How to Embroider a Bird's Nest
Use raffia (hand-painted if necessary) to suit the colours of a bird's nest. Split the raffia to form finer blades of grass-like texture as shown below. Look for tiny feathers in your garden or on nature walks or find something with a similar texture in a down duvet or pillowcase. Some craft shops also have small feathers to buy.
Use one strand of brown or grey thread and couch a feather or two in the centre of the nest. Bring needle and thread to top of work; place aside to use in the next step.
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Split a piece of raffia into thin strips which are about 10cm (4”) long. Couch in place with the thread. Space couching stitches quite far apart – stitch only where the raffia requires shaping. Twirl raffia round and round, overlapping the previous layer and using a gentle tension as you couch.
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Add a second piece, and a third or fourth piece, building the nest around the feathers.
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Use the same brown thread and secure a bead on the nest. Use two or three stitches to secure it in place.
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Repeat for the two other beads and end off. Rethread, making a knot at the long end. Couch more raffia pieces, as you did before, twirling them around to form the nest. Remember to use a gentle tension and to stitch only where necessary. End off at the back. Don’t you think it’s a cute little nest?
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Hope you will enjoy making little bird's nests for your embroidery and cardmaking, journalling, hats, and other accessories.
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Here is a bird's nest design for you to save for your collection.
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Embroider the branch and leaf stalks in stem or chain stitch and the leaves in fly or satin stitch.
You can download the instruction sheet for how to make the bird's nest
here.
I would love to see what you make! Please
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Enjoy!
Love
Di
♥
There is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before. Robert Lynd – The Blue Lion and Other Essays
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