Comment on Realistic Wing Tutorial - P.2 by Sunnybrook1
so the cardboard is just for a pattern and not for the final feathers?
Indeed, the cardboard is quite thick and would make the wings very awkward (plus you'd need a MUCH longer pivot point bolt to fit them all), but it has been done before. 
If you are looking for a simple, cheap material to try this out on, I recommend posterboard. 
And instead of paint you use hot glue or spray adhesive to sandwich the feather sides over the shafts.
If you are looking for a simple, cheap material to try this out on, I recommend posterboard. And instead of paint you use hot glue or spray adhesive to sandwich the feather sides over the shafts.