Woolly Bird Stitch Along

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Embroidered Bird #2 by Laura Wasilowski

In 13 steps make a free-stitched bird like this. Woolly Bird is hand embroidered on wool using techniques from my new book Joyful Stitching: Transform Fabric with Improvisational Embroidery. You can use any colors you like. We are winging it!

The written and illustrated directions for Woolly Bird, are also found in Free-Form Hand Embroidery on Wool along with 4 other projects stitched on wool.

Click here to purchase a kit of the threads needed.

Or use the following items you already have in your stash.

woolbird2Step #1

  • Follow the instructions on the print out of the Woolly Bird Pattern and stitch an outline of the bird shape on the wool using a Running Stitch. (If you’re drawing your own bird, think of a bird shape as a quarter moon shape with one tip of the moon rounded for the head and the other tip squared off for the tail.)
  • Use a thread color that contrasts with the background fabric and in a color you won’t be using to outline the bird.
  • Stitch with a size 3 or 4 embroidery needle.
  • If you don’t like the shape you’ve stitched, rip out the stitches and start again.

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woolbird11Step #5

  • Select two different Size 8 pearl cotton thread colors and use a size 3 or 4 embroidery needle to make the belly of the bird.
  • Stitch a row of Satin Stitches down the lower edge of the neck ring to fill it in.
  • Stitch Satin Stitches that measure about ¼” long from the neck to a midway point on the lower wing.
  • Alternate the thread colors and lay the Satin Stitches perpendicular to the opposite color to fill in the bird belly.
  • This bird has 7 vertical rows of Satin Stitches Your bird belly size may vary.

woolbird12Step #6

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Step #7

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Step #8

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Step #9

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Step #10

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Step #11

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Step #12

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Embroidered Bird #2 by Laura Wasilowski

Step #13