Folk Embroidered Felt Birds

Corinne Lapierre developed a passion for crafts and textiles from a very young age, and has always had an avid desire to learn about traditional techniques such as weaving, dyeing, silk painting and embroidery. She studied Fine Art in France before moving to the UK to study Fashion Design in Manchester. After working as a fashion designer for a few years, Corinne studied millinery, through which she discovered felt and its many qualities. In 2009 Corinne started her own craft business as a felt maker and quickly realized there was a demand for craft kits using good-quality, natural materials. Her company, based in an old Baptist school in Leeds, UK, sells an expanding range of craft kits and patterns designed for adults and children. Corinne was awarded Best British Brand in the Craft Business Awards 2021. Corinne makes regular appearances on Create & Craft TV and lives in Yorkshire with her three children and two cats. Visit her website www.corinnelapierre.com.

Whether or not you make your own felt or just enjoy stitching, the twenty different birds featured in this book might appeal as characters with a folksy feel. In designing the projects the author, Corinne Lapierre, has combined her love of felt, folk embroidery and birds. The first part of the book lists the necessary materials, tools and equipment required before moving on to the basic techniques for making the birds.This is followed by instructions for the embroidery stitches used in each project. Throughout this section the author adds a series of tips to help the maker work through the different techniques smoothly.The second part of the book concentrates on the different bird projects. For each bird there is a list of the materials and equipment required followed by step-by-step instructions for making. Cutting templates are also provided at the end of the book. The author points out that the birds themselves are relatively easy to make, but their characters are defined by the colours and embroidery stitches used.The information provided throughout the book is clearly presented and well illustrated. Each fun project should be achievable for anyone with a basic knowledge of stitch and embroidery.

• Introduction 6Materials & tools 8Techniques 10Embroidery stitches 17Projects 24Robin 26Blue Tit 30Goldfinch 34Chaffinch 36Swan 38Hen 42Pigeon 46Goose 48Flamingo 50Peacock 54Owl 58Pheasant 60Thrush 64Dove 66Stork 68Parrot 72Heron 76Toucan 78Puffin 80Seagull 84Templates 88