Sian Riley - Learn to Sew- Part 3: Mini-Make: Bluebird

Learn to Sew: Juniors

Part 3

Mini Make: Bluebird

Hello!

Are you ready to try a new handsewing project?

Why not try a Mini-Make: Bluebird.

Gather up some leftover fabric or felt and using some simple handstitches, you can make a mini stuffed bluebird.

You can follow the step by step instructions to make your own bluebird and there is an extra mini-make project for you to try. The free patterns for both makes are available at the back of this e-book to screenshot, print and cut out.

Ideal for ages 7-11+, but can be for younger children with help from an adult; as well as anyone looking for a fun sewing project.

Parts 1 and 2 of the Learn to Sew: Juniors - Practice and Projects series, more instructions and things to make are available on the ‘Learn to Sew‛ page of my website: www.sianriley.blogspot.com and on the interactive platform, issuu.com.

Happy Sewing!

*Patterns are available to screenshot and print at the back of this e-book.

Step 1: Using the bird body, belly and wing patterns provided, screenshot, print and cut them out of paper.

Pin each paper pattern to felt or coloured fabric and cut 2 of them out per shape.

*If using cotton fabric, try and use pinking shears to cut it out to stop the fabric fraying.

Pinking Shears leave a zig-zag edge when cutting fabric. This stops it fraying.

Step 2: Place one of the bird body pieces on top of the other and pin them together to hold them still.

Step 3: Cut an arms length of cotton thread; tie a knot in one end and place the other end of this thread through the eye of a needle.

Step 4: Starting at the bottom of the tummy, sew a blanket or whip stitch around the edges to join the two pieces together.

Sew all the way around the edges until you reach the back of the tummy, making sure to leave a gap between this and where you started.

When the stitches are finished, tie a knot in the thread or sew a few whip stitches on top of each other to secure them in place. Remove any pins holding the fabric together.

*If you need help with the different stitches, take a look at the ‘Basic Hand Stitches‛ page.

Tie a knot here

Place the cotton thread through the needle eye

Step 5: Push fluffy toy stuffing or small scraps of fabric into the gap to make it soft and ‘squishy‛.

Step 6: Once the bird is filled, sew the gap closed with a few blanket or whip stitches. Make sure to tie a knot or sew a few whip stitches on top of each other when you start and finish sewing to close the gap, otherwise the stuffing will fall out.

Step 7: Pick one of the fabric bird wings and pin it to one side of the bird body.

Cut some more thread (approximately half an arms length) and ‘thread‛ a needle.

Tie a knot in the end of the thread and with a few running or whip stitches, sew the wing in place around the curved side of the wing. Tie another knot in the thread when you have finished sewing.

Step 8: Sew the other wing to the other side of the bird body in the same way as step 7. Remove any pins.

Step 9:

Using chalk or a pencil, draw a temporary line to show the shape of the beak and draw a dot for the position of the eyes on both sides of the bird.

Step 10:

Use running or back stitches to sew along the line of the beak on both sides of the bird.

Make sure to tie a knot at the end of thread at the start and end of your stitches.

Step 11:

For the eyes, sew either a cross stitch or a few running stitches on top of each other on the eye marks on both sides of the bird body...or you can always stick on ‘googly‛ eyes!

Tie a knot at the end of the thread when starting and ending these stitches.

The Bluebird is now finished!

By Jane Bull

*Patterns are available to screenshot and print at the back of this e-book.

Mini-Make Mice

Jane Bull in her book ‘Crafty Creations‛ shares a great project to make mini mice!

I‛ve always enjoyed making them and they are really quick to make. Why not pick some multi-coloured fabric and make a mini-mice family

Step 1: Using the mouse body and ear patterns, screenshot and print them out on paper and pin to some fabric. Cut 1 body and 2 ear shapes for each mouse.

*Try and use pinking shears if the fabric is cotton or frays.

Step 2: Fold the fabric mouse body shape in half to create a semi-circle. Pin it in place to keep it folded.

Step 3: Cut an arms length of thread; tie a knot in one end and place the other end of the thread through the eye of a needle.

Step 4: Start at one side of the folded mouse body and sew a running or back stitch close to the edges to join them together.

Stop before the other side to leave a large enough gap to push toy stuffing through the hole.

Step 5: Push fluffy toy stuffing or small scraps of fabric into the gap to make the mouse body soft.

Step 6:

Sew the gap closed with a few more running or back stitches.

Remember to knot your thread again when the stitches are finished to stop the stuffing falling out!

Step 7: Using the fabric mouse ear shapes, place them at the top of the mouse body (one on either side) and sew them to the edges of the fabric on the mouse body. You can pin them in place first to hold them still if it helps. Tie a knot in the thread at the start and end of the stitches when sewing the ears to the body.

CloseUp

Step 8: Draw or sew a few stitches to make an eye on both sides of the mouse body. For example, try a couple of cross stitches on top of each other at different angles (see close up) or stick on a googly eye. Remember to tie a knot in the thread at the start and end if you are sewing any stitches

*Take a look at the Basic Hand Stitches page to see how a cross stitch is sewn.

Step 9: Using thicker thread, ribbon or string, attach a long length to the back of the mouse body for the tail. This can be stitched or glued in place.

Step 10:

Whiskers can also be added to the front of the mouse with small stitches on each side, or drawing them on with a permanent pen.

Your Mini Mouse is now finished!

Basic Hand Stitches

Always tie a knot in the end of your thread before starting and at the end of sewing. When stitching, start at the back of the fabric.

This stitch is a running stitch.

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Repeat: (from Step 2)

This stitch is a back stitch.

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Repeat: (from Step 4)

This stitch is a chain stitch.

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Step 6: Repeat: (from Step 3)

This stitch is a cross stitch.

The stitches below will mostly be used on the edges of the fabric to neaten the edges or join seams together.

Step 1: Step 2: Repeat:

This stitch is a whip stitch.

Repeat: Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:

This stitch is blanket stitch.

Bluebird and Mini Mouse Patterns

Screenshot, print and cut out these pattern pieces to help with your makes.

Bluebird Body Pattern

Cut 2

Place

Bluebird Wing Pattern

Place

Cut 1 per mouse

Bluebird Belly Pattern

Cut 2

Mouse Ear Pattern

Size Guide: Square = 2cm x 2cm

C Copyright 2023 Sian Riley

Sian RILEY

Website: www.sianriley.blogspot.co.uk

Email: studio@sianriley.co.uk

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BA (Hons) (LCF)., MA (BIAD)., PGCE (BCU)., HEA Fellow