Recently, I have taught The Hummingbird numerous times as a workshop in local shops, and for local guilds.  It is a good teaching block, it covers almost everything you need to know about Prepared Edge Applique.  In the class, most students get the leaves, stems and flowers prepped and glued onto the background.  At the end of the class I describe how the hummingbird is put together, but I think a visual guide will help those who have taken the class.  I think it is also a good tutorial for anyone looking for a few hints about how to put a rather complex design together.  Hint:  It only looks complex 🙂  The Hummingbird pattern is available on my website.  The pattern includes the freezer paper templates already traced, just to make your life easier:)

So here is the block with the leaves, stems and flowers in place.

The first piece to be glued in place is the “back” wing.

Now, the row of small wings can be placed on the background, starting at the bottom and working towards the top.

Next, we can add the remaining feathers, the gray head and white detail.

We are going to add the gray body next, but only apply glue to the seam allowance as shown.

Glue in place, but leave the bottom section open (that is why we aren’t putting glue on that section).

Add the large wing, paying attention to where the seam allowances are lining up shown in the circle (very important!).

The pink underbelly can now be glued in place.  It is starting to look like something, isn’t it?

So now this is the tricky part.  Lift the gray body up and pin it to stay in place.  I just put my stiletto on top of it.  That works too:)  Now we can start to put the tail feathers in place, starting with the tail feather on the right and working to the left.

As you can see, the last tail feather goes on top of the pink underbelly, and the large turquoise feather.  Then the gray body (the part with no glue on it) goes on top of the tail feathers.

Add  a few dabs of glue and put the gray body in place.

Next we can add the beak and the eye.  The point at the end of the beak is tucked underneath the purple flower.  Easy Peasy!

Til next time….

Kerry