Building a Men's Traditional Pow Wow Bustle; Native American dance bustle construction

In this video I go through the steps of preparing each of the feathers for a contemporary traditional bustle. The bustle, made from my reproduction, mature Golden Eagle feathers, is still a work in progress but far enough along to see several tips and tricks I've incorporated. I will post a follow-up video on the finish details of the bustles, building the backboard (bustle base) and another new tip on attaching the bustle to a belt for dancing. Please Like and Subscribe. Feel free to ask questions in the comments.

[@Telestations]

just about finished the Eagle bone Brest plate or chest plate as some would say - took 200 Eagles to make the front - 150 to make the back and 50 to make the 2 sides - will post some videos and photos of it finished - Eagles will be returning next few weeks and the work looking for sick Eagles in the forest will start again - rescued 10 last season - so far rescued over 70 past 16 years - love your videos

[@singerboy461]

😵😵😵

[@NativeSteelPlayer]

Andrew great job idea on making a collapsible puzzle that’s been my problem all along however can you please show how the bustle actually goes together to the backboard and step-by-step everything six plane in great detail except for the finish where you put the bustle together on the backboard that would help thanks otherwise great video thanks

[@NativeSteelPlayer]

Bustle Not puzzle that’s what happens when you rely on the phone and don’t read I just had a surgery and was watching your video while healing

[@camaro6810]

Really enjoy your craft videos Andrew, looking forward to more! Subscribed

[@Dnels49]

Wopila eciciye lo! Le itowabskanskan kin lila tanyan ecanun. Unkcela kagapi kin yupiya yakaga. Thanks for the vid. It was really informative.

[@thedigitalndn2798]

can you show us your otter sash with mirrors. Would be nice to see how you did yours.

[@1ghosthorse]

I have GOT to buy one of those fly tie spool holders! I'm also going to try the flat "loop" on the back of the feather for the bridal string. If I can collapse mine & both my sons' traditional bustles, that will be a game changer!! I'm also going to do the clear nail varnish instead of the Tacky Glue with my heat gun. Your method will be significantly cleaner on my fingers. Thank you for the amazing video. Why didn't you show me these tips in the 80s when I started making bustles?

[@andrewforsythe9587]

Marcos, I'm glad you got at least one good idea from the video. Thanks for watching.

[@danieldunlap3075]

Nice work, Andrew! You said you 'bleached' the black turkey feathers, what did you use and the technique to bleach the feathers?

[@suddencosmicawakening]

Thanks for sharing your work! I’d like to know, which tribe are you apart of?

[@sneakerheadjt]

Deadly work man! But do you have any solutions for the nails on chalkboard affect with the wood sanding? Trying not to add the flavor of last night's snack to my fresh new bustle! 😅😂😢

[@tonyredhouse8888]

Do you use latigo leather for the ends that create the loop? I have previously soaked and cut rawhide lace but it results in a much bigger diameter than the quill. Thanks for your wisdom and clear directions. Tony Redhouse

[@trina2904]

Any update of finishing the bustle and how it folds up

[@cpeeteetuce1974]

Do you know how to do the antenna plumes for grass dance roach spreader?

[@deboraharmstrong3002]

What do you use for a travel case?

[@demarislakes]

Hello Andrew, I’m struggling a little bit trying to make some chicken dance arm bustles. Could you make him a tutorial?

[@warparty]

What kind of glue do you use?

[@wiildrok]

CAN YOU SHOW THE BLEACHING PROCESS

[@serafinasierra3141]

can you do a toddler bustle? often see you at antelope wacipi always wanted to ask. trying to get my son started. need a tutorial on how to. thanks!

[@andrewforsythe9587]

Hi. I'm sorry we didn't get to visit at Antelope Wacipi. I love coming back there; great people, great dance. The basics for a toddler bustle would be the same general construction but with fewer feathers and probably no extensions to make the feathers longer. Just a loop at the end and a bridle string about 2-3" up the feather to hold them all together. There are detailed instructions in my book, Focus on Feathers. I hope to see you at Antelope 2023.

[@bluemonroe372]

Did you dye or pain your own feathers or did you buy them that way for the bustle you have made

[@wendydudok1520]

Me as a Dutch video watcher i have a stupid question. Where do you get the feathers from? 😊😉🤪

[@bradrodrigues6834]

What are your measurements on each of your dirodes

[@nickkennedy7549]

Could you do a video on small bustles like for Chicken dancing?

[@andrewforsythe9587]

I have several other videos series I am trying to complete so it may take some time to get to chicken dance bustles, but I will put it on the list. There is information in my book Focus on Feathers that would help in the meantime. Check out the section on Old-Style bustles. Thanks for watching. Andy

[@3DogStab]

Did ya ever finish your bustle?

[@stevencampbell13]

Hello Andrew I am interested in reproduction golden eagle tails actually two of them Could you tell me how much the cost for two Enjoyed your video

[@andrewforsythe9587]

Thanks Steven. I am afraid I don't have any feathers in stock and I am not taking orders just now. As I get some done I will post them on my website or Facebook. I hope you found the videos helpful. I will also try to keep uploading more content as I get some time.

[@rcflite1997]

Did you make the painted imitation golden eagle

[@andrewforsythe9587]

Yes, I created the feathers. Thanks for watching.

[@eveningzrainn]

Is that just beading thread to keep the fluffs on ?

[@andrewforsythe9587]

I generally use a heavy cotton thread or something like Coats & Clarks button and carpet thread. Beading thread is smooth and doesn't seem to work as well for wrapping and tying knots in this type of application. Thanks for watching.

[@mightymite3958]

What nation you on?

[@kelseyabraham9013]

So how does it look without beads how does it hold?

[@andrewforsythe9587]

The leather loop is quite small and the shoestring I used is thick. It didn't slide through easily so the friction between the leather and the lace holds each feather in place. When making bonnets, historically and still today, one cuts a thin slot through rachis to run the leather lace through. The tension keeps the feather in place. This is pretty much the same idea but without making a slit in the actual feather. Thanks for watching.

[@boydjake8218]

At 6:14.... That's what she said 😅😅😂😂😂 🤣

[@boydjake8218]

19:02. That's what she said 😂😂😂😂😅 🎉

[@Fang_and_Fire]

I want to make a messy bustle and am not sure if the way Im.thinking its done is actually the way it is done. Do you have a video?

[@andrewforsythe9587]

I'm sorry I haven't finished a video on old style bustles. I do plan to make a video in the future. In the meantime, there are detailed instructions in my book Focus on Feathers that should be helpful.

[@Fang_and_Fire]

@@andrewforsythe9587 where do i buy it

[@andrewforsythe9587]

@@Fang_and_Fire I usually have some in stock but I just moved and am not sure where my copies got to. Crazy Crow Trading Post should have them or Written Heritage. Let me know if they don't and I will check around here. Thanks.

[@Fang_and_Fire]

@@andrewforsythe9587 i just found some.at a.store called prarie something and ordered one. Thank you!

[@andrewforsythe9587]

@@Fang_and_FirePrairie Edge in Rapid, great store. Let me know if there's something else I could help you with on your future projects.

[@patgarcia7266]

what size is the dowel ?

[@andrewforsythe9587]

I can't remember exactly what size these dowels were. I try to find one close to the diameter of the hollow feather quill so it fills it completely. You may need to try a couple sizes to find the right one.

[@oliviaholloway6022]

Do u do orders ?

[@andrewforsythe9587]

Sorry, but I am not taking orders at this time. I am trying to work on doing a few more videos to help people with their own work and also focus on outfits for my girls now that they're dancing too. Thanks for your interest in my work.

[@codygeewin5166]

You really didn't show the collapsed feature in detail. And really showed how you did that.. you also need to get very up close to better show the work. A suggestion for a future tutorial. Explain all the tools you use !.. where you got them.. and my suggestion use a dog toe nail clipper to cut the feather quills. I can show you if you would like some of the techniques I learned? Thanks for sharing what you know

[@jackhill436]

Nope no metric system for me I’m an American 🇺🇸

[@andrewmedicinehorse113]

You’re white, how did you get eagle feathers?

[@andrewforsythe9587]

If you watch the videos, I pointed out that the feathers are not real eagle feathers. I specialize in recreating raptor feathers and the ones you see are my creations.

[@andrewmedicinehorse113]

@@andrewforsythe9587 my bad, I just saw eagle feather bustle. Unless those are imitation eagle feathers on the wall

[@thunderwolf5969]

Why are you wearing fake eagle feathers? Are you not native American?

[@andrewforsythe9587]

I'm not an enrolled tribal member. I've been a traditional dancer since my teen years and have had innumerable Native elders as mentors throughout my life. But, my blood quantum isn't enough to be enrolled. Thanks for watching. I hope you've found some helpful tips.

[@rickferry280]

Thanks, Andrew. I probably share much your journey and experience. For those who may knock imitation feathers… Blood quantum is a colonial concept managed by a group who many were intent on genocide of our indigenous people. We share one creator and all can find healing in the circle.