Free Pattern: Bird Ornaments for the Holidays

I’m sewing these patchwork bird ornaments as holiday presents for the members of my artist group here in town. These are so sweet and easy to make I thought I’d show you how with this free pattern. Pull together some of your favorite fabric scraps and let’s get started!

You’ll need:

• 4″ embroidery hoop
• scraps of quilting cotton and linen
• scrap of brown felt
• fiberfill stuffing
• embroidery floss
• coordinating thread
• hot glue gun
• 12″ length of ribbon to hang the ornament

Download the pattern templates for free right here.

Make a 6″ x 6″ piece of patchwork. I’m making 11 ornaments for a group of local friends so I started by sewing a large piece of patchwork and then cutting it up into these smaller pieces.

Hoop it up, stretching the fabric on the hoop so that it’s tight.

Trace the bird template on a piece of scrap of linen. Place it on a second scrap and stitch around it by hand or machine. Trim to 1/8″ from the seam line and clip the seam allowance at the curves.

Turn the bird right side out and fold the raw edges at the opening inward. Press. Stuff the bird firmly. Ladder stitch the opening closed.

Embroider the eye with backstitch. I like to use 2 strands from a 6-ply piece of embroidery floss for this. Trace the beak onto a piece of felt and cut out. Fold in half and press. Stitch to the bird.

Trace the wing shapes onto assorted scraps of quilting cottons, or just free-form cut some feather shapes. Pin them to the bird until you’re pleased with the arrangement. Hand stitch in place. Repeat with the tail feathers.

From the back, sew the bird to the hoop with several stitches so that it’s firmly attached.

Fold the raw edges of the patchwork to the back of the hoop and carefully hot glue them in place.

To finish the back, cut a 4″ diameter circle of felt. Squeeze some hot glue along the inner edges of the back of the hoop. Press the felt circle in place.

Tie a ribbon in a bow around the clasp of the hoop. Tie the ends of the ribbon in a knot so that you have a hanger.

Admire your lovely patchwork ornament!

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