Now that our Red Bird is all fancy with his new wing and tail feathers, it is time to add the flowers.
But first, we have to top off the bird. As my mother once told me, “no fowl is complete without a debonair crest.” (She also told me to stop making things up.)
Please note that directions are first given here on the blog then added to the Red Bird Stitch-Along page as we go. You can join at any time.
Step #6
- Stitch 3 Bullion Knots at the top of the bird’s head to create the crest. Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Aquamarine) and a size 3 hand embroidery needle.
- Stitch a French Knot on the tip of each Bullion Knot. Use a size 8 pearl cotton (like Butter).
- Place the right flower about 2 1/4″ up from the bottom edge of the piece and 3/4″ in from the right side. Tilt slightly, pin, and stitch-tack into place.
- Place the left lower flower about 2 3/4″ up from the bottom edge and 1 1/2″ in from the left side. Tilt slightly, pin, and stitch-tack into place.
- Place the top flower about 5″ up from the bottom edge and 1 1/2″ in from the left side. Tilt slightly, pin, and stitch-tack into place.
- Blanket Stitch around each flower. Use a size 8 pearl cotton (like Butter).
- Remove the tacking stitches from each flower.
- Stitch Fly Stitches around each flower on the sky fabric. Point the tips of the Fly Stitch out to make petals. Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Peas in a Pod).
- Stitch a French Knot inside each Fly Stitch. Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Aquamarine).
- Stitch a French Knot inside each tine of the Blanket Stitches on the flower. Use a size 12 pearl cotton thread (like Red Hots) and a size 5 hand embroidery needle.
- Using that same thread, stitch Lazy Daisy stitches on the sky between each Fly Stitch petal.