Eagle Tutorial

I had a huge request for the Eagle block that was presented during the  Celebrate Red, White and Blue Blog Hop.  So I have written up a tutorial and made downloadable files for the templates.  I profess that I do a little fuseable applique so you can certainly adjust my explaination to fit your abilities.

I rough sketched a new Eagle from the original block.  When I started the first block I drew out rough lines and then broke them down into silouhette sections.  You can do this with any picture/drawing for a fun new look.

Next I used a 'fat' sharpie to fill in.  You can use a pencil or color pencil or even crayons - I just happen to have a huge tub filled with sharpies.  **note - you want the coloring to be a dark so you can see for tracing thru fabric**

Print the two - Eagle one and Eagle two -  files:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B31QkNaJFZ7ydk0zSFpheTZfck0/edit

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B31QkNaJFZ7yTkVjemx6TGc5bkk/edit
   

**Be sure you set your printer 'page scaling' to NONE**  Line up and tape together.

Select your background fabric - keep it light enough so you can see thru it.  Cut at least a 12.5" block.  You can use a larger square if you wish - the Eagle was designed for the 12.5".

I'm lucky to have a home made lightbox - you can use a window or what ever means you have.  Lightly use a pencil or washable marker to outline your shapes onto your background.  This will give you visual placement of your fuseable pieces.

What ever product you use - be sure it is a lite weight if you are sewing it or you will have trouble with your machine.  Follow the manufactures directions on the package.  You can easily get all your template pieces on a 10" square.  So I fused a 10" square onto the back of my chosen fabric.

Carefully cut out your paper template pieces.  I recommend only cutting a few because so many of these look much alike and you will get confused.

**Remember to flip your template over as you need to reverse your pattern since you are making it on the back of your fabric**  Carefully trace around your template and cut out with fine tip sharp scissors.

I recommend starting with the eye and fill around.  Then the beak, head outlines, and then the neck feathers. 

Now have fun in stitching.  I actually 'thickened' up these outlines a little as some are very skinny.  This would make a fun piece to try thread painting with.  I hope you enjoy making the Eagle block and please share with me if you do so, I would love to see them.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon