How to Make Homemade Fabric Birdhouses to Decorate Your Home
Don’t you just love walking into homes that have interesting things on the wall? It’s often what really makes a house unique and homely. The stuff on the wall or the mantle gives the home personality. It doesn’t just have to be pictures on the wall, you can hang things like these gorgeous fabric birdhouses.
A fabric birdhouses looks fantastic as a wall decoration and costs very little to make. I made several fabric birdhouses at once and displayed together in a clustered, they look great.
To make on of the fabric birdhouses even more special I used the fabric of an old favourite patterned shirt. For another fabric birdhouse, as I love to upcycle jeans, I made one of my birdhouses in denim with bit of Scandinavian fabric.
*To embrace the tropical trend, I have since updated the birdhouse with a new tropical fabric birdhouse. Which as well as using tropical fabrics it has a completely different roof to this one.
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What You Need to Make Fabric Birdhouses
- Stiff cardboard (I use old Amazon packaging)
- Fabrics – preferably more than one pattern
- Wadding /batting, you are best using a thin one.
- Glue gun or Fabric Mod Podge glue
- Crewel Wool or embroidery thread
- Embroidery needle
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Twig for perch
How to make the Fabric Birdhouses
First cutting out all the bits for the birdhouses..
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- Cut out the cardboard into 7 pieces according to the template. (Fabric Birdhouse template pdf download). You can make the birdhouse the same size as the template or change to a size your prefer.
As you can see we have made the Fabric Birdhouses in various sizes.
- Cut out the cardboard into 7 pieces according to the template. (Fabric Birdhouse template pdf download). You can make the birdhouse the same size as the template or change to a size your prefer.
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- Then using the template cut wadding, for the front, back, and sides of the birdhouse only. With glue, stick this wadding to the appropriate bits of card.
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- Employing a shot glass or large coin, draw a circle on the front of the birdhouse. Cut out this circle to make the entrance. Directly below this circular entrance pierce the wadding and cardboard to make way for a twig perch.
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- Next cut out a fabric piece for each of your 7 pieces of cardboard. Use the template as your guide but allow at least a 1cm boarder for each piece of fabric.
You will need 2 bits of fabric for the roof as the underside will be visible. I tend to use 3 different fabric patterns for my birdhouses, one for the front and back, one for the sides and one for the roof.
It is not so important what you use for the top or bottom as this is not really on show.
- Next cut out a fabric piece for each of your 7 pieces of cardboard. Use the template as your guide but allow at least a 1cm boarder for each piece of fabric.
Next the glueing bit …
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- There should be 8 cut pieces of fabric. Glue these to the appropriate pieces of card, by wrapping around the card and gluing the overlap on the back of the card.
Either tuck your corners in or cut them. Glue the top fabric of the roof before gluing the underside piece and tuck the underside under and glue around the edge rather than wrapping around the card. Pin your fabric to keep it in place as it dries.
- There should be 8 cut pieces of fabric. Glue these to the appropriate pieces of card, by wrapping around the card and gluing the overlap on the back of the card.
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- At the front of the birdhouse, cut the fabric so that it can be tucked into the circular entrance. Blanket stitch around this hole. Pierce the fabric where you made a hole for the perch and stick your twig in it.
Putting the fabric birdhouses together..
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- First hand stitch the front and back to the sides with the crewel wool. A basic stitch that will join the pieces together is all that’s needed. You can either loosely stitch in the top and bottom of the birdhouses or glue them in.
- Then bend the roof piece to create a pitched roof. Attach the roof to the top of the Birdhouse with glue, secure with pins whilst the glue dries.
Finishing off the birdhouses..
All you need to finish off the birdhouse is a little fabric bird to clip to it. Other decorations such as a pom-pom trim can be added.
These fabric birdhouses make a really gorgeous homemade gift. I have had several requests to make them for family and friends. They are really easy to personalize, by making them in fabrics that you know will reflect the decor and taste of the person you’re making them for.
Another fun fabric nature project is this faux moth taxidermy.
If you love making handmade gifts here are a few more ideas.
How to make simple but beautiful map roses
Gorgeous Spring fabricbirdcage
Gorgeous Scallop Shell Trinket Dishes
Looking for more crafts like this check out allfreeholidaycrafts.com
Sam @ Raggedy Bits
These are just the sweetest little birdhouses I ever did see! They would make lovely gifts!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, and yes they make a great gift especially if you make them with a favourite old blouse.
Carolann
Oh my gosh, I just love them! What a fun project! Love the fabric choices too! I will so have to try this someday!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you! They are fun to make I think I’ve made about 8 of them so far in different sizes they look great as a wall display.
Super Mom - No Cape!
These are absolutely adorable!!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you very much, they are addictive too I have several in my home.
Lacie Ring
These birdhouses are precious! I just love the fabrics! Thank you for linking up at Funtastic Friday!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you glad you liked them.
Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage
Love your birdhouses Claire! They are so adorable. That pom pom trim is perfect. Thanks so much for sharing them at Vintage Charm.
Claire Armstrong
Yes I love the Pom Pom trim too ! Thank you !
Emily
These are so cute! Perfect for spring & summer decorating 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! They do look lovely especially when you have a few displayed together in different fabrics.
handmade by amalia
These are lovely! Thanks for sharing the tutorial, I’d love to give it a try.
Amalia
xo
Claire Armstrong
Thanks. You should definately give it ago.
Courtney
Oh my goodness, how cute are these?! I love them!
Claire Armstrong
Cheers and thank you !
AnnMarie
Absolutely adorable! Pinning your post for future crafting. I used to have a birdhouse collection and may now start of new one of these!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! That sounds like an idea, they do make a great gift as well.
Sandra
Absolutely adorable and I have lots of fabric remnants that I could use. You are very creative and thanks for sharing this at Celebrate Your Story!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! It is. A great project for using up fabric scraps.
Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden
Dear Claire:
These darling creations are very fun! You have a nice design flaire and love the primary colors! Very cute!
Claire Armstrong
Cheers and thank you !
Stacey
These are absolutely adorable! The shape of the birdhouses and the fabric you chose give the perfect whimsical flair! Pinning.
Thanks so much for taking part in Thoughts of Home on Thursday. 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Cheers and thank you ! I’m actually making some more at the moment but this time I’m going for a more tropical theme.
Carol
The birdhouses are so adorable and you make it look so easy. Thanks for sharing the idea.
Claire Armstrong
Thanks, they are easy.
Charlene Asay
These are super cute bird houses.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you!
Carole @ From My Carolina Home
What fun and cute idea!
Claire Armstrong
cheers!
Linda
Your bird houses are so sweet. How clever you are. Such a joy to see these pretty creations and we are so happy you shared them at DI&DI.
Claire Armstrong
Cheers and thank you !
samantha
Oh my! These are so cute and colorful. Thanks for sharing at the family joy link party.
Claire Armstrong
Cheers and thank you
Alicia Owen
What a cute idea for a decoration! Thanks for sharing. I love finding new craft ideas. 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Cheers and thank you !
Janet Vinyard
Hi Claire, I’ve never seen fabric birdhouses before! Very clever and creative! Well done! Blessings, Janet
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! They do make a lovely decoration.
Mary Vitullo
These are just so darn cute! Great tutorial.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you very much !
Kay
Very unique idea.
Claire Armstrong
Cheers and thank you !
lorraine williamson
love these birdhouses so cute pinning and sharing thanks again
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! Glad you liked them.
Ingrid
Love these little birdhouses. What are the true measurements–can’t print to size and would like to make some for my birdhouse fanatic friends. Thanks and keep up the cute works.
PS: please respond by using my email address- as I don’t always check other sites. Thank you again.
Claire Armstrong
Thanks I have sent you an email with the measurements on the template.
Pam @Threading My Way
Super cute!
Claire Armstrong
Cheers thank you !
Linda
These are absolutely adorable! I hope you wont mind me scheduling your link to share on our social media 😀
Claire Armstrong
Thanks feel free to share the link
Faye
These are wonderful! Will definitely be making some. Thanks for the tutorial.xxxxx
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, and I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do.
Anne
These are adorable!! I’ve got a post on Craft Gossip that links to your tutorial:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/?p=83884 –Anne
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! I have seen it will be checking out the other stuff on craft gossip.
swapna
These are so cute! I hope you don’t use them for actual birds!
Claire Armstrong
Thanks. No just for decoration and I use those lovely clip on birds you can get some of which look really good. The real birds getting the boring wooden one outside.
Kathleen Berlew
These are adorable! I love all the cheery fabrics you used.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you I have a big fabric stash to choose from fortunately.
T'onna @ USS Crafty
Oh my goodness! These birdhouses are beyond cute! I love the different fabrics you used. I’m pinning these!!
Navy Wifey Peters @ The Submarine Sunday Link Party
Claire Armstrong
Thank you
Hip met Haken by Saskia
Your little houses are lovely! They make you smile 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they are kind of cute.
Vicky @ ShabbyShe
Oh wow I love these, so cute! I found you via Craft Schooling Sunday – I’m a fellow fabric-upcycler, nice to meet you 🙂 x
Claire Armstrong
Thanks, yes I love projects that use scraps of fabrics as I have quite a stash.
Judy
OMG – I’m head over heels in love with these. Question – when you sew the pieces together, do you pierce the fabric AND cardboard or just the fabric?
Thank you SO much… 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thanks, I just pierce the fabric as they are padded this should be easy enough to do.
Judy
thank you so much – the details, you know… 🙂
creativejewishmom/sara
love love love! Would look adorable hanging in a corner of a child’s room too! Thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday! You will definately be getting featured next week!
Ginny
Love your birdhouses, they are so pretty.
Dawn ~ Spatulas On Parade
Adorable and really easy. Thanks for linking up with Wonderful Wednesday
Claire Armstrong
Thank you all for pinning and sharing.
CD Loken
Awesome tutorial, Claire! Your fabric birdhouses are adorable! Thank you for sharing at The Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop! Pinning for sure!!!
Carrie Groneman
Hello Claire, Thank you for linking up to the Wonderful Wed. Blog Hop. I featured you on my FB page, as well as linking to your blog. I can’t wait to see more from your creative hands. LOVE your site; Appreciate that you share with all of us! Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
Erica
Seriously one of the cutest things I’ve seen in a really long time!
Tammy
These are absolutely adorable. Have to make one. Sharing
Claire Armstrong
Thank you to you both.
Sinea Pies
Wow! How cute is this. Pinning and sharing, too. ♥
Vickie @Vickie's Kitchen and Garden
These are just delightful! I bet you do have requests for them! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty
Claire Armstrong
Thank you
Jennifer
Oh, goodness! These are so cute. Thanks for showing us how to make them.
By the way, I’d love to have you post on my new blog hop—The Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home (www.myflagstaffhome.com). It starts on Thursday evenings and last through the weekend, if you’re interested.
Jennifer
Claire Armstrong
Thanks and thank you for the invite
Rochelle @ eSheepDesigns
Very cute and totally unique!
Erlene
I absolutely love these! Great way to recycle boxes and use fabric scraps. Hope you can join us on the Merry Monday party this Sunday at 6pm PST.
Claire Armstrong
Thanks and thanks for the invite
Katherines Corner
Extreme Cuteness! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop.Watch for your feature on Monday xo
Claire Armstrong
Thanks will do
Susan the eclecticshorebird
These are so cute! I can think of many places one would look just adorable. Visiting from Home Matters.
Susan- eclecticshorebird@blogspot.com
Claire Armstrong
Thanks for visiting
All that's Jas
Way too cute and so decorative! What a great idea. Thank you for linking up with Thursday favorite Things and I hope you have a glorious day!
Claire Armstrong
Thanks glad you like them
Nina
Oh my goodness! These birdhouses are adorable ;o) I would like to share them with my readers and reblog just one image and a link back here with your permission. Please let me know if I may do that. I’m definitely going to make a few of these with my girls this weekend. Great idea and it is so fun to find things that we can do together. Thanks so much for sharing. We have a blog hop going on today that you might want to join. It is the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop, sponsored by Katherine’s Corner. You can link up from my blog if you want: http://www.mamaslittletreasures.com Looking forward to hearing from you soon! Nina @ Vintage Mama’s Cottage
Claire Armstrong
Glad you like them yes of course you can share them if you link back to my blog. They are fun to make and really easy, and quite addictive as they look so cute in a variety of sizes. Thanks hope you enjoy making them.
Nina
Thank you so much! I will post today and share your birdhouses on my blog and link back here. I appreciate your generosity ;o) Nina @ Vintage Mama’s Cottage
Cat @ThatBettieThing
Oh these are cute. I have some cardboard and fabric that would work. I might just give them a whirl!
Claire Armstrong
Thanks you should they don’t take long and look great.
Janice Armstrong
I love these…they are so sweet. Great fabric choices!!
Claire Armstrong
Thanks, they are really easy and fun to do.
Jackie
I love these! Thank you very much for the tutorial….
Claire Armstrong
Thanks