I'm having a bit of trouble sewing up the side of the neck. I have been making four stitches, then pulling tight. It worked good closing up the neck, but when I got around the head, the thread ripped out, and I lost some feathers and skin. There is an obvious vacant area on the back of the head now. Is there any way to reattach and patch this area up? I really don't want to trash this bird now that I'm almost done. Thanks.
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The bird's a pheasant
I assume you are sewing an incision from the outside that you made to skin out the head? If skin is missing, I would try to sew the hole keeping feathers in line the best you can. Make sure the skin is damp and use a small needle and pull your thread snug and in time you will get a feel for it. The head of a pheasant as well as some waterfowl can be inverted and then fleshed, instead of making a neck incision. Not sure if that's what you were doing but it sure makes it easier.
ks
Ted,try pinning it,and leave the pins in if you can hide them.Good luck
Do you guys think that if I cut the foam neck a bit shorter it will help? Or maybe if I sculpt the back of the skull a bit smaller? Next time I think I 'll try pulling the head thru the neck when skinning.I don't know what I was thinking. But lets just say that I try pinning the ripped feathers into place. Should this be done after the bird is mounted and the skin has been taxied into place? Thanks again.