Quilt Class for Owls

These are the last (but not least) of the Raw Edge Applique Owls made on the Day School by members of the Lytham St Annes Embroiderers Guild Group.
Read previous Posts here and here.

 Lovely Owl with green paisley wings. Notice how the paisley shapes differ in size becoming larger further up the body; and such sweet floral ears. 
Leaves make up the ears  and wings to great effect on the Owl, below. Flowers have been used to create feathery effects at the throat and legs although a little higher up on this owls legs perhaps denoting his or her age and stature.
More fabric pieces awaiting placement on the left.

This is a real Cutie Pie, above, with jade green leaves making lovely wings and a thistle embellishment adding chest decoration. The clam shell fabric mentioned in this post, makes for very good leg feathers or 'fancy pants'. Really sweet.

 This fabulously colourful Owl, above, could have been made by Kaffe Fasset himself - wonderfully bohemian.
Below, our paisley feathered friend touting a fascinator on her head is perched on a branch awaiting her date. Ooh La La...

 Here is another 'Pretty Young Thing' above. Pretty pink elements and the butterflies and large yellow flower make for an adorable lil' owl.
So you see there is no need to stay within the safe confines of what is traditionally 'owl like'. Why not add uniqueness to those feathers with flowers and butterflies and a bit of bling. 
We did not have time to start sewing on the day - everyone was far too busy quietly snipping and cutting and preening feathers. Not much 'tweeting' or 'twittering' went on as everyone was fully immersed and absorbed by the activity. This cutting and sticking thing is very therapeutic :-)
If you would like to have a go yourself contact Lizzie Wall here.

Here is the final line up of all the Owls at the end of the day. A fine flock am sure you will agree :-)
All that is needed now is a piece of backing fabric topped with some wadding an inch or so larger than the top layer with the owl on and then a little quilting.
Lower the feed dogs on your sewing machine and attach a Darning foot (aka a Hopper foot) so that you can free-machine around the various elements of your owl design. Sew closely to each feather or piece in either matching or co-ordinating thread, following the outline of each shape. 
To quilt the background sew lines close together around the body echoing the shape. This lends itself to using a variegated thread colour as there are many colours in the owl itself and a variegated thread prevents having one background colour fighting for attention with your main subject. 
Add bling by using metallic threads or hand sew beads or tiny buttons or sparkly cut out shapes. Can't wait to see the finished results.
Thank you to all our members for allowing photos of their lovely owls and to Lizzie Wall for tutoring us in a very enjoyable workshop.