Just in time for Spring! Hummingbird video tutorial and free PDF pattern

I created a step by step video of my process for making a needle felted hummingbird. In it, I show you how to create a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird ornament.

If you’d like to felt along, download my free PDF pattern. You’ll see me use it in the video below!

If you’d prefer to purchase a completed needle felted hummingbird, check out my Etsy shop. The two that I made while creating this tutorial are available for adoption.

Step by step instructions

Download and print the free hummingbird PDF pattern on an 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of paper.
Armature wire types and lengths: One 5-6″ long 22g cloth wrapped wire (I used brown) and two 4″ long 32g cloth wrapped wires. Glue both ends of 22g wire and at least one end of each 32g wing wire to prevent the cloth/thread from unwrapping.
If your beak wire is white, use an alcohol based marker (e.g., a Sharpie) to tint about 2″ of the wire a darker color. If you’re making a black beak, use a black marker. This will prevent the white cloth or thread from showing through your black beak wool.
Wrap the beak tightly with a very thin strip of black merino top. Use a soft paint brush to coat the beak with a 50/50 mix of glue and water. Let it dry.
Felt the bird body and head with core wool
Use short ball headed pins to determine eye placement. Make a hole using an awl. Glue the eyes to the head using E6000.
Draw pattern for top coat colors on the core wool bird using an air erase marker.
Add a thin layer of top coat to color in each section. Once you are happy with the shapes and placement of the colors, add a second layer of top coat.
Felt a tiny tail and attach it to the base of the bird’s body.
Print or trace the wing pattern on a piece of cardstock. Cut out the wing pattern.
Bend the wing wire about 1” from the glued end.
Felt a thin sheet of wool around the wire for each wing. Use the cardstock cut out as a guide to refine the shape and edges.
Add wing detail color.
Use short ball headed pins to determine wing placement. Make a hole using an awl. Glue the wings to the body using E6000.
Create tiny feet using brown wool. Pin the feet on the body to determine placement. Felt the feet to the body.
Cut a length of gold thread at least 12-14” long to make a hanger. Use a doll needle to determine the placement and angle of the hanger. Set the thread through the bird’s body. Knot the end of the thread. Poke a small divot in the body under the knot. Pull the knot tight to the body. Cover the knot by felting a little wool over it.
Add any final details. Lightly felt the whole body with a fine needle to smooth the surface and you’re done!

Supplies I used for this project

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