Upcycled Life: Sewn paper birds
Paper birds sew up fast to hold a little treat or note to someone close by. Deliver a flock to someone in your house or a neighbor while out for a walk.
Directions
Trace and cut out a simple bird shape on a brown paper bag and a teardrop wing on a colorful paper scrap.
Sew the main bird together by hand or with a sewing machine. Leave a gap on the center of the back for inserting a treat. If you’re hand-sewing, pre-punch holes with a push pin.
Fill the inside with seeds, a sweet treat or a little note.
Cut a thin strip of paper to make a hanging loop. Staple the ends of the strip down over the gap sealing the bird and attaching the loop at the same time.
Attach the wing piece on with a dot of glue at the shoulder, also covering the staple.
Don’t forget to tell your recipient to look inside!
Katie Patterson Larson is the director and founder of Art Salvage, a creative reuse center in Spokane. Art Salvage keeps usable materials out of the waste stream and makes them accessible and affordable to everyone. For more information, visit artsalvagespokane.com.