Making a Tree of Birds Applique

First I drew a bird then traced the pattern onto baking parchment. I abandoned the idea of doing the separate wing feathers in the end as realised I was making it too complicated.

Then I cut out all the birds in different coloured felt. Felt doesn't fray so it's good for applique. Theoretically the applique stitch should bind in the edges of any material but as this was my first attempt I went for the easy option.

 And then sewed each bird together using the applique stitch on my machine. You could do that bit by hand if you could be trusted to be neat. (I can't.) I made the eyes big as they appeal to the grandchildren more than the more natural beady eyes.

Then I sewed each bird onto the heavy cotton backing fabric.

 

Then I added bits of brown felt for branches and lots of green leaves. I did a straight stitch through the middle of each leaf then zig-zagged round the edges. Plain zig- zag uses less thread than the applique stitch-ie you need to re-thread your bobbin less often! But it also gives a different look to contrast with birds. The leaves took a while and there is a lot of turning the whole piece around as you sew. I think I'll probably sew this onto another piece of fabric, do a plain border and make it into a wall-hanging.