A pair of love birds play a starring role in block #2 of the BIRDS OF A FEATHER BOM.

This block is released as #2, but it will be the first block in my 9-block quilt. It represents January/February theme. Block #1 will be my last block.

SUPPLIES - The same general supplies are the same for all of the blocks. See the previous post for a list of those supplies.

Felted Wool

Birds - 5” square heather gray
Wings - 3” square mini gray/white check
Heart - 5” square pink/black check or plaid
Love - 3 1/2” square black
Flower - 1 1/2” square off-white
Flower Center - 1" square pink

Thread - Embroidery floss or perle cotton, or a combination of both can be used.

Thread Substitutions

2 strands of floss = 1 strand of perle cotton, size 12

3 strands of floss = 1 strand of perle cotton, size 8

5 strands of floss = 1 strand of perle cotton, size 5

Whip stitch - use floss or perle cotton, size 12 in colors that match the colors of your wool.

Heart and wing embellishments - floss or perle cotton, size 8 in two shades of pink (light and dark)

Bird legs, eye, and tail embellishments - floss or perle cotton, size 8 black

Bird’s Beak - 4 strands of dark mauve

Block #2 Layout and Pattern

Instructions

Trace the reversed pattern images onto fusible web. Cut out leaving a small (1/8”) border around each pattern.
Fuse pattern pieces to designated wool using steam. Cut out along traced lines.

3. Position the heart and birds onto the background block using the layout as your guide. I’m using my light box for precise placement.

4. Position the wings, letters, and flower using the layout as your guide. Fuse in place using steam.

5. Position the flower center on the flower and then fuse in place using steam.

6. Whip stitch everything in place beginning with the smallest pieces first. Use 2 strands of floss, or perle cotton, size 12 in colors that match your wool colors.

7. Use a fabric marker to draw the legs of the birds. I used my lightbox and layout for accurate placement.

8. Use 3 strands of black floss, or 1 strand of perle cotton, size 8 to chain stitch over the drawn lines.

9. Use a fabric marker to draw the tail embellishments.

10. Use 3 strands of black floss, or 1 strand of perle cotton, size 8 to make a series of double fly stitches.

11. Use 5 strands of pink (I used a pink slightly darker that the heart color) used to whip stitch the heart) floss, or one strand of perle cotton, size 5 to back stitch around each wing. Note: If you want to add the swirl to your wing I would skip this step and go onto step 12.

12. I chose not to add the swirl to the wings because it looked too busy with the mini check. If you wish to add it to your design you will need to draw some guide lines with a fabric marking pen, and then back stitch over the lines with 3 strands of floss, or 1 strand of perle cotton, size 8.

13. Use 4 strands of dark mauve floss or 2 strands of perle cotton, size 12 to satin stitch the beaks of each of the birds.

14. Use 3 strands of black floss, or 1 strand of perle cotton, size 8 to make colonial knot eyes.

15. Use 3 strands of pink floss, or 1 strand of perle cotton, size 8 to make fly stitches around the heart. Begin at the cleavage of the heart, at the base of one of the lobes. You should be able to make 3 small fly stitches between the cleavage and the leg of the bird on the right. Make 2 small fly stitches between the legs, and then continue down to the bottom of the heart.

Continue around the other side of the heart.

Almost done!

16. You will need one off-white and 2 shades of pink threads for this step. Use 3 strands of off-white floss, or 1 strand of perle cotton, size 8 to stitch a single colonial knot in the center of the “O” in LOVE.

17. Use the darker of the 2 pinks (3 strands of floss, or one strand of perle cotton, size 8) to stitch 4 lazy daisy stitches around the colonial knot.