Four Calling Birds ITH Christmas Ornament Machine Embroidery Design - 3 Sizes
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Four Calling Birds ITH Christmas Ornament is a digital machine embroidery design for a flat, raw-edge felt tree decoration featuring a singing bird and baroque scrollwork. The download includes three original sizes for 80x80 mm (3x3") and 100x100 mm (4x4") hoops or larger, 14 machine formats, printable cutting templates and the Madeira color chart for RPE-3797-fr4.
The open-beaked songbird represents the fourth gift in The Twelve Days of Christmas. The front felt piece, hanging loop and back are joined by the final programmed outline, so the ornament does not need turning, stuffing or hand-closing.
Sizes, Stitches and Formats
Size: 61.2x78.0 mm (2.41x3.07"), Stitches: 3600
Size: 69.0x88.0 mm (2.72x3.46"), Stitches: 4100
Size: 77.0x98.0 mm (3.03x3.86"), Stitches: 4500Formats: .dat, .dst, .exp, .hus, .jef, .jef+, .jpx, .pec, .pes, .sew, .vip, .vp3, .vp4, .xxx
The measurements describe the machine embroidery field. A ribbon loop and an optional bow are not included in the design height. Estimated upper-thread use is 11.75 / 14.05 / 16.54 m (12.8 / 15.4 / 18.1 yd).
Hoop Compatibility by Design Size
| Design size | Suitable hoop |
|---|---|
| 61.2x78.0 mm (2.41x3.07") | 80x80 mm (3x3") hoop or larger |
| 69.0x88.0 mm (2.72x3.46") | 100x100 mm (4x4") hoop or larger |
| 77.0x98.0 mm (3.03x3.86") | 100x100 mm (4x4") hoop or larger |
What the Download Includes
- the baroque singing bird ornament in three original sizes;
- printable outlines for cutting the front and back felt pieces;
- programmed placement, front tackdown and final assembly stitches;
- the RPE-3797-fr4 chart with 11 programmed blocks;
- the 14 machine formats listed above.
This is a digital product. A finished ornament, felt, ribbon, stabilizer and thread are not shipped.
Choosing Felt for a Clean Baroque Edge
The cut edge remains visible in the finished ornament, so sheet density matters more than maximum thickness. The felt should lie flat, hold the inward curves and keep the pointed lower tip from stretching. For more material guidance, see choosing felt and similar fabrics for machine embroidery.
| Felt type | Thickness | Result | Check before stitching |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dense polyester felt | 1–1.5 mm | Produces crisp curves and reliably supports the pointed bottom. It is the most predictable choice for a first sample. | Hold the sheet to the light; its density should look even without thin patches. |
| Wool-viscose blend | 1–1.2 mm | Its soft, refined surface makes red, blue and gold rayon look richer. | Steam a scrap first because some blends shrink or ripple. |
| 100% wool felt | About 1 mm | Creates a natural premium finish and a compact raw edge. | Choose a resilient sheet; very soft wool can pull out of shape at the lower point. |
| Budget acrylic felt | 1–1.5 mm | Works for a test stitch when the sheet is compact and stable. | Reject loose felt that stretches easily or sheds fibers when rubbed. |
Quick raw-edge test: cut a small inward scallop in a scrap and rub the cut edge between your thumb and forefinger ten times. If the fibers open, a visible fuzz develops or the curve becomes wider, the felt will not keep this ornament's detailed outline clean.
Ivory, light beige, pearl gray and deep navy make useful front colors. Bright red can merge with the bird's head and back, while royal blue can reduce contrast around the wing. The back may be contrasting, but use bobbin thread close to Madeira 1149 for the final joining block.
Thread Choices for Glossy or Vintage Results
| Thread | Effect on this ornament | Practical setting |
|---|---|---|
| Madeira Classic 40 rayon | Gives the blue wing and antique-gold curls a deep, shifting baroque sheen. | Matches the supplied chart; use a fresh 75/11 embroidery needle. |
| Gunold SULKY Rayon 40 | Creates a similarly bright decorative gloss. | Match shades with physical thread charts; Madeira numbers do not transfer directly to another brand. |
| Isacord 40 polyester | Produces crisp color and a durable outline for ornaments handled frequently. | A practical choice for wreath ornaments or reusable gift tags. |
| Madeira Frosted Matt 40 | Changes the artwork to a contemporary matte finish without changing the intended thread weight. | Match colors visually and test the tension before starting the ornament. |
| Gunold COTTY 30 cotton | Adds the warm, matte character of a vintage textile illustration. | It is thicker than 40-weight thread. Test the largest size with an 80/12 needle and do not substitute it in every block automatically. |
Reliable mixed-thread version: stitch the red and blue plumage in glossy rayon and the black outline in 40-weight polyester. The polyester keeps the line around the open beak, pale breast and long tail visually sharp, while rayon preserves movement and shine in the colored fills.
For a vintage look, test cotton only in the larger red and blue fills of the largest size. Keep the beak, narrow gold accents and black outline in 40-weight thread because COTTY 30 can become bulky in small details. Compare fiber shine and durability in choosing threads for machine embroidery.
Madeira Classic 40 Color Map
The RPE-3797-fr4 chart contains 9 colors in 11 programmed blocks, with 10 color changes. Madeira 1159 and 1149 return for different details and construction steps. Do not use automatic color sorting: changing the order can break the ITH assembly sequence.
| Block | Swatch | Madeira Classic 40 | Stitched element |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1249 — green | Shaped placement line for the front felt piece | |
| 2 | 1149 — pale beige | Front-piece tackdown | |
| 3 | 1170 — olive green | Foliage and green curl below the bird | |
| 4 | 1159 — antique gold | Baroque gold scrolls | |
| 5 | 1145 — brown | Feet and dark perch contact | |
| 6 | 1071 — off-white | Light breast | |
| 7 | 1037 — rich red | Head, back and red tail feathers | |
| 8 | 1335 — blue | Wing and blue plumage | |
| 9 | 1159 — antique gold, repeated | Beak and gold feather accents | |
| 10 | 1006 — black | Bird outlines and feather details | |
| 11 | 1149 — pale beige, repeated | Final outline joining the front, back and hanging loop |
The color names describe visual appearance; use the Madeira number when buying the original thread. For block 11, place a bobbin color close to 1149 because the joining line remains visible on the back.
ITH Stitching and Assembly Order
- Print the template for the chosen size at 100% or Actual Size. Do not use Fit to Page.
- Cut two matching felt pieces for the front and back.
- Hoop one layer of Madeira Cotton Soft 50 tear-away, 50 g/m², and stitch block 1. If you use another stabilizer, compare its structure with the guidance on tear-away stabilizers.
- Place the front piece over the line and secure it with block 2.
- Stitch decorative blocks 3–10 in their saved order.
- Before block 11, tape a folded 15–20 cm (6–8") ribbon loop and the back piece to the underside of the hoop.
- Stitch the final outline, remove the project from the hoop, tear away the stabilizer and trim the raw edge.
Open the Raw-Edge ITH Ornament Instructions
Three Details to Watch
- Open beak: use a steady medium speed for gold block 9. Consistent motion forms these small stitches more cleanly than an uneven ultra-slow run.
- Long tail: keep the felt flat. If the lower point lifts, secure it with a small piece of low-tack tape outside the needle path.
- Black outline: before block 10, trim only completed jump threads. A loose thread under this outline can cross the off-white breast or blue wing.
Continue the 12 Days of Christmas Series
Seven Swans a-Swimming ITH Ornament
Eight Maids a-Milking ITH Ornament
Twelve Drummers Drumming ITH Ornament
Eleven Pipers Piping ITH OrnamentExplore related designs: 12 Days of Christmas collection · ITH machine embroidery designs · Baroque machine embroidery designs
Digital Product and License
You may sell finished physical ornaments stitched with this design in small quantities. The digital files, color charts and templates may not be resold, copied, shared, exchanged, gifted or distributed. The standard license does not cover mass factory production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which size fits an 80x80 mm hoop?
Only the 61.2x78.0 mm (2.41x3.07") file fits an 80x80 mm (3x3") hoop or larger. The 69.0x88.0 and 77.0x98.0 mm files require a 100x100 mm (4x4") hoop or larger.
Why does the design show one bird if the theme is Four Calling Birds?
The ornament represents the fourth gift in The Twelve Days of Christmas. One open-beaked songbird serves as the individual symbol for the Four Calling Birds line.
What felt gives the cleanest raw edge?
Dense 1–1.5 mm polyester felt is the most predictable choice. Firm 1–1.2 mm wool-viscose or approximately 1 mm wool felt also works when a rubbed test curve keeps its shape without fuzzing or stretching.
Can every rayon block be replaced with cotton thread?
Not without a test. Gunold COTTY 30 is thicker than the 40-weight thread used to digitize this design. Test cotton in the large red and blue fills of the largest size, but keep the beak, narrow gold details and black outline in 40-weight thread.
When are the back piece and hanging loop added?
Add them after black block 10 and before block 11. The final Madeira 1149 outline joins the front, back and both ends of the ribbon loop in one programmed step.
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