How To Make A Glam Gatsby DIY Feather Centerpiece

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

I have had a few requests lately for more detailed instructions on how to make the glam DIY feather centerpieces with hanging “crystals” and lights, like I used for my Great Gatsby party.

These always get tons of compliments when I make them…and I I have used them at a few different parties.  I guess I’m not the only one who likes some extra glam!

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

Even better? They really aren’t that hard to do. The feather portion goes together the same way as standard ostrich feather centerpieces. You just hang the strings of “crystals” over the feathers as you go…kind of like hanging garlands from a Christmas tree.

What You Need

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Add The First Row Of Feathers

Bouquet holder row numbers

1. To start, put the end of the bouquet holder* into the top of the vase*. I’ll refer to the row numbers in this picture when describing the steps below.

The first row - feathers in every other section

2. Start with the bottom row (row one) of the bouquet holder.  Use one feather in every other section of the bottom row.

On the bottom row, insert feathers in alternating sections

3. Stick the ends of the ostrich feathers* into the floral foam in the bouquet holder, with the feathers pointing in a slightly downwards direction…not too much or the beads will tend to slide off.

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

4. Now you’re going to start hanging the bead strings on this first row of feathers. Just drape the string of beads over the first feather, pretty close to the vase.

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

5. Let the beads hang about half way down the height of the vase.

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

6. Then bring the string back up and drape it over the next feather, about the same distance from the vase. (sorry the clear “crystals” are a little hard to see against the feathers)

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

7. Repeat this process until you have draped the beads from all of the feathers in the first row.

Add Row Two of Feathers and “Crystals”

On the second row, insert feathers in alternating sections but not directly above the bottom row feathers

8. For row 2, you’re going to put the feathers in every other space, but use the ones that are not directly above the first row feathers.  Point the feathers in a more outwards direction (although they probably still will be on a downwards slant).

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

9. Then continue hanging your strand of crystals on this second row of feathers, exactly the same way that you did the first row.

10. Optional Step – If you are going to be transporting your feather centerpieces, you may want to use a glue gun*, adhesive dots* or velcro dots* to stick the bead string to the feather stem. It will help to keep the strings in place. However, I will say that in my experience it is generally easier to set them up in place at the event.  They only take a couple of minutes each to put up once you know how.

Add The Third Row Of Feathers

Put feathers in every section for the third row

11. For the third row, you are going to put feathers in every space, so they will be overlapping the ones you already have.

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

This row should be pointing slightly upwards (not too far or the beads will all slide down towards the vase).

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

12. Then you will drape the string of beads over each of the feathers in the third row like you did with the other 2 rows. You will need to bring the bead string down and around some of the lower feathers so that it hangs properly.

I usually keep going around on this row until I have used up the whole string of beads. Which usually means looping over most of the feathers twice.

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

However, you can use fewer beads than I do if you want to save some money.

The “crystal” beads part of your DIY Gatsby feather centerpiece is done. If you want to change anything about how it is arranged, now is the time to do it. It’s much easier to move the beads or change the lengths that are hanging down before you put the rest of the feathers in place.

Again if you want to keep the bead strands in place, try using a glue gun*, adhesive dots* or velcro dots* to stick them to the feather stems.

Finish The Glam DIY Feather Centerpiece

Put feathers in every section for the fourth row

13. Move up to the top row of the bouquet holder and add one feather in every other section like you did on the third row. These feathers should be pointing more up and less out than the last row.

In some cases, you won’t have enough room to fill in all of the sections (the stems of the feathers start running into each other). If that happens, you can skip a section to make more room.

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

14. Finally, add 3 more feathers to the very top of the bouquet holder pointing up.

15. Take a look at your glam DIY feather centerpiece to see if there are any spots that seem a little sparse. Either re-position the feathers you already have or add more feathers to fill in the gaps.

Add the Base Light

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

To really make the glam DIY feather centerpiece stand out, place an uplight* under the base of the vase.

If you want to make the vase a little more stable, you can add velcro dots or glue dots to the bottom of it and stick it to the top of the uplight.

One other hint:  Filling the vase with water adds some weight to the bottom of it that can help stabilize it. If you do this, just make sure no-one is going to knock it over 🙂

This glam DIY feather centerpiece that will turn your wedding or party into a really special event without breaking your budget. Learn how to make them with this step-by-step tutorial.

Now you have a beautiful, glam DIY feather centerpiece for much less than the professionals charge!

Have comments or questions on how to make a glam DIY feather centerpiece? Tell us in the section below.

This post was originally published on November 3, 2017 but was updated with new content on December 16, 2023.


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21 Comments

  1. Luv it, Wanda. Think this is what I’m going to use to glam up my little apt for Christmas instead of a tree.

    1. That’s a great idea, Aunt Elaine! It’s definitely easier to put up than a tree, and doesn’t take up as much space. I’ll have to add that idea to one of my Christmas decorating lists 🙂

  2. This is so fabulous. You are very creative and talent. I love THS project. Thanks.

    1. Thanks, Ivory! These feather centerpieces are my go-to party decorations…I’m happy that other people like them, too 🙂

  3. Sharon Rozier says:

    What is the cost if I order ALL the supplies needed, except the
    Vase? How tall will the finish product be if I am using the longer
    Ostrich feathers… final product will sit on a bar in a room with
    High ceilings.

    1. Hi Sharon…The height depends somewhat on how tall your vase is, but assuming a 20″ vase with the longest (24″ – 26″) feathers it will be a little less than 4 feet tall. I think putting it on the bar is fine as long as it is a stable location and not so close to the edge that someone can knock it over. I don’t sell the products directly, but this is about what the cost will be if you order from the links at the bottom of the page: $140 for the feathers (assuming the longest ones…it gets less expensive as you go down in length), $4 for the bouquet holders, $11 for the crystal beads, and $16 for the light at the base of it. So the total comes to $171. Hope that helps!

      1. Tara Hellickson says:

        do you make and sell? I’m looking for 20 centerpieces for a Great Gatsby event coming up.

        1. Wanda Simone says:

          Hi Tara…sorry, I don’t make them to sell (they would be very tricky to ship already made).

  4. Sharon Rozier says:

    I want to make the Ostrich Feather bouquet as shown… “How to Make”…15 Steps. How much will it cost to order it ALL from you..
    Except the vase (which I have)? If I use the longer feathers? How
    TALL will the finish product be? I will place it on a bar in a room
    with very high ceiling….unless you do NOT recommend placing it on the BAR….however, it is the focal point in the room.

    1. sherry lewis says:

      what do you use to keep from tipping over if sitting on light base and on a table cloth?

      1. Hi Sherry…I have used adhesive velcro and glue dots (at different times, not together) to attach the vase to the light base. I haven’t had any problems with them tipping over like that. But if you’re concerned about it, you could probably do something similar to attach the light base to the table cloth.

  5. Sharon Rozier says:

    Wanda, I would Ike to order: Bouquet holders
    Crystal Beads

    I was given enough vases and feathers to make FOUR arrangements
    The feathers are not the length I want, but I’ve decided to start
    with what I have on hand. If the end product gives me the look
    I want, then I will proceed with a larger order. I will be paying
    with the Black Hat Diva debit card. I will want the shipment
    soon….need by end of month. Please advise how I proceed.
    On the web site it is giving me larger quantities for items…and
    that OK. I primarily am concerned by the ship date.

    1. Hi Sharon…If you are willing to pay a little more, you can find some bouquet holders on Amazon that will ship within a couple of days (just search for “Bouquet holders”, and look for the ones that offer Prime shipping). For the crystal beads, the link in my post goes to Amazon as well…those should be able to ship quickly, too.

  6. I bought 16inch effeil tower vases, Can I use 8-10 Inch feather?

    1. Hi Jackie…I haven’t tried using the 8 to 10 inch feathers. They may be a little small, but since they’re not very expensive, you could always do a trial run with one vase and see how it looks.

  7. Judy Juneau says:

    What size feather should I use. Will sit on 60” round table and how many per centerpiece. Doing red and black feathers

    Please help
    thank you

    1. Wanda Simone says:

      Hi Judy…I usually use 14″ feathers because they are the most economical. But if you want a fuller look, go for the 20″ to 22″ ones. Either of those feather sizes (or anything in between) will look fine on a 60″ table. You will need between 24 and 30 feathers per vase depending on how full you want them to look.

  8. If I order everything you have listed how many centerpieces will this make?

    1. Wanda Simone says:

      Hi Camm…the supplies listed are for one centerpiece.

  9. How many feather do you use all together? Ignoring price, what size feathers do you think are best? Where do you recommend buying the feathers from?

    1. Wanda Simone says:

      Hi Cindy…it depends on the size of the feathers. For the longer ones, I use 24 to 27 per centerpiece. The shorter ones usually take a few more, up to 30 per centerpiece. You can get away with a few less if you’re not too picky about how full they look. I would get the 22″ to 24″ feathers if budget is not an issue. I buy the feathers from Amazon because they deliver quickly and you can send them back easily if you get a bad batch. If you’re buying in bulk, don’t mind waiting longer and don’t mind dealing with more hassles if you need to return, you can find them a little cheaper on aliexpress.com or alibaba.com.