Oh No!...Not another bird on felt!!!!

The good news is that this time it will go on a new tutorial page and I won't have to keep explaining it over and over..... This bird is for my dear friend Cobi's block and will end up in the Netherlands after traveling from the US to Australia and Canada...

I used a firm high quality felt in a neutral color or a color that blends.... I either sketch or trace the bird on the felt.

Then very first step is to outline it in a VERY TIGHT chain stitch...for two reasons. 1. Felt has a tendency to stretch and you don't want your robin turning into an eagle.... 2. The tight chain stitch defines the edge nicely and you can weave all outer stitches into it and it makes cutting it out later very tidy indeed..

After I finish the chain-stitch outline I add some "contour guidelines" I have a tendency to focus so hard on my fill-in stitches that they wander off in all directions... Following the guidelines give the body of bird or animal shape and also provides the "grain" or direction of the fur or feathers....

The I begin filling in with long and short stitches in the base colors... I keep the stitches rather irregular in length because it gives a feathery look... The "contour guidelines" are incorporated into the stitching and become invisible... I am about to start the tail and use guidelines there also.... Since this is on a stumpwork round robin I am doing the wing separate (as shown) and will attach it at the end so the vignette has even more dimension.

Now I will finish the tail and use some white, light blue and darker blue to do some shading.... Just like painting...