Art and Stitch

Showing posts with label lace birds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lace birds. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Lace Bird Tutorial

Here is a tutorial ( my first) on how to make the lace bird shown in my last post. You'll need scissors, a pencil, a needle and thread, glue, and either white cardstock and a paper doily (left), or white stiffened felt and a piece of white lace (right).



On the back of the felt or cardstock, draw this pattern (leaving space around each shape), or any bird shape, and two wings, and cut out the inside of the shapes.


Now cut about 1/4 inch (or less) around each outline, being careful not to cut into the outline, to create a "frame".
Here's the cut-out frame and one wing, but don't forget to make two wings!Apply a continuous line of tacky or paper glue to all frames, and flip them over onto the lace or doily, capturing your favorite motifs. It's a good idea to put some plastic or parchment paper under the lace to catch excess glue. Let the glue dry and trim carefully around the outer edge of the frames.
Glue the wings to the front and back of the bird, arranging the wings as you'd like them, add a little diamond shape for a beak, and a bead for the eye, and "hang" it in your window with double stick tape or with some thread or fishline. This is the lace bird... ...and this is the paper doily bird, which is lighter and more delicate. ( I used a paper punched circle for the eye on this one.)

If you want to put two or three in one window, you can arrange each bird's wings differently and vary the angle at which each is flying.

If anyone makes a bird following this tutorial, I would love to see the results!


Have fun!

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Whimsical Lace Birds


I have some samples of decorator lace, and decided to use them to make some birds for my windows. I thought it would be pretty to be able to see the lace pattern against the outside foliage.
 After drawing a simple bird design, I used some heavy duty interfacing to provide a sturdy outline. 
I have a few details to work out, but I think they will be sweet for my porch windows, and for gifts.
Mostly fusing, and very little sewing!