I went to buy foam at my local Michaels craft store today and saw
something in the scrap booking section. Its a hole punch shaped like
dragonfly. Okay, lets try it out.
I got some Stitch Witchery, which is a fusible web. This is used by
sewers to fuse two materials together (like in making a hem). It is
transparent, but has some good webbiness to it giving it a veined
appearance.
Take the Stitch Witchery, lay it on top of a piece of paper (this is
key or it'll not cut right). Put it in the hole punch and punch out
your dragonfly. Slide the Stitch Witchery dragonfly off the paper.
Bind the dragonfly body on top of a hook, doing a figure eight to bring
the wings upright. Dub the abdomen and palmer your favorite hackle
around the wings.
The dragonfly wings give a good wing simulation without the
difficulties of tying in feather tips. There is a base (the dragonfly
body) that is easy to secure to the hook and holds the wings while you
do everything else. You can do a lot with these wings, sweep them back
for a flying ant or leave them flat out for a spinner.
The hole punch (brand name Marvy Uchida) costs 7.99 USD and is the
jumbo size. Cool tool.
The Stitch Witchery cost me a buck for a 6" X 24" piece.
Frank Reid