1.) Feather tassels
2.) Turkish scarf
3.) Hazara 'crown'
4.) Great big fake lilies
5.) Base cloth
6.) Tikka
7.) Metal Banjara
tassels
tassels
8.) Fake braids
9.) Wool dreads
10.) Embellished wool
dread
dread
1.) Feather tassels. These are meant to be worn either hanging along the cheeks or pinned
up into the sides of the turban. They are soft marabou feathers wound around a wool cord…
a nice textural accent.
2.) Turkish scarf. Made of a very fine, soft cotton, this makes a great last layer of extra color
and movement. This one has an edge of metal sequins.
3.) Hazara ‘crown’. More like a tiara, really, this is an old Central Asian piece that has been
rebuilt. It has long ties to wind into previous layers, but I find it necessary to pin it at the ends
(where the ties start) for extra stability. It’s heavy.
4.) Great big fake lilies. Aren’t they? I don’t do a thing to these except take the tags off and
shorten the stems. They are slipped between the wrapped layers, held in place by pressure.
5.) Base cloth. Although I have long enough hair to anchor a turban, I like to use a base
cloth for two reasons: it adds stability to the whole structure, and it is a bottom washable
layer… sort of like an undergarment for your headdress. It’s also an opportunity to add
fringe– this one is very fringy– and coins or jewelry to frame your face.
6.) Tikka. A real tikka is an Indian ornament for the forehead, that hangs loose as this one
does. This tikka was made by me from an orphaned earring.
7.) Metal Banjara tassels. I love the way these give ‘oomph’ to the whole design of the
headdress, but they are heavy and treacherous unless firmly tied in place, which I do in the
underlayers of the turban where it can’t be seen.
8.) Fake braids. A fun element that adds a lot of movement, but plan carefully so they don’t
snag on other parts of your costume. These are on tiny jaw clips and can be attached one,
two, or three at a time.
9.) Wool dreads. I felt these myself in the washing machine, to get a lot of little bumps and
side stringy pieces. They are just about weightless and add juicy tribal texture.
10.) Embellished wool dread. Felted wool wears very well and is able to support quite a bit of
added beadwork. Be careful where you attach these so they don’t become a hazard when
you move!
up into the sides of the turban. They are soft marabou feathers wound around a wool cord…
a nice textural accent.
2.) Turkish scarf. Made of a very fine, soft cotton, this makes a great last layer of extra color
and movement. This one has an edge of metal sequins.
3.) Hazara ‘crown’. More like a tiara, really, this is an old Central Asian piece that has been
rebuilt. It has long ties to wind into previous layers, but I find it necessary to pin it at the ends
(where the ties start) for extra stability. It’s heavy.
4.) Great big fake lilies. Aren’t they? I don’t do a thing to these except take the tags off and
shorten the stems. They are slipped between the wrapped layers, held in place by pressure.
5.) Base cloth. Although I have long enough hair to anchor a turban, I like to use a base
cloth for two reasons: it adds stability to the whole structure, and it is a bottom washable
layer… sort of like an undergarment for your headdress. It’s also an opportunity to add
fringe– this one is very fringy– and coins or jewelry to frame your face.
6.) Tikka. A real tikka is an Indian ornament for the forehead, that hangs loose as this one
does. This tikka was made by me from an orphaned earring.
7.) Metal Banjara tassels. I love the way these give ‘oomph’ to the whole design of the
headdress, but they are heavy and treacherous unless firmly tied in place, which I do in the
underlayers of the turban where it can’t be seen.
8.) Fake braids. A fun element that adds a lot of movement, but plan carefully so they don’t
snag on other parts of your costume. These are on tiny jaw clips and can be attached one,
two, or three at a time.
9.) Wool dreads. I felt these myself in the washing machine, to get a lot of little bumps and
side stringy pieces. They are just about weightless and add juicy tribal texture.
10.) Embellished wool dread. Felted wool wears very well and is able to support quite a bit of
added beadwork. Be careful where you attach these so they don’t become a hazard when
you move!
