TK4013,
Sorry - not sure if I ever saw this thread on here until now. You know, you can always e-mail me instead of using the forum and hoping I see the post!
From screen caps, you can see the feathers are tied onto the pads. The feathers are first attached to strips of what looks like leather and then the strips are fastened on with string. What I did: I cut a couple pieces of leather about 6 x 2.5". I sewed on 2 strings, about 4 inches apart, to only one side of the strips. I folded the leather long ways and then used 2000 lb super epoxy (or maybe I just sewed it?) to attach 3 six-inch layers of feather trim inside. I then used the strings to tie the strips down to the pads nice and snug. I know I tied it to the inside padding only on the front, but not sure what I did on the back. That's probably confusing, so e-mail me and I'll draw out a diagram.
The belt is also kind of hard to describe. Basically, you will never get away with only using the carpet padding. You HAVE to back it up with something or it will tear. I would back up the whole strip of carpet padding first with something like black cotton poplin fabric. You just glue it on with a spray glue like 3M Super 77/Super 90 or use Barge cement. Then you back up the top half or so of the carpet padding strip with leather. You attach the leather simply by using the cone studs with the bend-back prongs (I used 3/8" cone studs available thru studsandspikes.com). Then you rivet the 6 straps to the belt through all of the layers.
I sold my pads last year, but I can get some photos of the belt for you, some screen caps, and some drawings this weekend if you e-mail me.