I’m on a deadline today, so Sunday stitching will happen tomorrow while I finish up this project. But last Sunday I finished the tree! Now all the background stuff is complete and I can settle down and work on the birds.
I planned on just using Splendor for the birds but I’m going add a bit more texture by using High Cotton or other matte threads for the legs and feet. I’ll use Neon Rays for the beaks. I have plenty of these threads on hand, so I can stitch from stash.
If the legs are thick I’m going to stitch them in Tent or Reverse Tent, depending on the direction of the legs. This gives me a neutral texture and will keep the emphasis on the feathers.
If the legs are thins I’m going to stitch them in Oblique Continental. This is a great stitch for straight lines and has more texture than Tent.
Spaces like beaks present particular problems because they have diagonal edges that slant in both directions. You can use Tent, changing direction with each half, but I like a smoother look. I’ve adapted my technique of doing Gobelin for Flowers to bird beaks which you see in the bird from my Iconographic Needlepoint Club, below.
I think it will look great!
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Sarah Beth says
This one looks super cute. I love the stitches you are using for them.