by Sandra | August 18th, 2010
Ta DA! I aways find it so amazing that once the eye is done, each bird has a personality and it comes to life right before my eyes. This little Goldfinch seems so friendly. I am really pleased with the way he turned out and I hope he meets your expectations too.
The only stitches I used were the stem stitch, straight stitch and a loose (not too precise) satin stitch. The looser satin stitch gives more of a feathery texture as though the black and white feathers blend. A too precise satin stitch is unrealistic and is too perfect for a natural appearance in this case.
I used Cosmo “Seasons” #8002 for the satin stitch detail and sewing weight thread for the rest of the details on the bird. Let’s do a before and then after the little guy’s “makeover”:
Before
After
The clever use of embroidery eliminated the need for tons of little applique pieces. So instead of looking like a surgical nightmare, the bird looks more natural. Sometimes too many applique pieces can ruin the image rather than make it look better.
Almost finished, only the ladybug to go.
Isn’t is amazing what a few easy embroidery additions can do? The embroidery embellishment adds another layer of interest both visually and texturally.
Oh and the Goldfinch passed the cat test. 
Oh WOW! I think he winked at me!
The stitches are simple, but the effect is out of this world.
Thank you for the master class.
Judy B
THIS was worth waiting for! I cannot wait for your book…(I don’t really know what is in it- but every piece I see of yours makes me want it evenmore LOL) You are right about “coming alive” with embroidery- this little guy (the whole picture actually) is stunning. fondly, Sandy
hook, line, and sinker…..
If I was not totally captured by the wren, I am a goner now. Just waiting on Hollyhill to send the background.
It is all Michele’s fault.
Stunning.
Stunning!!!! You are so right about the personality coming to life. You keep amazing me with your extraordinary attention to detail, so that your applique positively sparkles, and the bird is very, very natural. Well of course it passed the “cat test”.
It’s wonderful, thanks for the before and after. What a charmer, I’ve got food in the bird feeder …. I too look forward to your book, can’t wait, can’t wait. And hope that the National Quilt Museum will call you soon, I’m doing all I can do on my end to get you there for us students that live in the middle of the country for your wonderful classes, but the book will satisfy me if things don’t work out.
and the Goldfinch LIKES what she sees! So do I.
Wow, wow, wow,. What more can be said. Would love to have this little goldfinch in my yard. Keeping my fingers crossed that I ordered the right background fabric (will know when the mail comes.)
Your work gets more and more beautiful and I’m soooo glad you are sharing it with us
I really like what you did with the feathers !! It makes it soo much more interesting than another piece of fabric would have.
I’m assuming you appliqued the eye . Then a touch of white embroidery thread ?
He really sings now !
Can’t wait for the next one !!!! Thanks for the lessons and the previews : )
Love it!! Isn’t it amazing how that little bit of hand work brought life into the bird…but then seeing your work on a daily basis is bringing new life into all of our lifes also….you are helping each of us grow in our handwork…I too can’t wait for your book to be delivered to my door…
LOVE him! (So the brown ring abround his eye is embroidery, too!)
Okay… what’s next!! OBOYOBOYOBOY!!!
(Sorry t – had to be done – and of the group, I KNEW you’d appreciate this!)
Love your work and am waiting for your book to come out. This is going to be the perfect Christmas gift for several of my appliqué loving friends this year!
oh yeah!! You have done it again, it looks really wonderful and I think I will have to do one myself. Looked out my kitchen window last Saturday and there sat a Goldfinch on my coneflower that has gone to seed. And then another came. They are so brilliant yellow and beautiful and they are my state (Iowa) bird. You couldn’t have picked a better bird for me to try. Are your embroidery techinques going to be included in your new book? I sure hope so…What’s next???
I have to ask…what did the cat do???
Judy, he did! LOL
Sandy,
I am so glad! Friday’s post will be the Ladybug and pictures just didn’t do it justice. It is so small and dimensional.
Tammy,
I am so glad Michele has brought you over to our world.
Thank you Miss Frances!
Denise,
I hope I have de-mystified the process as well.
Marty,
I love before and afters don’t you? Even I am still amazed what can happen with a few simple stitches. You are so sweet about the Museum.
Kathleen,
Grin.
Brenda,
I love sharing with you! I am attempting to train your brains to think differently when looking at the possibilities for your quilts. It doesn’t have to be boring, who knew?
Yep Boop, the “black” portion of the eye is appliqued. about an 1/8″ circle. The seam allowance underneath makes it sit up on the surface adding to the effect. A padded satin stitch would give the same effect.
The highlight is white embroidery thread (1) strand, two straight stitches.
Thank you Pati
Michele nothing gets by you! Yes that is a ring of sewing weight brown embroidery thread around the eye. The Ladybug is up next and the post will be posted Friday at 4:45 EST.
Thank you Angie! Glad to hear you are spreading the applique love
Hi Stitches,
Yes, the book covers the embroidery stitches. I also include diagrams of the stitches used for the particular design in the pattern instructions as well. Yellow is a hard color for me because it is do bright, but I am really happy with the way my “yellow” bird turned out.
Janet,
LOL. My cats like to jump up on the work table and supervise my quilting. When I am finished, I will lay out the piece flat and see if the bird will grab the cat’s interest. If I have done it right, they will look at the bird, study it for a bit and then reach out their paw as if to make the bird move. They will continue this until they realize the bird is not going to play. If my cats fail to show interest, I have failed.