Monday, December 20, 2010

A Bird Garland Tutorial

I have wanted to make a bird garland after I saw this  post.  Laini Taylor made this beautiful bird garland and I just never took the time to make my own.  In fact I am still working on it but thought I would post it in progress so you can start your own if you want to.



 First I drew a simple bird shape and traced it onto felt and  
cut it out.



Then I drew a pattern for a wing and cut them out in cotton fabrics.  
This is a great way to use up all those small fabric scraps.


then I cut out many more birds and wings, before I knew it
I had over twenty birds, so it was time to stop and put them together.


I had this box of vintage floss given to me by a local lady 
when I worked on the Thread Project.  I did a blog about it back in 
2005, you can see that here if you are interested. I have been saving 
it all this time and decided now was a great time to use it. The lady 
who gave it to me said it had been purchased by her mother back 
in the 1930's.  I think it was time it got used.



Then I needed something for the birds eyes so I went through my 
stash of buttons and picked out the smallest one.


I sewed on the eyes and then stitched the birds together 
using a blanket stitch and embroidery floss and stuffed them
with some Polyfil.


Here is a closeup of one of the birds.  I have several more to make before I stitch them together into a garland.  Stay tuned and I promise a pic of the finished garland.

11 comments:

  1. this is SO cute!! I can't wait to see it put together!

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  2. What colorful textured fun you are having. I love watching you create! Soon we shall see them fly!

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  3. so cute - i just love birds. can't wait to see the finished product.

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  4. Great idea, Kate! Very fun, they are sweet! xoO

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  5. This is such a cute idea....and it looks fairly easy so maybe I could actually do it.

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  6. Love them ! You know I have a thing for little stuffed birdies myself ! Enjoy the creaive process.

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  7. ok - these are so fun - great post...fun to see the process!

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  8. wonderful!
    i love simple stitching and definitively birds
    merry christmas!!!

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  9. can't wait to see the finished garland! I do love birds.

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  10. They are adorable! Probably very soothing (especially at this time of year!) to create. Be sure to show yourfinished project.

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