![](https://studio.mkg-hamburg.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Kissen_Detail-690x690.jpg)
Put a bird on it!
This little bunting bird singing its song on a branch of cherry blossoms derives from the book “Imported birds” by Kitao Masayoshi. The Ukiyo-e artist creates the colored woodcut in Tokyo in 1789, 200 years later we turn it into a contemporary eyecatcher: we color the background and follow the blossoms with fluo pink stitches. For the second print of a white wagtail with iris we use a yellow thread.
What you need
- Woodcut from our collection
- Print shop for textiles
- Fabric and sewing materials
- Embroidery hoop
- Needle and colored wool or embroidery thread
![](https://studio.mkg-hamburg.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/MKG_Studio_Machwasdraus_Kissendruck_Schritt0B-690x430.jpg)
For your future pillow cases you need a piece of fabric that's easy to print on, like cotton or linen, plus an embroidery hoop, fluo thread and your images in the right size – as data or print-out.
![](https://studio.mkg-hamburg.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/MKG_Studio_Machwasdraus_Kissendruck_Schritt01B-690x430.jpg)
Let your print shop do the work for you! Just keep in mind that you leave enough blank fabric for margins and seams.
![](https://studio.mkg-hamburg.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/MKG_Studio_Machwasdraus_Kissendruck_Schritt02B-690x430.jpg)
Now start highlighting parts of the image by following or filling them with embroidery stitches. Depending on the detail you choose, different embroidery techniques may be useful. We found a great overview and tutorial on Pumora .
![](https://studio.mkg-hamburg.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MKG_Studio_Machwasdraus_Kissendruck_Schritt03-690x430.jpg)
At the end finish your DIY piece and sew your fabric to a pillow case. Need help? There is a Wiki-how with helpful hints. Enjoy! (Photos: Marleen Hemmert/ MKG, CC-BY 4.0 SA)
Shortcut
If you are not a sewing superstar, just print your birds a blank pillow case.