Recycling down (feathers)?

Does anyone have any experience recycling down feathers? We’ve been collecting down comforters, jackets, pillows, etc. from family who no longer want them, and I want to turn them into some pillows, and save the rest for future needs. Any suggestions how best to do it? My wife's current plan looks like:

1. Work outside.
2. Open a channel in the used item and vacuum the down (with a new CLEAN vacuum cleaner).
3. Transfer the down from the reservoir of the vacuum to a bag or the pillow shells or whatever.
4. Fill the pillow shells, and hand-baste them closed.
5. Bring them inside, and machine sew them closed.

I’d love to hear suggestions, and particularly, from people with personal experience doing this.

I haven't done what you're doing, however, I have worked with feather pillows that kept "leaking". I bought quality cotton "ticking", washed and shrank it in the dryer (about the only thing I use my dryer for is shrinking fabric before using!) I then used the fabric to sew new pillow cases that I installed right over the old fabric, so I didn't have to worry about trying to transfer the feathers/down. There was little to no "leaking after that!

So I'd at least consider what you're removing feathers from and whether simply putting a 'new containment vessel' over top the old one, might work. I suspect the down is packaged in artificial fabric is this case, so that likely won't work!

I've also processed ducks and geese. The feathers aren't too bad, but the down floats on the slightest breeze, so even with the vacuum idea, I would choose the calmest day you can! It sounds like a great project, so I hope it works!

Cathy was part of a mask-sewing and -design group formed in summer 2020 and they've stayed in touch since the drive for cloth masks has long-lapsed. She pinged them about this project and got back the suggestion to work with the down while wet. Run it through the washer, open the comforter/coat/pillow, move it to the new final garment/vessel or just feather-proof ticking sacks, sew them up, and then dry them aggressively in the dryer. So we might go that route, but are still collecting ideas.