The Dream Birds Are Here!

The Dream Bird patterns have finally flown into view and can now be purchased as PDFs from my website here!

Four years ago I launched my first PDF patterns with my first 4 bird applique patterns. Somehow these real life birds have now evolved into imaginary ‘dream birds’!

I first started creating these back in September with Dovely above. I was just playing around really.

Following on from my initial experiments with organic applique with embroidery (detailed in this post) I began creating dream flowers and made a fabric book with them. They also inspired my new Aurifil collection (dream flowers post here) and then I thought ‘what about dream birds?’.

They were so fun to stitch and such an immediate success on Instagram that I kept making them (parrotowl and fidgeon were created next) and as well as their fun names I started to make up imaginary biographies for each bird. Some people did get a little confused about these and thought I was talking about REAL birds!

Of course I decided these should become a fabric book too and made 10 different birds for the pages.

I created a front cover with embroidered text and used a left over dream flower for the back cover. This became my sample fabric book for The Thread House retreat at the end of September.

It was only after I had finished the book that I realised I should have embroidered the bird names on each page (as I had done with my fabric book of real birds). I didn’t actually get around to doing this until a few days ago! If you are on IG then you can view a reel of me flicking through the finished book. It really is a delightful object even if I say so myself.

Over the last few weeks I have been working hard to produce the PDF patterns. I have always had help with my previous patterns as I am not very tecchy and capable at the templates and design/layout type stuff.

But I was determined to do these myself so I made myself learn how to use Procreate on the iPad for all the templates and for the cute illustrations like bobbing quirk on the left. In the end I really enjoyed it, especially the colouring in!

I used an app called Canva for the covers and everything else was quite straight forward.

Each 8 page PDF pattern contains templates and instructions to make a 8″ block (motif size 4½” to 5½”). The pattern includes full embroidery stitch guide (Canva helped with this too), extensive needle-turn applique tips and instructions for raw-edge machine applique. I’ve also included the imaginary biography of each bird (you can read these on the product page too).

Each of the original 10 birds can be bought as a single pattern for £3.50.

I have produced two 5 x bird bundles for £14 each OR you can buy the full 10 bird bundle which includes the Fabric Book Instructions (including covers) FREE for £28.

The Fabric Book Instructions with Front and Back Covers pattern is also available as a single pattern for £5.

I am offering a special introductory offer with 25% off all Dream Bird patterns until midnight Sunday 28th January. No code needed, the discount has already been applied, and prices will return to normal next Monday. Head to the website page here for more info.

I’m very proud of these patterns and I do hope you like them too and enjoy creating your own Dream Birds as much as I do!

I have 2 new Dream Bird projects in the works including using the birds on a pillow and on an item of clothing! I will leave you with a sneak peek of a new fidgeon for the pilllow.