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Yesterday was Magic and Mischief weekend – an event we look forward to ALL YEAR LONG. So you would think, with 52 weeks to prepare since last year’s event, that I would have thought, just maybe, to get proper wings for the girls in advance.

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Crud.

Well in my defence, we did have one pair – but they made a flight up to my mother’s house on Saturday and forgot to return home. Nope, I was left with two wingless fairies on my hands.

I wanted to get some gorgeous silk wings from a toy store down the street. But when I casually mentioned them to my husband, he casually mentioned the garage door that broke last week. And the iPhone that I shattered on the weekend. Not exactly the best week to be buying fancy costumes.

So, with a mopey face better suited to a six year than an adult, I sat down at my computer to look at the pretty wings once more. And then – an epiphany!

I realized that the wings were pretty simple. And that I can could make some myself from playsilks that we already have.

It took all of 45 seconds to make a pair of wings for River. And they were SO CUTE!

What are playsilks? They are  colourfully-dyed  pieces of silk that children can play with.  Most of our playsilks come from Beneath the Rowan Tree – this is an amazing site to check out. The BTRT site even has a Playsilk Shopping Guide if you’re interested in learning more. My girls use them as super hero capes, doll blankets, wrapping paper for pretend birthday parties, fancy head scarves, snowy scenery for the train set, and “water” for their stuffed animals in need of a bath. They can be used for pretty much anything. Including last minute fairy wings.

Here’s how you make them…

The Oh-Shoot-I-Need-That-Yesterday Guide to Super-Easy, Last-Minute Fairy Wings

Things You Will Need

• One large square piece of silk or other gauzy, light fabric – 35″ x 35″
• One small square piece of silk or other gauzy, light fabric – 10″ x 10″
• One long piece of ribbon – approximately 50″ inches long
• Two short pieces of ribbon – approximately 20″ inches long

1. On the small square, tie two corners together in a double knot.

2. Pull the large square half way through the hole on the small square and spread the fabric out. Feel free to close your eyes and dance dreamily in the wind during this step. Or not.

3. Tie a loose knot in the top two corners of the large square.

4. Thread a small ribbon through each of the two knots, then tighten the knots so that they will not slip out. These are the ribbons that you will tie on your child’s wrists.

5. Thread the large ribbon through the hole in the small square. This is the ribbon that will go up over your child’s shoulders, cross over their chest, and then tie in the back.

If you are uncomfortable with things tied around your child’s neck, you can skip this ribbon and pin the wings to your child’s shirt, or just let the middle hang down unfastened. It’s cute either way.

That’s it. Your done. Don’t you love the way they billow in the breeze?

The BEST part about this costume is that the knots come undone and you can use the silks for regular play again when you’re finished. My favourite kind of toy.