Christmas Cardinal and Chickadee Birds Embroidery Design, Holiday Birds Pattern

A cardinal and a chickadee on a bare winter branch, which is one of those christmas images that doesnt have to try too hard. The cardinal is the standout one, bright red body with the black mask across the face and that distinctive pointed crest. The chickadee sits nearby with its black cap and bib, grey-white body, the two birds making a nice compositional pair. Eight colours bring the whole thing together.

Stitch counts run from 17,703 at the smallest to 40,370 on the largest, and the density is 972 per square inch so its a solid medium-high piece throughout. The directional stitching on the cardinal feathers is what makes this one look like a real bird rather than a flat filled shape. That kind of detail takes longer to stitch but the result is proper wildlife-style embroidery rather than a cartoon.

I get messages about this one from people who are into birding or wildlife art, not just the usual christmas crowd. One customer wrote me last december saying she was suprised at how the feather texture came out on a cream linen scarf she stitched for her mum, who feeds cardinals in her garden every winter. Thats the response I always hope for on a nature design.

Five sizes from 2.59 inches wide up to 5.54 across, with heights from 3.5 through to 7. The portrait orientation fits tote bag fronts, shirt panels and fabric panels for framing. Pair light cutaway any stretch fabric and tearaway on woven linen or cotton. Dont skip the cutaway on jersey or the open feather sections will pucker.

Pair it with a solid dark background. Charcoal, navy, forest green, or deep burgundy all let the 8 colours read cleanly. Hoop tight and slow down through the cardinal feather sections.