Langdon Lane Pheasant by Nicola Jarvis

A few weeks ago we wrote about the much-loved hen named Harnie from Inspirations issue #129 and touched on the wonderfully diverse personalities that chickens can exhibit.

This week, we’re turning our attention to a far more regal bird - and a fittingly more formal embroidery approach to suit. That said, make no mistake: personality still shines through… but more on that shortly.

Langdon Lane Pheasant by Nicola Jarvis is the next magnificent project we’re delighted to share from Life in Seasons Volume 2.

The design is inspired by a moment soon after Nicola and her husband, David, moved to their Warwickshire village, when they spotted five pheasants flying overhead as they walked along Langdon Lane with Quince their retriever.

Nicola recalls watching the birds lift into a foggy autumn sky - a striking sight as feathers blazed copper, emerald green and pillar-box red, flashes of white catching at the collar, with long barbed tail feathers trailing behind as they streaked across the lane and flapped frantically over a hedge.

There’s something undeniably commanding about a pheasant, whether encountered on the ground or on the wing. From their upright stance and long tail feathers to the bold patterning and rich colour of their plumage, these birds carry an air of ceremony and presence.

It’s little wonder that in Chinese culture, pheasants are symbols of beauty, virtue and good fortune.

Nicola translates that sense of presence into stitch with a beautifully balanced composition, with our hero pheasant looking at us with a very cheeky and mischievous tilt of the head. The friend behind is not taking any chances and has fled the scene already allowing us to see their wonderful silhouette during flight.

Much of the pleasure in stitching Langdon Lane Pheasant comes from building up the feathers. Changes in stitch direction are used thoughtfully to follow the natural fall of the plumage, while careful colour placement brings out the rich patterning that makes this bird so instantly recognisable.

We love how Nicola has used metallic threads to achieve a glistening effect at key points in the design, in particular in the tail feathers.

As with the other projects in Life in Seasons, the design begins with one of Nicola’s hand-drawn and painted backgrounds, providing a strong foundation for the embroidery that follows.

The stitched elements are then layered in to enhance form and definition, creating a harmonious balance between print and stitch.

Measuring 11cm x 17cm wide (4 ⅜" x 6 ¾") Langdon Lane Pheasant is a wonderfully achievable piece. Its scale makes it approachable without compromising on impact, offering plenty to enjoy for stitchers who appreciate thoughtful detail and strong design.

Ready-to-Stitch Kit

Kits for Langdon Lane Pheasant are now available to purchase using the link below and include everything you need to re-create this project, excluding the handbag, giving you the freedom to finish and display the piece in a way that suits you.

Background

As this project has been stitched on pre-printed fabric, the kit includes the fabric pre-printed with Nicola’s original design so you can re-create it exactly as it appears in the book. Alternatively, you can use the pattern sheet included in the Life in Seasons 2 book to transfer the design and create your own background elements.

Instructions

Please note that instructions are not included in this kit. Complete, step-by-step instructions for stitching Langdon Lane Pheasant are provided in the book Life in Seasons 2, sold separately.