I can't remember if we have posted about this site before or not but I got an email from Cindy over at http://fancyfeather.com who had noticed that folks had asked about feathers before and she wanted me to pass on her information.

Cindy mentioned that she had done quite a bit of work with Sesame Street and Animax in regards to supplying them feathers.  She is located up in the suburbs of Chicago but does have an on-line store.

I encouraged her to join the forum so hopefully she'll be along to add her own voice to mine.

Ah... just saw that Billy had posted about them back in May.  He had also gotten an email from them.

Hi! Thanks you so much for posting about us!  We specialize in feathers and boas of many types, but there are a few things that set us apart from other feather suppliers.  We offer about 40 standard colors for most dyed items and also have a dye facility in house for custom matches.  That, (along with customer service that knocks your socks off) Hand sock or not.....!  Thanks - Please check out our site and let me know if there is something you need not displayed, as I can source it for you as well. We can make your feathery dreams a reality! ~ Cindy   http://fancyfeather.com

Hi! Thanks you so much for posting about us!  We specialize in feathers and boas of many types, but there are a few things that set us apart from other feather suppliers.  We offer about 40 standard colors for most dyed items and also have a dye facility in house for custom matches.  That, (along with customer service that knocks your socks off) Hand sock or not.....!  Thanks - Please check out our site and let me know if there is something you need not displayed, as I can source it for you as well. We can make your feathery dreams a reality! ~ Cindy   http://fancyfeather.com

Welcome to Puppets and Stuff Cindy. I'm glad you joined us...... It will be great to have a feather consultant on the forum. Quick question? I have always been fascinated with how boas are constructed. Could you explain the difference between Ply and grams in the description of boas.

Thanks for the link Cindy. You are now in my favorites list. Thank you Shawn and Billy as well

Hi!  Usually, a boa is measured in weight (grams) ~This is true for most boas- Chandelle, marabou, Turkey ruff, coque, etc.  With ostrich boas, it is generally described in ply. Most boas start out as a fringe and are then twisted into a boa.  In the case of ostrich, picture one single layer of ostrich feather strands on a fringe....if this were then twisted into a boa, it would be a one ply boa.  If there were two layers of ostrich feather strands on a fringe and it were then twisted, it would be a two ply ostrich boa. The ostrich "ply" really means how many layers of feathers are on top of each other on the fringe before it is twisted.  It doesn't necessarily make the finished boa wider, just more full and dense, because the width of the boa is dependent upon the length of the feathers, not how many layers there are.  Hope this helps!  ~Cindy@fancyfeather.com

Cindy another question? since you answered my first one to the tee. Are the feathers sewn on the fringe by a person or a industrial machine. I searched you tube trying to find a video of the process of how boas are made. I examined a turkey boa closely and it appeared to me that each feather was split in half before being sewn on to a single cotton cord. I just find the process fascinating and can see why some boas are so expensive. Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to satisfy our curious minds. 

Hi! it is my pleasure to answer questions! Sometimes they are sewn by hand, sometimes by machine, depending on the vendor. (Most often by machine)  In the case of an ostrich boa, they strip the feather with a razor blade on the side of the quill to pull away the feather strands from the stem, and sew those onto a fringe with a cotton cord (with a fine thread of wire in it)Then, the fringe is twisted into a boa. The fringe starts out much longer, and once twisted becomes shorter and fuller.  The wire helps keep the boa from unraveling.  Often the feathers are parried (cut in half the long way) ~ This helps keep the quills of the feathers softer and more pliable reducing the stiff pokey feeling of the hard quills on your shoulders....and doubles the look with half as many feathers needed to produce one boa. If you have any bare spots on lumps in your boas, here is a tip: Heavier boas, such as ostrich, Coque (rooster) and Turkey ruff naturally become untwisted in transit or with use and should be periodically re-twisted to maintain their looks. ~Cindy@fancyfeather

Thanks Cindy! and a good tip to.