Snow Bird Pattern Revisited
I recently took another look at a pattern I wrote in 2013, Snow Bird. It’s a fun, uncomplicated hand sewn ornament. You can comfortably sew it up in one or two afternoons and have a really special handmade gift to give to someone. I like that it has a little Christmas sparkle added by sequins and silver lined seed beads. As I reviewed the pattern, I was inspired to make one, seen in the first photo above. *sigh* My weird wrinkly wrist. I had my arm at a strange angle trying to take the shot and simultaneously be my own hand model. Anyway. The felt colors I used are a mashup of FOTF and Benzie:
Head/wing details: FOTF Orange Red
Wings: FOTF Shrimp
Body: FOTF Lavender Pink
Beak: Benzie Peacock
I used sequins and beads I have in my collection (which are now catastrophically and maybe permanently mixed after I accidentally dropped the container they were sorted in) but also some lovely new sequins that were so kindly sent to me by Benzie Design. They are 4 mm and flat as opposed to the 5 mm cupped ones I usually find at my local craft store, so the smaller size is really nice for small details. They come in some reeeeeally gorgeous colors with coordinating seed beads. In spillproof containers. I’ll have to experiment more with those!
As it happens, I’ve learned a couple things since 2013, so I did a few revisions to the instructions while I was updating the contact information (there’s no such thing as my flickr page anymore haha). There was nothing wrong with the original instructions, but I changed them to utilize freezer paper for all the pattern pieces instead of just for the beak. I think that method is quicker and more foolproof when it comes to transferring accurately to felt. I also included a handy template to take the guesswork out of the beak placement.
Do you have your Christmas projects lined up already? Perhaps you need a Snow Bird in that list? You can find the PDF pattern here in my Etsy shop.
I enjoyed making this series of your felt christmas ornaments. But let's see the new series you are working on…Santas?
Dawn
I'll be sure and post about the new series when I can. Thanks so much!
I love this Snow Bird Larissa.
Everything you make brings joy to my heart
I hope you are well and happy
Hi, Rosemary! You are always so encouraging! Thanks so much! Yes, well and happy and I wish the same for you. 🙂
Please – what is FOTF?
Hi there! Felt On The Fly, a lovely shop that sells 100% merino wool felts. It's linked up^ there for you in the text.
Why does the body need heavy fusible interfacing for this pattern? Im doing this now after having used peltex and the sulky fabri solvy that I used for the 12 days series and wondering as the similar colly bird didnt require it?
Hi, Dana, on the Colly Bird, the Sulky stabilizer acts as a temporary interfacing to preserve the shape of the pieces as you embroider. The interfacing on the Snow Bird is for the same purpose, except it's permanent: to give the floppy felt some nice body so that the embroidery doesn't pull or distort it. It also gives the Snow Bird a smoother finish after stuffing. If you'd like to try it without the interfacing you are welcome to, of course! 🙂 It won't be a disaster, especially if you use the Sulky method.