We're all a-gaggle over this Spring Goose hoop art from Maker Team member Kelly of @bykellyjo. Just take a gander at the bouquets tucked under their felt wings! These sweet designs are guaranteed to brighten someone's day with just a little bit of time and a few supplies. And this seems like a good time to mention that Mother's Day and Teacher Appreciation are just around the corner!
A little bit silly and a little bit sweet, this Spring Goose embroidery combines basic embroidery stitches with lush wool felt to bring to life a feathered friend. Mix and match her headwear and bitty bouquet for a customized look. Your completed hoop art is the perfect little addition to your springtime decor!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 2 hours
Additional Supplies:
Spring Goose Pattern (click to download)
Silk Ribbon, 7mm - optional
Directions:
1. Cut a 6 x 6" piece of linen fabric (or roughly 1" larger than hoop on all sides.) Secure fabric in hoop.
2. Download and print Spring Goose Pattern above. Pattern includes three Goose designs with a variety of headwear and flowers. Bodies are all the same.
3. Trace Embroidery Pattern Template onto fabric in hoop with Frixion pen. Place template behind fabric with a light source behind, such as a light box or window for easier tracing.
4. Cut out paper Felt Cut Templates and use to trace shapes onto felt. Cut out.
5. Sew Goose Body in place on linen using a running stitch and two strands of DMC 3865.
6. Fill Beak and Feet with split stitch and three strands of DMC 921. For Eye, make a French knot (one wrap) using three strands of DMC 310.
Use guides below to embellish various designs before continuing to Step 7.
Winnie Goose
a. Hat + Bow: Backstitch with six strands of DMC 3712. Bow is created with straight stitches and detached chain stitches using same floss.
b. Flower Stems + Leaves: Straight stitches and a fishbone stitch with three strands of DMC 500. Stitch Stems first, then place the last stitches of fishbone Leaves into Stem to help hold it in place.
c. Felt Flowers: French knots (two-three wraps) with six strands of DMC 3865.
Mabel Goose
a. Hat + Bow: Backstitch with six strands of DMC 224. Bow is created with straight stitches and detached chain stitches using same floss.
b. Flower Stems + Leaves: Straight stitches and a fishbone stitch with three strands of DMC 471.
c. Felt Flowers: Five to six straight stitches with three strands of DMC 471.
Vera Goose
a. Hat + Bow: Backstitch with six strands of DMC 3852. Bow is created with straight stitches and detached chain stitch using six strands of DMC 554.
b. Flower Stems + Leaves: Straight stitches and a fishbone stitch with three strands of DMC 935.
c. Felt Flowers: French knots (two-three wraps) with six strands of DMC 3852.
7. In order to give the Wing dimension, use two layers of felt. Wing Layer 1 is smaller and sits centered beneath Wing Layer 2. With both pieces of felt in place, secure using a running stitch with two strands of DMC 3865. Center of Wing will appear slightly raised and Wing will partially cover Flower Stems.
8. To finish back of embroidery hoop, trim excess linen to roughly ¾ - 1" around hoop.
9. Use six strands of embroidery floss (any color) and a running stitch to stitch around perimeter. Pull both ends of floss so fabric gathers into a tight circle on backside of hoop. Tie a knot in the floss to secure.
10. Use a blanket stitch with two strands of embroidery floss to attach felt Hoop Back to back of hoop. Make sure to sew through felt and gathered linen, but not through to front side of embroidery.
11. As an optional embellishment, tie a ribbon to top of hoop for an extra sweet detail.
Honk if you love your new Spring Goose embroidery! This is also a great project to use up felt and thread scraps, especially to customize the headwear and flowers. Mix and match the accessories and use your favorite colors to make your goose as silly or sweet as you’d like.
Thanks to Kelly for designing and writing this tutorial! You can see more of her work on Instagram @bykellyjo and on her website. Stay tuned for more tutorials from the Benzie Design Maker Team!
