Purchase this digital product and receive a link to the YouTube video of the CraftyMonkies Online Interactive Workshop featuring leading designer, tutor & craft expert Gary Mills and his wonderful Birds On Stilts class, which first aired via Zoom on Saturday 10 July 2021.
 
Once you have purchased this product, the PDF document you will receive contains a link to the private-access video on YouTube as well as Gary's Pattern, which is essential for this class!
 
Introduction by Gary:-
I have really had fun coming up with this adorable idea for a decorative model which will put a smile on anyone’s face! Imagine these playful birds could be fishing along the tideline or just standing around and having a good old gossip with one another. I will guide you through the processes from start to finish during the Zoom session, and alongside I have also produced a clear PDF pattern for you to download included in the cost of this workshop. Once complete you will have to find a place for them to sit and be viewed; maybe that is on your desk at home or work or on a windowsill or would even make for a fabulous gift for someone special.
 
IMPORTANT: The outcome is a decorative model or set of bird figures, rather than a toy!
 
What You Will Learn in this Online Interactive Workshop:-
This three-hour session is divided into two halves with a short comfort break for 10 minutes in the middle. To begin you will be introduced to the project, and then Gary will guide you through each of the skills processes: You will learn how to work through assembling the birds, cutting out from the supplied pattern, and then constructing through simple machine stitch with stage-by-stage instruction taking care to keep your machine stitched seam allowances consistent. Then turning through and stuffing your bird and then trimming back to avoid any bulk. finally adding the details to give him or her character through stitch and decoration.
This finished bird is approx 16” (40cm) in height.
 
Skill Level for this Online Interactive Workshop:-
Gary has many years’ experience as a professional practitioner and teacher of textiles; his workshops are so enjoyable, fun, and very well organised with his clear and patient guidance. This workshop is suitable for the beginner, Intermediate & Advanced sewer. For those more experienced and advanced you can further hone your skills by working on improved accuracy and stitch ability to achieve a first-class professional finish.
 
Fabric & Material requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-
Gary has used a combination of several fat quarters for this project including both ditsy-print patterns and solids which contrast in colour. Although this project is a great stash and scrap buster as you only need a small amount of fabric for each bird.
Total fabric required for each bird 10” x 20” (25cm x 50cm)
Polyester toy stuffing for each bird approx. 1oz (25g)
Good quality colour matching sew-all machine thread.
For eyes 2 x 4/8” (1cm) button for wings 2x 6/8” (1.5cm) button
For legs 2 x 12” (30cm) kabab sticks or you can use very thin twigs or very thin plant canes.
OPTIONAL: Gary has painted his kabab sticks with acrylic paint to match with the contrast colours in each bird.
 
NOTE: Once you have been shown how to make one bird you should have time to make more so have additional fabrics and materials to use.
 
The bird/s can be displayed on several surfaces such as a piece of found wood, a branch or drift work; it will even look good fixed into a potted house plant! You may wish to have this with you in the session or you can display later once you have made all the birds you wish to display.
 
Equipment requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-
A sewing machine (straight stitch used) needle size 10-12
Fabric, paper, and embroidery scissors
Pins
Hand sewing needle.
Useful: fabric marker pen
Useful; chop stick or similar blunt stick for aiding the stuffing; also forceps long tweezers can aid in stuffing small parts.
A bradawl to make holes in the wood display.
Helpful is a Loop Turner Sewing Tool for pulling through small narrow pieces but not essential.
 
This class is available to view as many times as you like for 60 days FROM THE DATE OF YOUR PURCHASE
 
NOTE: Any short video featured in this promotional info is a Trailer and not the fully-edited version you'll gain access to via YouTube!
 
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