Penbroidery Bird – A Pattern & a Project

Today, we’re going to revisit a project I did a long time ago, for a book called BiblioCraft. You can find my review of the book here.

The moratorium on using the project has long passed, so I thought I’d pass the design on to you, and tell you how I worked this particular redwork version of my Penbroidery Bird.

This project was inspired by the handwriting samples of the 19th century, which often feature elaborate swashes – and birds!

Materials Used

I stitched the redwork version of my Penbroidery Bird on a linen glass towel – I wrote about those here, when I monogrammed one – with red stripes.

For the thread, I used red cotton floche (color #321), in a #7 crewel needle.

And the stitching? Well, what could be easier? With the exception of the eyes worked in satin stitch, the whole piece is embroidered in stem stitch. The filled areas are simply rows of stem stitch, worked close.

The towel turned out great! It’s got a definite vintage look to it, and I really loved the finish! I gave it to my niece, who has put it to use a bit and it’s still going strong!

I really like the monochromatic approach to this pattern, because it reflects the original calligraphy a bit more – which was, of course, black on parchment.

Free Penbroidery Bird Printable

If you’d like to have a go at my Penbroidery Bird, here’s the handy-dandy free printable. The design is slightly off-set at an angle, so that it fits better on the page. I worked the design squared and centered above the red striping on the linen towel. You can work your version, though, however you wish!

Penbroidery Bird Embroidery Design (PDF)

The Same Design in Silk

I worked this same design in silk, as well. This is what it came out looking like:

You can read more about that version, here. There was a bit of a kerfuffle at the end, when it came time to frame it!

I really loved the redwork version of this, much more than the silk version. Still, I suppose they both have merits?!

Some day, I’d like to take one of those really elaborate penmanship swashes and stitch it in black on parchment colored linen. All the detail, all the variations in line widths – I think it would be So Much Fun!

But that idea’s been on my project bucket list since long before I first worked these bird projects.

And that just goes to show you how slow I am at getting around to that particular bucket list!

I hope you enjoy the bird and the pattern!