Felt Basics

Cutting the felt: Pattern pieces can be cut out and pinned onto corresponding felt colors. Cutting quantities are also on each pattern piece. On smaller pieces, I find it easier to hold the pattern pieces while cutting instead of pinning.
Floss: When stitching your kit, you'll want to use 3 strands of floss. The floss in your kit is six strand floss. Cut the floss to approximately 18” for stitching. This length prevents the frustration of knots and tangles that can happen with longer lengths. Separate the floss into the desired number of strands by pulling them apart. Thread the needle and tie a knot at one end.  
Sewing: All pieces are sewn with 3 strands of floss unless noted in the instructions. I use and recommend the whip stitch to sew this felt project. See instructions below for guidance using the whip stitch, straight stitch, and French knots.

 

Step by Step

If you need any help with the steps in this pattern, here are a few extra photos of the steps to give you a closer look. 

 

Fun Facts

•The herring gull is a year-round resident along most of the Atlantic seaboard, and can often be found foraging as far west as Nebraska in the winter and as far north as Maine and Canada in the mating season.
•Herring Gulls prefer drinking freshwater, but they'll drink seawater when they must. Special glands located over the eyes allow them to excrete the salt that would otherwise dehydrate most animals, including us. The salty excretion can be seen dripping out of their nostrils and off the ends of their bills.
•The Herring fish is believed to be its favorite food, which is how it gets its name. This species is an omnivore, feeding on both a vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet. Primarily, it is a scavenger like other gulls. It feeds on a wide range of food including dead and live fish, shrimp, prawns, eggs, insects, birds, carrion, marine invertebrates, garbage, and any other leftovers.
•The oldest recorded Herring Gull was at least 29 years, 3 months old when it was seen in the wild in Michigan in 2015 and identified by its band. It was originally banded in Wisconsin in 1986.
Don't have the Herring Gull kit yet? You can buy it here!