American Redstart Quilt Square Kit

Description

The American Redstart Quilt Square Kit makes a 16″ square with the black frame or a 12″ square without the frame.

The American Redstart is a woodland warbler.  Warblers are known as the “butterflies of the bird world”, exhibiting beautiful color as they fly and while stationary fanning their wings and tail feathers to show off.  It feeds on insects as it flies more like a flycatcher than a warbler.

They have been known to live up to 10 years. Based on the drawings of Alexander Wilson from the mid 1800s, this square may be joined with others in the series to make a beautiful quilt or wall hang, or it can be made into a 14″ pillow by adding a pillow insert, or it can be used as a standalone piece. Some of bird parts have puzzle edges to aid in properly aligning the parts during assembly.

Everything you need to start is right in the package including precision cut wool felt, floss, a sewing needle and instructions.

Rating: Apprentice – 4 Hours

This product is Made in the USA in our Shop in Colfax, California.

Instructions (Use Black Floss except where noted):

1. Pin the tree, branches, and blossoms to a green square being careful to match the box photo.
2. Blanket stitch the tree and branches to the green square except for the outer edges of the square.
3. Pin and blanket stitch the following:
   1. Black back and cream tummy using black and cream floss.
   2. The spice wing followed by the black tail feather.
   3. The shoulder wing.
4. Pin and blanket stitch the Cherry Blossom cream petals then repeat for the pink centers.
5. Add the beak, and feet with brown floss outlined in black floss.
6. Add the eye using brown floss.
7. Add decorative stitching to the tree and branches.
8. Blanket stitch the green square to one black backing.
9. Using cream floss, add a second black backing and blanket stitch the edges.

Options: Add a 14” x14” pillow form to make a pillow or stitch squares together to for a quilt or wall hanging.

Our wool felt is Made in the USA from wool grown in the USA.  It is a blend of 35% wool and 65% rayon.

Why A Blend? 

• Our goal was to have a blend that is close to the wool/cotton blend which has been in use for hundreds of years through out the world.
• The wool/cotton blend was favored over 100% wool or 100% cotton as the combination provided much better service
  • The wool provided strength and warmth while the cotton added breathability and softness to touch.
  • It was an ideal combination for all kinds of weather and purposes.
• Rayon and cotton are almost identical with cotton being a little bit softer and rayon being more silky or shinny on the surface.

How are Rayon and Cotton Different?

• Rayon is made from cellulose, a carbohydrate plant substance, derived from wood and wood pulp which is then made into fibers.
• Cotton is made of cellulose fibers from the cotton plant.