At Magpie and the Pirate, we create hand-stitched textile bird sculptures that blend traditional craftsmanship with folklore, storytelling and a love of the natural world. Working with carefully chosen fabrics and slow, hand-sewn techniques, each bird is created as an individual character, inviting viewers to imagine the stories it carries.

Alder is inspired by a Dorset folk tradition associated with Badbury Rings, where it is said that King Arthur’s spirit lives on in the form of a raven, watching over the ancient hillfort. Rather than illustrating the legend directly, this sculpture explores the quiet relationship between place, memory and myth, drawing on the South West’s rich landscape and storytelling heritage.

Through textile and stitch, ‘Alder, watching where stories linger’ celebrates the enduring power of local folklore and the way ancient stories continue to shape our connection to the land

Alder is a hand stitched textile raven , crafted from reclaimed sari silks, embellished lace, and velvet - materials gathered like treasures and brought to life through intricate stitch and characterful detail. The base of the raven is wool felt with a sculpted clay beak and paper wrapped wire legs . Each bird has its own personality and story

Textile Sculpture

30x15cm