headband will keep the headdress in place on your head. To add the leather headband, you will need:

  • A piece of leather about 2 inches wide and 18 inches long
  • A needle and thread

1. Fold the leather headband in half lengthwise.
2. Sew the two ends of the leather headband together.
3. Place the leather headband around your head and adjust it so that it fits comfortably.

Step 4: Add the Beads and Other Decorations

The beads and other decorations will add personality to the headdress. You can use any type of beads or decorations that you like. To add the beads and other decorations, you will need:

  • Beads
  • Other decorations
  • A hot glue gun

1. Glue the beads and other decorations to the wire frame.
2. Arrange the beads and other decorations so that they look evenly distributed.
3. Let the glue dry completely.

The headdress is now complete! You can wear it to any event where you want to make a statement.

4. Finish the Headdress

To finish the headdress, you will need to seal it with a sealant. This will protect the headdress from the elements and keep it looking its best. To seal the headdress, you will need:

  • A sealant
  • A brush

1. Apply a coat of sealant to the headdress.
2. Let the sealant dry completely.
3. Apply a second coat of sealant if desired.

The headdress is now finished! You can wear it to any event where you want to make a statement.

How to Make an Antler Headdress?

Q: What materials do I need?

A: You will need the following materials:

  • Antlers (real or faux)
  • Leather cording
  • Needle and thread
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Fabric paint (optional)

Q: How do I make the antlers?

A: If you are using real antlers, you will need to clean them first. To do this, soak them in a solution of water and vinegar for several hours. Then, rinse them off and dry them thoroughly.

If you are using faux antlers, you can skip this step.

Q: How do I attach the antlers to the headband?

A: There are a few different ways to attach the antlers to the headband. You can use leather cording, hot glue, or fabric glue.

To attach the antlers with leather cording, you will need to first measure the circumference of your head. Then, cut a piece of leather cording that is twice as long as the circumference of your head.

Thread the leather cording through the antlers and tie a knot at the end. Then, wrap the leather cording around your head and tie a knot in the back.

To attach the antlers with hot glue, you will need to first apply a small amount of hot glue to the back of the antlers. Then, press the antlers onto the headband.

To attach the antlers with fabric glue, you will need to first apply a small amount of fabric glue to the back of the antlers. Then, press the antlers onto the headband.

Q: How do I decorate the headdress?

You can decorate the headdress with fabric paint, beads, feathers, or other embellishments.

To paint the headdress, you will need to first apply a coat of primer. Then, you can paint the headdress with any design you like.

To add beads or feathers to the headdress, you will need to hot glue them in place.

Q: How do I wear the headdress?

To wear the headdress, you will need to first put on the headband. Then, you can place the antlers on top of the headband.

You can adjust the position of the antlers until you find a comfortable fit.

Q: What are some tips for making an antler headdress?

Here are a few tips for making an antler headdress:

  • Use real antlers if you can. They will look more realistic and will last longer.
  • Make sure the antlers are clean and dry before you attach them to the headband.
  • Use a strong adhesive to attach the antlers to the headband.
  • Decorate the headdress with your own unique style.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when making an antler headdress?

Here are a few common mistakes people make when making an antler headdress:

  • Using fake antlers. Fake antlers will not look as realistic as real antlers and will not last as long.
  • Not cleaning the antlers before attaching them to the headband. This can lead to the antlers becoming dirty and damaged.
  • Using a weak adhesive to attach the antlers to the headband. This can cause the antlers to fall off the headband.
  • Not decorating the headdress. A plain headdress will not look as impressive as a headdress that is decorated with beads, feathers, or other embellishments.

In this tutorial, we have shown you how to make an antler headdress. We started by gathering the materials you would need, including antlers, leather, and a sewing machine. Then, we showed you how to cut and sew the leather pieces together to create the base of the headdress. We also showed you how to attach the antlers to the headdress and how to decorate it with beads and feathers.

We hope that you have found this tutorial helpful and that you are now able to make your own antler headdress. This is a great project for anyone who is interested in leatherworking or Native American culture. It is also a fun and creative way to show your personality and style.

Here are some key takeaways from this tutorial:

  • Antler headdresses are a traditional part of Native American culture.
  • They are typically made from deer antlers, leather, and beads.
  • You can make your own antler headdress using a sewing machine and basic leatherworking skills.
  • Antler headdresses are a great way to show your personality and style.

Author Profile

Carla Denker
Carla Denker
Carla Denker first opened Plastica Store in June of 1996 in Silverlake, Los Angeles and closed in West Hollywood on December 1, 2017. PLASTICA was a boutique filled with unique items from around the world as well as products by local designers, all hand picked by Carla. Although some of the merchandise was literally plastic, we featured items made out of any number of different materials.

Prior to the engaging profile in west3rdstreet.com, the innovative trajectory of Carla Denker and PlasticaStore.com had already captured the attention of prominent publications, each one spotlighting the unique allure and creative vision of the boutique. The acclaim goes back to features in Daily Candy in 2013, TimeOut Los Angeles in 2012, and stretched globally with Allure Korea in 2011. Esteemed columns in LA Times in 2010 and thoughtful pieces in Sunset Magazine in 2009 highlighted the boutique’s distinctive character, while Domino Magazine in 2008 celebrated its design-forward ethos. This press recognition dates back to the earliest days of Plastica, with citations going back as far as 1997, each telling a part of the Plastica story.

After an illustrious run, Plastica transitioned from the tangible to the intangible. While our physical presence concluded in December 2017, our essence endures. Plastica Store has been reborn as a digital haven, continuing to serve a community of discerning thinkers and seekers. Our new mission transcends physical boundaries to embrace a world that is increasingly seeking knowledge and depth.

Similar Posts