Gather your fabric and felt scraps as well as your bits and pieces of leftover embellishments. This photo shows what you will need to make these birds. You will also need a sewing machine and thread, and a die cut machine. I like the BigShot Die Cutting Machine by Sizzix.
First, you will need to cut two birds using the Bird with Wings Bigz Die and the BigShot Machine. I used felt from National Nonwovens.
Use the pattern provided in the patterns section of the magazine, and trace one wing on the fabric you will be using. I used osnaburg since it has a nice raw look to it. Use a disappearing ink fabric pen to trace.
Use the die and smaller pieces of a wool felt to die cut a small portion of the birds head. You will need the beak piece so be sure to get that onto the felt.
Cut off the beak piece and glue it onto the whole bird die cut using Aleene's Fabric Fusion.
You will need a "back" and a "front" piece so make sure you do not glue them to the wrong sides of the bird shape.
Next, use solvent or pigment ink to stamp a holiday sentiment to the one side of the wing. Heat set this with an iron on a low-medium setting.
Now its time to sew the pieces together. Start at the bottom of piece and sew with a straight stitch and a contrasting thread. You will sew 3/4 of the shape, leaving a small slit open for stuffing. Sew in a free form fashion. The point of these birds are the really scrappy look. Sew about 1/4 or more from the edge. Your fabric will begin to slightly unravel, adding to the scrappy look of the ornament.
Lightly stuff your pieces using a small amount of fiberfill stuffing. I like Fairfield's polyfil fiber stuffing because it's soft.
Just a couple of more steps to completing your scrap savvy bird. Once you have your stuffing in place, use the sewing machine to sew the opening closed. Cut a 6" piece of ribbon and glue it to the bird with Aleenes Fabric Fusion. Double over the glue the ends to the front of the bird ornament.
To finish, use the fabric glue to glue the stuffed wing to the bird over the ribbon ends to hide them. Glue on assorted embellishments such as old earrings, buttons, etc. Glue a 6/0 pebble bead to the bird for the eye.
If you do not want to make your own birds, you can order them from my etsy shop!
Live Life Creatively,
Oooooohhh! You know how much I LOVE those ornaments! I never thought to stamp on fabric-what an awesome idea!
Posted by: amy | December 4, 2012 at 10:47 PM
Nice DIY process. @Laura Bray for DIY, I have one little suggestion that is please visit pinterest DIY & Craft. Its will help you lots to learn new things. Thank you.
Posted by: Aahna Gupta | December 4, 2012 at 05:21 AM
What a great idea to help use up scraps of fabric that are lying around. Very adorable!
Posted by: Suzann Sladcik Wilson | December 3, 2012 at 04:53 PM
This is so pretty!! What a great idea to stamp on the fabric. Brilliant!
Posted by: Carmen | November 6, 2012 at 07:26 PM
Sweet idea and so easy - It's perfect
Posted by: Lorine | November 6, 2012 at 08:46 AM
These are great!
Posted by: Terry Ricioli | November 7, 2011 at 03:48 PM
Love this project!
Posted by: Ann Butler | November 3, 2011 at 07:10 PM
Very cute! I love birds!
Posted by: Kathy | November 3, 2011 at 06:36 AM
This is so dang cute. I didn't know about that die. I'm going to have to get it. Love the photo too!
Posted by: Laura Bray | November 2, 2011 at 01:55 PM
So pretty.
Posted by: niki meiners | October 10, 2010 at 02:19 PM