The main beginner issue is not adding in enough stuffing. You nearly always need more than you think. Just add in small sections at a time. Don't get impatient and try to stuff in a huge amount in one go because it won't look good. Step 4: Place both body shapes wrong sides together and sew blanket stitch all the way round, leaving around 3cm for stuffing. Don’t forget to sew in a loop of ribbon for hanging as you go!

Completed Spring Easter Bird Design - Make Birds in Different Colors for Other Seasons and Occasions Print off the free pattern template and use it to mark and then cut two bird shapes (template A - you choose either small or large) from your chosen color of felt.If you want a book to help you sew felt into beautiful birds... look no further!! The clear photographs and instructions are just so easy to follow. This book would be a lovely present and you could give the person a few felt squares, some thread and let them start creating right away!! Love it!! If you’ve never tried needle felting before, we think you’ll find it a really satisfying technique. We have a complete beginner’s guide to needle felting right here on Gathered which is also written by Gretel and will teach you all the basic techniques. Folk Embroidered Felt Birds is a beautiful book full of lovely birds to create. The techniques are clear with lots of pictures and step-by-step instructions to follow for the basic creating, then each bird has its own instructions that are easy to follow. I would recommend to anyone who wanted to have a go. Hooray - all patterns are full scale and easy to copy from the book, no upscaling, popping to the library, or giving up and leaving on the shelf. How long does the ribbon need to be? You choose. I prefer to have just a small loop of ribbon on the top of my ornaments. If I need to hang my felt ornament on a tree with its bulky branches, then I can thread twine through the loop and tie it on or use wire hangers which do the job discretely. You may prefer to have a long loop and you may prefer to use cord or twine instead of ribbon. I have a card template of the bird which I trace around onto the felt with a water soluble fabric marking pen.

Then add a little detail stitching on the tail to create a decorative pattern similar to the wing. Step 7: There are twenty very attractive birds to make. Each of them a pleasing mix of well chosen felt colours and embroidery stitches. Place the heart-shaped felt onto the egg with the bottom of the heart pointing to the bottom of the egg. Needle felt it in place. Step 1: Cut out the paper template pieces. Pin the templates to the felt and cut. For each bird you’ll need two body shapes and 2 wing shapes.

This book is a delight from cover to cover. It starts by explaining what items are needed to complete the projects and then goes on, in simple terms, to talk about techniques from drawing templates to cutting out the felt, to embellishing with hand sewn embroidery. These stitches are clearly explained at the beginning of the book in easy to follow instructions and photos. There are even simple instructions for making birds feet. Once this has all be laid out for you, there follows 20 easy to make colourful birds which are so pleasing to the eye! I particularly like the use of sequins on the pigeon to add texture and shimmer.

And of course, theres a selection of embroidery stitch instructions with step-by-step photos as well. Making felt birds is not my usual thing but I could be tempted by my favourite, the hen, whose comforting shape and embroidery really epitomises 'folk art'. Leave a small margin (3-5mm is great) and start to sew around the edge of the bird. I like to start from the bottom middle because this will leave me an easy section to sew at the end once I start stuffing the plush. Like any good project book, Folk Embroidered Felt Birds begins with a section on materials. Theres nothing too out of the ordinary here felt (the author recommends a wool / viscose blend); embroidery floss; wire (for legs), filling, ribbon, sequins, wire tape, and other very regular stuff.Thread a needle with a contrasting color, and work a simple embroidered pattern along the traced vine/floral drawing on the wing. Step 3: Attach one wing to each body shape by sewing a button onto the wing and the body at the same time. Place the decorated bird base pattern piece onto of the plain bird base and stitch along the sides. Note that the pin needs to be on the outside of the felt though so you can remove it easily after sewing. If you don't want to make this into an ornament, skip this step. Thread: We used white for stitching around the bird, and different colors for the embroidering on the wings and tail.

I see this book being perfect for those who like to make. The birds are perfect for whimsical ornaments and delightful gifts. What a great way to pass on a bit of cheer to a friend on a birthday or out of the blue for no reason at all! Most of the time, I can gently push pieces of stuffing in with my fingers. To help fill out narrow sections such as the tail and beak, you may find it helpful to use some blunt ended tweezers or an embossing stylus with a round ball head. If you use tools to help, just push gently so you don't ruin any stitching.Although we have plenty of printable felt flower patterns in our Etsy shop as well as some woodland themed animal patterns, ocean inspired patterns and even felt sloth patterns, these are the latest printable patterns to be added to the shop. Gretel Parker has designed these gorgeous colourful felted bird brooches, and we think they have serious gift appeal! They are the perfect way to inject a touch of fun into your spring accessories. Needle felting is a great project for profit, and stunning designs like these needle felted birds can command a considerable markup, as well as only using a small amount of roving wool.