Varnish & Thread: Audubon Songbird Mini Cross Stitch Pattern Set of 4 (PDF, Ornament Size)
Audubon Songbird Minis is a set of 4 counted cross-stitch patterns from the Varnish & Thread collection, for bird lovers who want four quick, matching songbird minis for ornaments, a hoop wall or handmade cards. Four small counted cross-stitch charts of songbirds from John James Audubon's The Birds of America: Hooded Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo and Gray Catbird. Each is a detail of one bird, sized for an ornament, small hoop or card. Charted from The Met's public-domain images of the plates.
This is a digital download of PDF patterns. Nothing is shipped: no fabric, floss, hoop or printed paper.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
• 4 charts across 4 designs, each as two PDFs: a black-symbol chart designed for Pattern Keeper, and a printable colour + symbol chart
• In every PDF: a cover page with the finished size, a how-to page, a floss key (symbol, DMC number, colour name, stitch count, skein estimate) and chart pages with a bold line every 10 stitches
• Varnish-and-Thread_audubon-songbird-minis_Start-Here.pdf: a short Start Here guide (opening the files, printing, Pattern Keeper import, art credit)
• Full cross stitch only: no backstitch, no fractional stitches
SIZES, STITCH COUNTS AND FLOSS (DMC numbers)
Hooded Warbler:
• Mini: 50 × 36 stitches (1,800 stitches), 12 colours, 1 chart page (4 pages per PDF).
Finished size: 11-count 4.5 × 3.3 in; 14-count 3.6 × 2.6 in; 16-count 3.1 × 2.2 in; 18-count 2.8 × 2.0 in (Aida, 1 stitch per square; 28-count evenweave over two = 14-count).
DMC floss: 739, 725, 372, 869, 832, 936, 680, 3031, 642, 830, 167, 3371
Bay-breasted Warbler:
• Mini: 50 × 42 stitches (2,100 stitches), 12 colours, 1 chart page (4 pages per PDF).
Finished size: 11-count 4.5 × 3.8 in; 14-count 3.6 × 3.0 in; 16-count 3.1 × 2.6 in; 18-count 2.8 × 2.3 in (Aida, 1 stitch per square; 28-count evenweave over two = 14-count).
DMC floss: 745, 904, 936, 372, 610, 3031, 976, 350, 919, 3712, 3825, 612
Blue-headed Vireo:
• Mini: 50 × 40 stitches (2,000 stitches), 12 colours, 1 chart page (4 pages per PDF).
Finished size: 11-count 4.5 × 3.6 in; 14-count 3.6 × 2.9 in; 16-count 3.1 × 2.5 in; 18-count 2.8 × 2.2 in (Aida, 1 stitch per square; 28-count evenweave over two = 14-count).
DMC floss: 3822, 3031, 3012, 869, 833, 3021, 801, 831, 830, 898, 741, 520
Gray Catbird:
• Mini: 50 × 56 stitches (2,800 stitches), 12 colours, 1 chart page (4 pages per PDF).
Finished size: 11-count 4.5 × 5.1 in; 14-count 3.6 × 4.0 in; 16-count 3.1 × 3.5 in; 18-count 2.8 × 3.1 in (Aida, 1 stitch per square; 28-count evenweave over two = 14-count).
DMC floss: 727, 3031, 839, 834, 937, 730, 938, 733, 729, 3863, 919, 780
PATTERN KEEPER
The symbol PDF is designed for Pattern Keeper: real font symbols, a key with Number and Name columns, Letter-size pages of up to 60 × 70 stitches and no overlapping rows, following Pattern Keeper's published import guidance. It has not yet been tested in the app itself, so I don't call it compatible. It also prints normally.
THE ARTWORKS (ALL PUBLIC DOMAIN)
Hooded Warbler:
Title: Hooded Warbler. Sylvia mitrata [current name: Hooded Warbler. Wilsonia citrina], from "The Birds of America," plate CX
Artist: John James Audubon
Date: 1831
Museum: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Source: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/918309
Bay-breasted Warbler:
Title: Bay-breasted Warbler. Setophaga castanea [current name: Bay-breasted Warbler. Dendroica castanea], from "The Birds of America," plate 69 [later LXIX]
Artist: John James Audubon
Date: 1829
Museum: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Source: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/918293
Blue-headed Vireo:
Title: Solitary Flycatcher. Vireo solitarius [current name: Blue-headed Vireo. Vireo solitarius], from "The Birds of America," plate 28 [later XXVIII]
Artist: John James Audubon
Date: 1827–38
Museum: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Source: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/918305
Gray Catbird:
Title: Cat Bird. Turdus felivox [current name: Gray Catbird. Dumetella carolinensis], from "The Birds of America," plate CXXVIII
Artist: John James Audubon
Date: 1827–38
Museum: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Source: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/918294
These artworks are in the public domain, and each museum released its image under CC0 (Open Access).
Credit: chart designs by Varnish & Thread after the public-domain works listed above (credit lines are in each PDF).
Chart design by Varnish & Thread. Not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the museum or DMC.
HOW THIS PATTERN WAS MADE
The charts are generated by software from the public-domain museum image: the program crops and resizes the artwork, groups its colours, matches each one to the nearest DMC floss number and lays out the symbols and pages, and the results are checked. No AI image generator was used. The cover and preview images are digital previews rendered from the chart, not photos of stitched pieces, so real stitching will look slightly different. This description was drafted with an AI writing assistant and checked against the chart files.
HOW TO DOWNLOAD
1. Right after checkout your download page opens, and the download link is also emailed to you.
2. Download all the files to a computer or tablet. Each .zip unzips into one folder per chart, with its two PDFs.
3. Unzip: double-click on a Mac, right-click > Extract All on Windows, or tap the zip in the Files app on iPad/iPhone.
4. Print the colour PDF at 100% (actual size), or import the symbol PDF into Pattern Keeper. Start with the Start Here guide.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Is this pattern good for a beginner?
A: Yes. Every chart here is a mini, about 50 stitches wide with no more than 12 colours and full stitches only, a manageable first project.
Q: What fabric and floss do I need?
A: Any Aida or evenweave works. The finished sizes above are given for 11, 14, 16 and 18 count. Colours are DMC stranded cotton numbers, and the key in each PDF estimates how many skeins you need. No materials are included.
Q: Does it work with Pattern Keeper?
A: The symbol PDF is designed for Pattern Keeper's published import guidance (font symbols, Number and Name key columns, pages of up to 60 × 70 stitches). It hasn't been tested in the app yet. If an import doesn't work, email me and I'll help or adjust the file.
Q: Are the pictures photos of the finished stitching?
A: No. The cover and preview images are digital previews made by computer from the chart, not photos of a stitched piece. Real stitching will look slightly different.
Q: How do I download it?
A: Your download page opens right after checkout and the link is emailed to you. Download the files, unzip them, then print the colour PDF or open the symbol PDF in your chart app.
Q: Can I get a refund?
A: Refunds are available within 14 days for a file problem I can't fix, or for a duplicate order. Email todorgan@gmail.com with your order details.
GOOD TO KNOW
• Digital PDF download. Nothing will be shipped.
• For personal use. Please don't share or resell the PDF files. You're welcome to sell or gift items you stitch from them.
• Thread colours use DMC floss numbers. Varnish & Thread is not affiliated with DMC.
• Questions or a problem with a file? Email todorgan@gmail.com.