I wanted to include a warbler in the Birds of Beebe Woods piece and found that a handful of varieties live in our area, each with their own distinct markings. I liked the look of the black throated green warbler best and thought its color patterns and striped wings would show up against the brownish gold background fabric.
To start, I found many photographs of warblers in books and on the internet and sketched until I found a pose that fit into the scene of birds. After making paper patterns, I cut out the bird’s shape from acid free matt board and cut pieces of white, green, black and yellow from wool felt. Thinking ahead, I glued cheap acrylic felt to the back of the matt board body, so there would be something to grab the stitches while the front felt piece was later being sewn in place. I also basted thick wool felt padding to the top of the matt board piece.
I embroidered the texture and markings on the warbler’s green head. The bead eye is sewn inside a cut out hole in the yellow felt. Periodically, I would hold the bird up against the background fabric, to make sure there was enough contrast.
I used a combination of blanket stitch, fly stitch and lots of little single stitches.
The wing’s stripes were defined by chain stitched lines.
To finish, I made a little felt tail and added thread wrapped wire legs. Then, the black throated green warbler was ready to join the flock.
To see more posts about the making of Birds of Beebe Woods, see the archives here. An 18″ x 24″ poster (pictured at the beginning of this post) and note cards are available through my Etsy Shop.
SALLEY MAVOR 
Beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing. have a good one
such a gorgeous work ! Love it
Such incredible work. I just love to see the process of those birds from start to finish and I marvel each time I see them.
It’s just fascinating to see how these come together. Thank you so much for sharing your process. Even though I see how you did it, it is still hard to believe!! I’m in awe of the combination of artistry, skill, and most importantly – patience!!!
I am so much in awe of your work. I love the birds! Thanks for showing your process.
Thanks Sally for laying out the details. Although you are very humble, it takes a long time to be able to get to this ability. Good you started as a young girl with a Mom and Dad fostering those skills. Because today you are creating master pieces!
I love seeing how your creations come together. Truly a work of beautiful art. Aamzing detail.
C’est magnifique comme toujours!!
Your artwork is so beautiful and I am in awe with it. It is the type of artwork that you could stare at forever to try to soak in the beauty and creativity. I just favorited your Etsy Shop and put your wonderful picture book on my wish list for my children for Christmas. Thanks for sharing your creativity and talent with us. Take Care!
What did you use to make the beak? Is it a scrap of leather? I love this piece so much!
I’m so glad that you enjoy it so much, Carla! The beak is made of wire that is wound with a single strand of embroidery floss. The top and bottom of the beak are separate wires and their shape is defined through the build up of thread.