December 2, 2008

Robin tutorial

Right, here we go, as voted for in the christmas tutorial poll, a little 'how to' for a christmas robin.  You will need -

 background fabric of your choice (I used a red spotty print)
circle of brown fabric, 5cm diameter (mine is from a felted jumper)
circle of background felt in a colour of your choice (I used yellow), 5cm diameter
circle of felt for backing in a colour of your choice (I used green), 9cm diameter
red felt
brown felt
small white bead
green, red, and dark brown embroidery thread (I used pearl cotton 8)
a small amount of stuffing
sewing needle
scissors
embroidery hoop (optional)
16cm of ribbon or a blank greetings card for displaying


(print out the templates so the piece of paper they are drawn on is 10cm across)

Place your chosen background fabric in the embroidery hoop (or you can just hold it in your hand if you prefer), position the smaller circle of felt centrally, and attach with a ring of running stitch in green embroidery thread.


Next, take the brown fabric circle, and sew running stitch all the way around, about 0.5cm in from the edge, place a little stuffing in the centre, and pull the thread to gather it into a ball, secure with a few stitches.


With the brown thread still attached, sew the ball shape into position centrally to your base.  Next, cut the red breast shape from the red felt, and place on the left hand side of the ball (widest part of the template goes towards the top), sew on with random straight stitches in the red embroidery thread.


Cut the tail feathers, wing and beak from the brown felt.  Attach the tail using the brown thread and a few stitches at the base, positioning them with the shorter one above the longer one, continue to add the wing and folded over beak.  Then embroider two legs for your robin.  The next bit is a little tricky, still using the brown thread, after you have completed the legs, bring the needle through the robins body to the position you want the eye.  Thread on the bead, pushing it all the way down to the base, then before sewing the needle back through the bead, wrap the thread around the needle 3 times so essentially what you are doing is anchoring the bead with a french knot.  Be careful when going through the knot and bead not to pull too hard and pull the knot through the hole, what you want is the knot to sit above the hole.  If it does pull through, if your bead hole is bigger than mine is, then just make your french knot larger by wrapping the thread round more times.


Now you are ready to add some wording in red if you want to...,


and finish off by cutting down your backing fabric to a 9cm diameter circle.  Place this on top of the remaining circle of felt which is the same size and join the 2 together with blanket stitch round the edge in green.  You can either attach a loop of ribbon to the top of your robin and make a christmas decoration, or stick it on to the front of a greetings card, it's up to you!


If you make one, please do join the Lucykate Crafts... pattern pieces Flickr group so I can see what you've made.
Happy stitching!

79 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an adorable robin, thank you for sharing the pattern

Tina Peacock said...

Gorgeous little Robin! I wish I was as clever. My favourite thing about Christmas is watching my little boy in his Nativity play at school. I always get a bit tearful (& hide it, of course!)

Thalita Dol said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dolci Fusa said...

Thank you for sharing this cute pattern.
I love preparing gifts, this will be the second handmade Christmas.
Please, enter me to the giveaway.
Hugs,
Veronica

Thalita Dol said...

The robin is so so cute!

I guess, now, my favorite part of xmas is to craft christmasy things for the home, since this will be my first xmas in my own home as a happily newly married girl! ^^

Kisses from Brazil!

calicodaisy said...

The robin is so sweet. You think up such great art pieces, and thank for sharing the tutorials with us. I think the best thing about the holidays is the warm coziness we can create in our home and share with family and friends. -- Michele

Shelley said...

Gorgeous robin!

My favourite part of Christmas is waking up to the sound of my children running along the landing, stockings in tow, then jumping on our bed to see what's been stuffed inside xxx

Suzanne Vaughan said...

Really lovely robin LK! I love Christmas as long as I get to see all my family. I love handing out presents to people, especially if I have made them myself.

Abby and Stephanie said...

How nice of you to do a tutorial. Such a sweet birdie ornament. My favorite part of Christmas is Christmas morning; everyone in their flannel jammies in front of the fireplace, eating chocolate from the stockings BEFORE breakfast, pretty paper flying. I love the gifts but mostly I love the moment.

Sam Gillespie said...

Very cute Robin LK :) ... love the french knot/bead eye.

I really like christmas dinner - love a rst dinner anyway, but I just love the fact that everyone's together munching a good feast wearing silly paper hats!

Heikesquilt said...

Thank You for sharing the pattern, it's so cute.
My favourite thing for X-Mas is our tree. We've been collecting Christmas Balls and Bells from the German manufactor Hutschenreuther for many years and every year there a new ones and over the years our X-mas tree is almost full with theses balls and bells.
Have a nice X-Mas
Heike from Germany

Bethany said...

Thank you so much for the great ideas. My favorite part of Christmas is seeing my girls' excitement as they see the lights, trees, and presents.

Anonymous said...

Lovely tutorial, I'll definitely be putting it on my list of thigns to do :)

my favourite part of christmas is waking up christmas morning having a yummy breakfast with my family and then sitting and opening presents while still in PJs! (and of course my new sewing machine which is and early present!)

Kitty said...

Cute robin! My daughter is nagging me to make a little kitten (from your Sew Hip pattern) so I suspect I'll be doing one of those soon. x

Apryl said...

aww bless.. really sweet robin! I don't know that I will try to make one but he is lovely.

my favorite part of christmas is the smells, cookies baking in the oven, cinnamon, pine, roast dinner and fresh hot coffee!

Annie Scarlett said...

What a cute Robin. Thank you for the great giveaway!

My favorite part of Christmas is hearing what great things my kids come up with that they want. My 4 year old son wants a snowboard, trumpet and transformer and my 3 year old wants a huge giant bumblebee.

Anonymous said...

Oh so cute! I love the color combination you have :)

My Favorite part of Christmas is giving presents to those I love. I'm not so much of a receiving fan, but giving gifts and watching smiles upon excited faces is much more satisfing :)

ezeldabeth said...

what a fun ornament!

hmmm...my favorite is...food, decorations (esp. lights) and of course presents...giving and getting :)

Shsjndkdns said...

My fave thing about christmas is the wrapping the presents listening to christmassy music! The robin is lovely I would love to be entered! X Gemma X gemahogan@hotmail.com

annemarie said...

What an adorable pattern - thank you for sharing it with us. My favorite part of Christmas is the grandchildren - such joy watching their faces as they open gifts, listen to Christmas stories and bake cookies - priceless memories.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous pattern! My favourite part of Christmas is my little girl telling me what she wants to write to Santa (she's 2), and has said she'd like a "transforming Wall-e and some sweeties please". I wonder if her list will always be this short, eh!

Piroseper said...

I love the pattern, and I'd like to take part n the giveaway! I love the athmosphere of the christmas!

Shaina said...

I love all the love that seems to ooze from everyone!

Gem said...

Aw lovely, thanks for sharing this tutorial with us :) I love Christmas decorations - my little house is a bit like a grotto at this time of year!
x

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

AWW! This is DARLING, I love it! I'll be linking.

Katie said...

this is so gorgeous! My sis just had a baby and they've called her Robyn, i'm sure she'd love one of these.
My favourite part of Christmas is seeing the children open their presents

Greedy Nan said...

That was just so/sew fun watching how this make was going to develop. I might even be able to manage one of these! I found you via Flossie and Tom [and Fabric of my Life] and am going to have a lot of extra reading to do.
My best thing about Christmas is that people always seem extra nice to each other. If they can manage for one day, why not extend it to two, three, four and ever?

Endy said...

Molto carina! Hai bel lavori!

Anonymous said...

How sweet to share!
I love so much about this season! I think to be brief, it's sharing existing family traditions with my 3-year-old daughter, and creating new ones! The decorating - making them, hanging them; The Songs - new and old; and Christmas Cookies!

Anonymous said...

How cute! It would be exciting to win!
martinagrimm at comcast dot net

Alexandrina said...

Thank you for sharing pattern! My favorit part of Christmas is tree. Greetings from Moscow!

Andrea said...

These are so cute! I would love to win yours since I don't have time to make one.

Laura said...

All your creations are adorable! I'm especially loving your spools in your Etsy shop!

cristy said...

Oh thank you. What a gorgeous pattern.

My favourite thing about Christmas is the excuse to make stuff - decorations, cards, presents, food etc AND watching my little one enjoy the wonder...

Oh, and the carols. I secretly (well, not so secretly now) love the tradional carols.

Alisa said...

Really cute robin. Thanks for the pattern. What I love most about Christmas, all my kids are home from college and we get to spend time together. Presents are good too. Giving as well as receiving :)

Jackie said...

My favoutite part of Christmas is watching my tired, but happy children opening their presents early on Christmas morning, the visits to see Santa, and of course the food!!

Becky J. said...

love the giving spirit!! thanks for sharing.

sara said...

I love Christmas thanks for the tutorial.

Lisa said...

I love Christmas but my favourite thing is getting to spend the whole day with my family and the tradition of the whole days activites

manda said...

Shopping! I love walking around all the shops with their beautiful displays of tinsil and baubles, carols playing in the background and smiles on peoples faces. The beautiful Xmas cakes with their holly toppers are also a favourite! As is Xmas cards! I love sending a card I know someone will love, and often shop around until I find the right one for that person.
I also made a couple of robins for the tree. (blogged)

Nita said...

Thanks for the tutorial Amy. I might try to have a go for the Flickr page. My favourite part of Christmas is to see my partner (yes partner!) getting all excited about it - even more excited than my 7 year old it always feels. You gotta love 'em.

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog and love the robin, not sure if I'm that crafty but may give it a try one day. What I enjoy about Christmas is being with my family, my mother has cancer so every Christmas is special as long as she is here for me to be with on Christmas and all thur the year I spend as much time as I can because I dont know how much time we have. Have a Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing your blog. Debbie in Alabama

Gone to Earth said...

That robin is gorgeous, like a little pudding. I love the lights everywhere in the trees and villages. I love the sense of aniticpation that the children have. I love christmas cake to pieces and the church bells that ring at midnight on Christmas Eve.

Anonymous said...

i love out yearly tradition of snuggling up to watch 'the muppets christmas carol' after putting up the decorations, it then really feels like christmas is coming
Kelly (kboof@hotmail.com)

Nancy said...

Cute robin.
I love the ornaments and
time to finally relax at
Christmas.
Thanks for the giveaway.

TheresaK said...

adorable robin!!
My fav part of Christmas is to see my daughters eyes light up at all the presents, lights, decorations. Oh and a little bit of the girls booking the other way when it comes to sittin on Santa's lap..hehe! they do eventually sit after much bribing to get a pic!ha!

Anonymous said...

such a sweet little bird. i think he wants to fly to vienna and spend xmas with me and my family. don't you think so too? ;-) erika

Anonymous said...

and now the serious answer. sorry just couldn't help myself. i love the smell of cinnamon, seeing all my family and having backed apples from an old oven in my fathers workshop. erika

idyll hands said...

What an ADORABLE ornament. My favorite part of Christmas would have to be the Christmas tree. I love sitting on my couch at night, looking at it all lit up in my front window. There has always been something so magical about the Christmas tree as I was growing up and now, as an adult, I still love the tree.

Hannah said...

What a fabulous robin thanks for the great tutorial, I'm definitely gonna have a go, even if I win ;)

LindaSonia said...

My favorite decor item of Christmas is the lights. I love driving down streets and looking at the lights. Love the robin. LindaSonia (baddabinda@yahoo.com)

nela said...

ohhh that most beautiful thing ... to see the most wonderful part of Christmas is the fact the family together ... is the sharing and helping him from terrorist attacks?

Anonymous said...

He is lovely! I love these little robins.
Christmas has so many wonderful things - but I think I love the snow the best - it makes everything so peaceful and so clean. It makes you have hope that everything can be alright with the world.

Susan W

Apple Valley said...

Hi, your Robin is lovely, thank you for the tutorial.

I love everything about christmas but i think the best bit is seeing the kids faces when they first see the tree with the presents under it.

Dawn said...

Too cute...thanks for the tutorial! My fav part of Christmas are reading the Christmas story, eating and watching Christmas movies.

Angela said...

I love the foods, to make the tree ornaments, to give a hug in everybody!!

Susan said...

Cute robin. My favorite part of Christmas, is the time I spend with my family.

Anonymous said...

Cute ornament....thanks for sharing your pattern.
My favorite part of Christmas is having our grown son spend the night Christmas Eve and we wake up Christmas morning to see what 'Santa' brought. Silly, but still wonderful.

Prue said...

I love the robin. My favourite part of Christmas is remembering the birth of Jesus. And getting all the family together in the hopefully-not-too-sweltering Australian heat!

Belinda Y said...

Thank you for this tutorial! He's adorable, I would love to try making one myself. My favourite part of Christmas is watching my children tear open their presents in about 2 minutes.

Julia said...

I'd love to win that robin! so sweet!!
Favorite part of Christmas...Lights, tree, food, preasants, two week off work and school!!

Jenny said...

My favourite part of Christmas is choosing and wrapping gifts for my family. Of course, I like receiving gifts too :)

Funky Finds said...

My favorite part is putting up my Christmas tree. I love sitting in the dark at night admiring the beautifully lit up tree I have! Jessica info(at)funkyfinds(dot)us

Sunnymommie said...

so cute!! my fiance's mom love bird. I would like to give her, if I win:)

Stitchbird said...

I love having family around, being at home not having to rush anywhere and the sunny weather.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this tutoriel, I like very much this ball, it is going to have many of succés, hello of France

quitethecrow said...

What a charming tutorial! I added your link to my blog sometime back since I love to come here and lurk! Thank you for the wonderful eye candy I so enjoy!

I was tagged by Nancy Tobin, and thought of adding you to this offer. Here are the rules, if you'd like to join in...

1. Link to person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules
3. Tell 6 quirky but boring, unspectacular details about yourself
4. Tag 6 other bloggers by linking to them
5. Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged

Jingle said...

This is so adorable! I love it! My favorite thing about Christmas is the extra time I get to spend with my husband!

Swirlyarts said...

How sweet! I'd love to be considered for the giveaway :)

klaudia said...

Oh...your robin is fantastic... I am truly amazed!!! My favourite part of Christmas is the anticipation, devoting my time to make gifts for others,,,and I love Christmas Eve, we usually have special meal on christmas eve-just before Christmas really begins!!! And then I just love relaxed and warm atmosphere of Christmas. Oh..I am so excited about this Christmas!!!!!!

Ilissa said...

The thing I love most about Christmas is spending time with family and of course the baking as well!

Ana Salomé said...

I'm sorry I missed the deadline of your giveaway :( I really love Christmas and my favourite parts are the food (I'm already dreaming about it :)), the time spent with my family and the spirit (which includes singing along to Xmas tunes while making Christmas presents, food and many ohter things)!
I'm also having a giveaway in my blog until tomorrow night; take a look & participate, it will be fun :)

Kelly Fletcher said...

Too cute. Love the little round body.

Mrs Moog said...

Oh what a gorgeous little robin!!

Thanks for sharing the tutorial :)

xxx

Angel.Pearls said...

So many cute, beautiful, handmade things...Best wishes// Eva

qtmom said...

this robin is so cute...you can be sure I will be making one of my own!

Robin :)

Anonymous said...

Lindo, lindo,lindo.... Parabéns...!!! Amei de paixão..!!!

Silvia LGD (Little Green Doll) said...

It's so lovely!!! :)

Christy Grant said...

Cute ornament! I am sharing it on Pinterest so you may see an increase in activity here.