Craft group ~ to the ladybird ~ a tutorial

Oh! Ladybird, Ladybird, why dost thou roam
So far from thy comrades, so distant from home?
Why dost thou, who canst revel all day in the air,
Who the sweets of the grove and the garden, canst share;
In a fold of a leaf, who canst form thee a bower,
And a palace enjoy in the tube of a flower;
Ah, why, simple Ladybird, why doust thou venture,
The dwellings of man so familiar to enter?

by Charlotte Smith cira 1807

They are a bit cute.. I wanted to make an orange one too but got a bit distracted finishing off making next week's project (always one step ahead!)

Just before I leap into the tutorial I wanted to show you how my pirate from last week turned out; I think he is fabulous (especially his wee hook!) I have my head swimming with ideas to improve him so consider this a prototype!

Right ladybirds ~

You will need the pattern template from here, scraps of red (orange, yellow), green and black felt, embroidery floss (work with two strands), wood roving for stuffing and I think that is it. (Oh you might like to use little black buttons or beads for the wing spots).

Cut out your pieces (remember the sparkle pen tip for tracing onto black felt).

Sew felt spots, black beads, buttons or french knots onto the wings first.

Then paying attention to your As, Bs and Cs, stitch the wings to the side of the head section. Then stitch the funny little V bit which will curve the head nicely.

Ok, now using red thread (or other coordinating colour) stitch the wings together down the centre back.

 

Now find the centre of your base and match it with the centre wing seam. Starting with the curved head end begin stitching the top and base together. The base will seem too small, don't panic, you need to ease your stitching to make the top fit the base so that you get a nicely domed ladybird.

Leave a bit of a gap before you close the stitching and stuff it firmly but not so it is bursting at the seams.

Close it up; leave your needle threaded and attached. To make antenna, bring your needle and thread out in an antennerish spot on its head and make a small back stitch/knot flush with the spot. then bring the thread directly up to what looks like a good length and tie a knot in the thread before snipping the thread with scissors just above the knot. Go in again on the opposite side and do it all again.

 

You can stitch your finished ladybird to a little leaf (add a clasp to the back and it is a brooch, pop it on some black elactic and it is a sweet little headband, or just sit it on the bench and let little hands play with it).