The fourth installment of this pretty pattern is called Wise Old Bird, and this bird is facing in the oppasite direction to the other birds (they're all looking towards the future) and this one is looking back - a very wise old bird indeed! As with the other patterns, this one includes a pattern sheet with traceable applique templates and stitchery designs, and a hand painted wooden button...
...I don't know why, but I found this bird a bit tricky to stitch - and my first attempt was hastily discarded! Goodness only knows why I struggled with it, but I'm happy to say my next attempt was so much better. As usual I traced the stitchery design onto the background fabric using a lightbox and a fine nibbed Micron Pigma pen. The hand embroidery has been stitched using a selection of variegated Valdani stranded embroidery threads and a few simple embroidery stiches...
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...you can use whatever method of applique you like for this project, I'm using a mix of both needleturn and the Apliquick methods for these birds. This bird has several parts to it, and on my second attempt they all went together very nicely. I'm using a neutral coloured Bottomline 60wt polyester thread for the applique stitches, and it blends really well with these fabrics. Rather than using applique pins to hold the bird in place while it's being stitched onto the background fabric, I use a few spots of Roxanne's basting glue, so I don't get pricked by those sharp pins either...
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...and here is a very splendid bird, with a very smart comb and breast - this one was well worth all the extra effort I put into making it, hopefully I won't struggle so much with the final bird! The hand painted wooden button that was supplied with the pattern will be stitched in place once the quilt is completed.
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