Felt Bird Pin

My name is Kristen and I am guest blogging for Tiffany this week so that she can spend time with and enjoy the new addition to her family. This is my first attempt at blogging but I have loved making things and decorating for as long as I can remember. The project I am sharing with you is one I have been making for years. I love giving them as gifts or to decorate with. Just know I cannot sew whatsoever so if I can do this anyone can!

The materials you will need:

Sheet of Felt

Scrap Fabric

Wooden Bird Stencil (sold at Michael’s)

Needle & Thread

Small Button

Pin Back

Batting

Marker (for tracing bird)

Scissors

First trace the bird onto the felt twice so that you have a front and back piece then cut them out. Make sure they match up evenly trimming off any excess felt.

Secondly, cut a wing from the scrap fabric then stitch onto what will be the front of the bird. Also attach your button in place for the eye.

Then take what will be the back of the bird to attach the pin. I also cut a small piece of felt to act as reinforcement where the pin will be, put this on the inside so it will not be seen.

Now that everything is attached it is time to start sewing the bird body together. I start at the bird’s back near the tail and work around the tail. Once you get all the way around the tail you can begin filling it with batting. I use a skinny object to push batting into the tail more easily. The wooden tool that comes with your batting works best for this. Continue working around the bird adding more batting as you go. I do not know much about sewing but make sure the stitches are close enough together so that batting will not come through.

You are left with a precious hand stitched bird to wear or give as a gift.

Possible variations are to make them into ornaments for baby shower gifts by adding a string for hanging instead of using the pin. You could also change the colors to make them into Christmas ornaments. I have also used the horse and alligator wooden stencils to make ornaments for kids, although they are a bit more intricate. Owl pins are also very cute using this method…

Thanks to Lemon Tree for allowing me to guest post and especially to Tiffany for not only asking me but for being such a big inspiration and encouragement. Hope to see you again soon when I finally get my blog up and running!

Kristen