What will I make?

A whimsical, joyous bird creature, like the ones below. I will demonstrate each step with clear close up videos, explaining every technique along the way.

You can customise your bird in multiple ways to make it your own unique creation.

What will I learn?

Making a bird involves:

• hand sewing and stuffing a felt form
• appliqué with felt
• embroidery on felt, without a hoop and using simple stitches
• working with wire

I demonstrate and explain every step along the way. You can follow along as if you were sitting with me as I stitch. Even better, you can pause, rewind, annotate and replay any portions of videos that you want to review and practice.

It's a great way to learn new techniques, or apply techniques you already know in a new and exciting way.

How long will it take me?

That depends upon how quickly you work, and how many of the techniques are new to you.

To give some guidance:

• I have made dozens of birds, it still takes me about an hour or two to make one, once I have all my materials and tools set up and ready. If this is your first bird it may take you longer, especially if you like to add all the optional extras!
• There are 10 lessons covering all parts of the bird, with more than 2 hours of instructional videos and supporting downloadable PDFs.
• Once you pay for access to the course materials, there is no rush: you can take your time, you have a whole year!

What is being provided?

Once you enrol, you will have access to:

• over two hours of detailed video instruction, demonstration and discussion
• six downloadable PDFs with printable templates, instructions, inspiration and online resources
• dozens of detailed photo examples to guide your choices of colour, stitch and embellishments
• question and comment facilities throughout the course to seek advice and help from myself and/or connect with fellow students

Take your own time and work at your own pace.

What supplies will I need?

The list below describes what I use, but I encourage you to use what you have on hand. I show alternative tools and materials throughout the course.

Materials required

• Felt in one or two main colours. (A piece about 15x15cm will be enough to make the body of your bird. But this is a great place to use scraps of felt and fabrics, so have some of those on hand too.)
• Felt scraps in one or two contrasting colours (for the face and other embellishments)
• Embroidery threads (whatever you prefer working with)
• Wire - florist wire or craft wire (22 - 24 gauge - 22 gauge is stronger but harder to bend; 24 gauge isn't as strong, but an easier start if you are beginner)
• Stuffing (I use scrap yarn, thread and fabrics, but use whatever stuffing you prefer: wool fleece or fibrefill are both fine)

Tools required

• Scissors (you will be cutting fabric, card and thread)
• Needles for embroidery and hand sewing
• Pliers and wire cutters are great if you have them (an old pair of scissors are fine if you don't)
• Clips or pins
• Ruler

Optionally also

• Beads, sequins, ribbons (optional embellishments)
• Ribbons, ricrac, decorative trim, old doilies (optional embellishments)
• Light card (for if you use templates)
• Tweezers (helpful for stuffing)
• Sewing thread

What skills do I need?

This course is beginner-friendly. You will be using simple hand stitches to embroider and construct your bird. This will be your own original bird, and you can use whichever embroidery stitches you enjoy and are comfortable with.

Plus, I demonstrate each step with close up videos, as well as linking to my favourite stitching tutorials and resources for practice.

An advanced stitcher will still enjoy the course - and find making a 3D stitched bird an enjoyable way to use familiar stitches in new contexts.

I use the following stitches in my birds. Each of these is clearly demonstrated and supporting practise resources are provided:

• whip stitch
• blanket stitch (also called buttonhole stitch)
• stem stitch
• french knots and pistil stitches
• chain stitch

A quick note: the bird you will make is a free standing textile sculpture or art doll. It's not suitable for unsupervised play - but rather as a decorative shelf object. I make them to last, everything is stitched securely, but they are not intended for regular or rough handling.

Can I sell the birds I make that are based on the patterns and templates supplied in the course?

Yes, absolutely. Please acknowledge the base design as originating from this course. If you are selling online, you could link to my website (www.pardalotemakes.com). If you are selling at a market or in person, it would be great if you were open with your customers that it's based on someone else's pattern and that you've customised it.

The videos, PDFs and other resources supplied as part of the course are not to be distributed or shared outside of the course.