Erin Fox
Carry around your own pet bird with this black bird brooch. Use any patterned material you like for the bird wing. If you’re pinning the brooch to a favourite coat or jumper, choose colours to coordinate your clothes. Make a different brooch for each season of the year, choosing colours to complement the seasons. An orange wing on a black bird will look great for Halloween and a red bird with Christmas themed fabric will be perfect for winter. You can also use the template to create different species of birds.
For the blackbird brooch you will need: Two sheets of black felt, scraps of black and white patterned material, one small button or pearl bead, embroidery thread in orange, grey or black or white, embroidery needle, scissors, card for making the template and one large safety pin.
Draw the outline of the bird on the sheet of card and cut out. Draw the wing on the excess card and cut this out also. Pin the bird template to the black felt and cut out twice. Pin the wing to the black felt and cut out, then pin the wing to the checked fabric and cut this out. Cut out a small oval from the remaining black felt
Take one of the black felt bird shapes. On the back, sew the safety pin on. Cover part of the safety pin with the oval and sew this into place.
Embroidery thread
Next, start working on the front of the bird. Sew the two wing pieces together and then attach this from the widest end to the middle of the bird so that the wing flaps. Using the yellow embroidery thread, sew satin stitch over the beak. Sew on the button for the eye.
Pin the two bird pieces together then sew all around in blanket stitch or running stitch. Pin your blackbird brooch to your coat, scarf or bag.
Instead of a brooch, omit the safety pin and stuff the bird lightly with kapok to keep as an ornament. Use different materials for the eye and the beak; create the eye with a French slip knot and cut a piece of orange felt for the beak. Reverse the colours and cut out the body in the gingham fabric and the wing from the black felt.
