I have finally made enough progress on Bertie the Blackbird to show you. I started him in May at a three day Embroiderers Guild workshop with Nicola Jarvis who is the designer of this beautiful bird. By the end of the three days I had started and more or less mastered each section, I just had to finish it…
This is where I was last time I showed you…
I had just finished the twirly shapes across his shoulders and the tiny seeding stitches in between.
I’m working my way through the instruction booklet now, checking I stitch everything in the right order. I couched some silver thread around the large black leaf shapes together with a fine silver line along the vein. I love the effect of the couching.
The next area to be tackled was the black tear drops and the little dots. These were stitched in satin stitch. I remembered this time to edge the shape with split stitch first as it does make a better shape with the satin stitch.
This bit did seem to take a long time, once they were all stitched I used a light grey DMC thread to make tiny seeding stitches around the tear drops and the dots.
‘All’ I’ve got to do now is the large grey leaves with their silk shading, I say ‘all’ as it might be the trickiest bit. I’ve a little more couching too and then Bertie will be finished. I’ve a few ripples in the unstitched area which I’m hoping will merge with the stitching, if not I think I may be stretching it by hand before I take it to the framers, maybe with a bit of padding underneath!
Hopefully not too long before Snoopy can do a happy dance again!
thecraftycreek 
Beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Laura
LikeLike
Stunning! And the couched silver thread around the leaf shape is a little touch that really lifts it. Happy dance indeed ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Anne, I was quite surprised the difference that little silver thread made!
LikeLike
Lovely work, Margaret. I’m a bird motif enthusiast in embroidery and admire Nicola Jarvis’ work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Prue, she has some lovely designs.
LikeLike
He’s really lovely! You’ve done a wonderful job of stitching him. The silver couched thread makes a lovely and delicate amount of bling to him. Satin stitch can be tiring, I’m still going with all the seeding stitches in mine! Fingers crossed I can get onto the shading soon 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Catherine, it’s just enough bling for me 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s looking very handsome. What stitch will you use to outline him at the end?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kate, his body and tail are couched in the silver thread, so shouldn’t take too long once I get to that bit 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bertie looks amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kate, I’m pleased with him
LikeLiked by 1 person
As somebody who’s having difficulty sewing a couple of eyes and some whiskers on a stuffed rabbit at the moment I am in awe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ah, but I can’t crochet like you can 🙂
LikeLike
We all have our crosses to bear I suppose 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous, gorgeous design brilliantly stitched.
LikeLike
Echo ing everyone’s comments, just stunning!
LikeLike
Bertie is looking very handsome!
LikeLike
The silver couching really changes the look of him! I do love those tiny seed stitches in between the satin, such a nice design touch. You are doing a lovely job on this!
LikeLike