Red Headed Woodpecker Quilt Square Kit

Description

The Red Headed Woodpecker Quilt Square Kit makes a 16″ square with the black frame or a 12″ square without the frame.

The Woodpecker has dazzling plumage and can catch insects in the air.  Their favorite foods are acorns and beech nuts.  It is one of four species of woodpeckers known to store food and the only one to cover the food with bark.  They fiercely defend their territory.

They have been known to live up to 9-10 years.

This bird triggered Alexander Wilson’s interest in birds and thus his drawings of birds.  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 trunk and branches to the green square, being careful to match the box photo.
2. Blanket stitch the branches and tree trunk to the green square, but leave the outer edges of the square un-stitched.
3. Pin and blanket stitch the black tail in black, then the red head in red.
4. Pin and blanket stitch the cream tail, then the black small tail, then the cream back and finally, the black back cape.
5. Chain stitch the beak. Add a French knot to make the eye center and chain stitch cream around it.
6. Back stitch the feather details in black and cream floss.
7. Back stitch the tree trunk and branches to make the bark come alive.
8. Pin and blanket stitch the cherry blossom cream petals then repeat for the pink centers.
9. Blanket stitch the green square to one black backing.
10. 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.