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How to Make Birds Out of Canvas

These canvas birds, which are easy to make from simple materials, make a perfect gift for friends, family, teachers and bird lovers alike. Canvas birds can be made any size, color, or pattern. These birds will add charm to any space -- making them yourself makes them extra special.

Things You'll Need

1 yard canvas cloth
Tissue paper
Black buttons (for eyes)
Scissors
Needle
Thread

Instructions

- 1
  
  Begin by drawing your pattern onto the paper.
  
  Draw the pattern onto tissue paper. You can obtain a pattern online, or make your own. Bird patterns typically consist of two main parts: the body and the belly. Sketch the "body" piece by drawing the side profile of a bird. Sketch the "belly" piece by drawing a stretched-out oval with pointed ends. The oval should long enough to run between the "beak" and the "feet" on the body pattern. You can also draw wings. Referring to a pre-made pattern will help.
- 2
  
  Cut the pattern from the tissue paper.
  
  Cut the pieces out of the tissue paper. This will serve as your bird pattern.
- 3
  
  A nice reference photo will help inspire your design.
  
  Lay the pattern pieces onto your piece of canvas. Cut out the canvas pieces. You will need two body parts that are mirror images of each other: one belly, and two wings.
- 4
  
  Stitch the edges of the body and belly together either by hand or with a machine.
  
  Lay the two body pieces on top of each other. Make sure edges are perfectly aligned. Stitch along the edge, starting just under the beak, going around the top of the head and back, and ending underneath where the "feet" should be. The belly area should be left open.
- 5
  Stitch the belly into place. Attach one pointed end of the oval just below the beak. Attach the other end at the point where the feet should be. Align the edges of the oval with the body of the bird. Stitch the belly and body pieces together, leaving a small opening towards the bottom large enough to turn the bird inside-out.
- 6
  Turn the bird inside out through the hole. If you have wings, eyes, feet, or other accents for your bird, hand-stitch them in place. Stuff your bird with stuffing. Stitch the hole closed. Finish by embellishing your canvas bird with ribbons or flowers.

Sewing