I have had the idea to create a fantail etui ever since my first visit to New Zealand in 2014. Whilst exploring the country, we were delighted to discover these magical little birds flitting around us on walks, always eluding the camera with their fast-paced flitting about their tasks. 

I like my embroidered birds to have purpose as well as being decorative and always loved the idea of turning the wonderful fan-shaped tail into a needlecase. It seems to suit this busy little bird to be carrying a full set of needles, ready for action. His bronze beak (cast from my wax carving by jewellers in Hatton Garden, London) also contains a thread cutter, ready for snipping threads. Each beak is carefully fitted into the body by hand, so that each is individual. The wings open to reveal a wool lining where further pins and needles can be tucked.

The bronze legs are also cast from my wax carvings. The solid body form is 3D printed from a drawing created by myself and my engineer cousin.  

The design of the embroidered panels is based on some of the key symbols of New Zealand, such as the silver-fern, New Zealand’s national plant, included in the tail design. The wings include the curled bronze ‘Koru’, the stylised Māori symbol of the silver-fern, symbolic of new beginnings, growth and peace. The piwakawaka’s face includes black and silver coiled Koru, influenced by Māori facial tattoos.

Each panel of the bird is worked separately on panels of wool baise, using a huge variety of different materials and stitches. On completion of one of these birds, you will have learnt to handle a wide range of materials, perhaps in new ways, which you can carry into your own future designs. 

You will not be able to complete a bird in class, but you will learn all the techniques required to allow you to complete him confidently at home, and will be provided with full instruction book and access to videos of the entire process. 

If you do not wish to work a fantail, you may also study one of my other 3d birds in class such as: The Parham Owl, The Peacock, The Brown Wren or the Blue Wren. 

Class kit

You will need to purchase a kit for this class. Each kit includes all the materials required to work the project, with comprehensive illustrated instructions and needles. Jenny will offer these at 10% off her website prices:

• Fantail £225.00
• Owl £225.00
• Peacock £212.00
• Wren £198.00