Bird House Block Tutorial

Again, I had a lot of requests during the Celebrate Red, White and Blue Blog Hop for this block, BUT it was our lovely Hostess Jane who's request touched me to present this tutorial.

I am offering a basic pattern that I alter a lot for different looks - almost like the children's 'flip' books where you can change out sections to make the picture look different. Page one is the bird house and page two has options for a house on a pole or to hang from a tree.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B31QkNaJFZ7yeFhzSUdCM0VXb1E/edit

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B31QkNaJFZ7yTC1ydnpsUC16LVU/edit

**if you are new to paper piecing - there are a lot of tutorials on the web - this is just a tutorial in reference to using the pattern**  I work like this when I paper piece - and it gets worse!  I use scraps, chunks, strips, and bits when paper piecing.  I think it takes me ten times longer to select fabrics than it takes me to make the block.

This is a couple of ways you can change the pattern.  For new paper piecers - let the fabric do the work for you and eliminate all those parts and just do solid pieces.  Even change that roof section to one strip rather than the two.  Or if a little confident - add those little brace bars for added elements.  The hole can be an applique circle or a button. 

Yes, I am giving you permission to change this pattern!  I use color pencils to change lines  - in my 'note book' of flip parts I keep a couple of copies of each section; a test page with notes all over it and a printable copy for use.  This just shows how you can change the bottom section for a different look - again, let the fabric do the work for you if a beginner.

This was the little house I sent for a swap.  Using the same pattern, extend your top to a point and the bottom can be shortened and layout of pieces can be changed.  Use that color pencil - never use crayons - if you iron those you get a mess!!  And you see the leaves.  I offered a very basic two-leaf section - NOTE the pattern will have to be cut on the RED line because it has to be made in two sections **be sure to add seam allowance fabric on that cut line - write a note on the pattern piece if you have to**  As far as the dimensional leaves - there are tutorials, I just fuse two differnt fabrics, draw a leaf with pen, and stitch just inside that line with a small straight stitch, then cut out on the pen line - hand sew some veins or use some color sharpies.  Attach with a stitch or two and a button. 

I hope you enjoy using the pattern, feel free to alter any way, I'm free to answer questions, most importantly - have fun with it! 

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon