Bird prints have a way of making a project feel cheerful, whether it's a cushion for a gloomy November sofa or a handmade gift for someone who loves the garden. We've just added a classic Strawberry Thief design to the shop, and it sits alongside a few colourful bird prints that are currently reduced. Here's a quick look at each one, with ideas for what to make.
New In: Strawberry Thief Morris Birds Cotton
The Strawberry Thief Morris Birds 100% Cotton Craft Fabric is inspired by William Morris's much-loved design of thrushes among strawberries, flowers and trailing leaves. It's digitally printed on 100% cotton with a soft handle, so it works just as well for home projects as it does for patchwork.
- Price: £13.99 per metre
- In stock now: Duck Egg, Ochre and Ebony
- Width: 140cm (55")
- Weight: 150gsm, a comfortable medium weight
- Care: machine wash at 40°C
The wide 140cm width is handy for bigger pieces such as duvet covers, bedding and quilt backs, and one metre goes a long way for cushions and bags. Duck Egg gives a soft, airy look, Ochre feels warm and autumnal, and Ebony makes the birds and berries really stand out against a dark background.
Reduced: Multicoloured Birds Furnishing Fabric
If you'd like something bright and modern, the Multicoloured Birds Print Cotton Furnishing Fabric in White is now £8.99 per metre, down from £15.00. It's a medium-weight craft fabric (80% cotton, 20% polyester) at 180gsm, with a playful colourful bird print on a crisp white background.
- Width: 140cm
- Good for: crafts, curtains, duvets and quilting
- Care: machine wash at 30°C
The slightly heavier weight makes it a good choice for curtains in a child's room or a kitchen, as well as cushions, storage baskets and tote bags.
Reduced: Tropical Toucan and Parrot Cotton Poplin
For a burst of colour on a grey day, our tropical poplins are both reduced to £6.99 per metre, down from £9.99. Both are 100% cotton poplin, around 130gsm and 112cm (44") wide, with a smooth, crisp finish that's easy to cut, sew and press.
- Tropical Toucan & Hibiscus Print Cotton Poplin: toucans, palm leaves, hibiscus and birds of paradise. In stock in Yellow, Turquoise and White.
- Rose & Hubble Tropical Parrot & Palm Leaf Cotton Poplin: scarlet parrots, hummingbirds, monstera leaves and frangipani flowers. In stock in White and Black.
Being lighter than the furnishing fabrics, these poplins are ideal for dressmaking: shirts, blouses, skirts and children's clothing. They're also lovely for quilting, patchwork, cushion fronts and little accessories.
What to Make with Bird Print Fabric
With Christmas on the way, bird prints make thoughtful handmade gifts. A few ideas to get you started:
- Cushion covers: an envelope-back cushion is a quick, zip-free project, and the Strawberry Thief print looks especially good on a sofa or armchair.
- Tote and project bags: pair a bird print outer with a plain lining for a practical gift for knitters, crafters or shoppers.
- Patchwork and quilts: mix the Morris print with plain cottons in matching tones, such as ochre or duck egg, for a heritage-style quilt.
- Aprons and tea towels: the bright furnishing print makes a cheerful kitchen set.
- Clothing: use the toucan or parrot poplin for a holiday-ready shirt or a child's dress for next summer.
Tips for Sewing Printed Cotton
- Pre-wash first: wash your fabric at the care temperature before cutting, so any settling happens before you sew.
- Check the print direction: birds and flowers usually have a top and bottom, so lay out pattern pieces the same way up.
- Centre the motif: on cushions and bags, place the best part of the design in the middle of the panel before you cut.
- Allow extra for matching: if you're joining panels for curtains or a duvet, buy a little extra so you can line up the pattern.
Find Your Favourite Bird Print
Whether you love the timeless look of Strawberry Thief or the bold colours of a tropical print, there's a bird fabric here to brighten up your next project. Stock is limited on some colours, so pick up your favourites while they're available, and remember all our fabrics are cut from the roll and sent in one continuous length. Shop the Strawberry Thief fabric now and get sewing.
