Wingin' it.

March already, where did February go?
Another trip to England and my mother in to a Care Home, that's what.
When I went back to craft group last week I was reminded our exhibition is in just a few weeks.

So now I'm winging' it.. hoping to have my owl finished in time.  Before the next trip over to my mum is required.
I'm using my friend Sharon's pattern, but instead of cutting out the whole piece I've divided the wing shape and cut out individual pieces, two layers of fabric for each wing.

I'm  using some furnishing fabric samples from M&S. Remember when they used to be laid out on a table that had little individual compartments?  They don't do that anymore.  I wonder why?!
I was at college then and we would go and almost strip it bare.
As well as the gorgeous furnishing fabrics there were lovely little pieces of leather and velvet.
I've got quite a collection!

I've been couching on some threads and did a rough feather stitch with mohair wool.
I wanted to go over it with my embellisher but found it was too thick, and I broke yet another needle, so I machine embroidered instead.  It's been so long since I used my sewing machine that I'd actually forgotten how to thread it and wind the bobbin.
That's the back of the wing on the left of the photo below.
I think the back needs to look good too as it will be on show.

Then I machine embroidered a few real feathers on, using the zig-zag setting over the spiny bit.

 

  Just trying to get the colours to match in with the bird as I go along.

Now I'm doing a chain stitch on this tweedy fabric sample.

That's it so far, and on looking at the pattern I think after this set of six there's a larger set to do.

I always give myself work!