How to sew patchwork bird softies
We've got the perfect quick and easy Spring sewing project for you – make these sweet softie bird decorations with our free bird sewing pattern and step-by-step guide.
Each bird will only take you an hour or two to make, and you don't need many supplies to try them – in fact, even if you don't have a sewing machine, you could easily hand-sew these with small hand stitches.
Once you’ve got the hang of the basic construction of these DIY bird decorations, you can start embellishing with your own little details. It really is easy to make these little birdies your own!
We've used country-style pastels and floral prints, which are perfect for a spring-time feel, but this is a handy scrap-buster project too to breathe new life into fabric offcuts from your previous makes. Try solids for a more traditional finish. We used baker’s twine to hang our little birds, but ribbon or ric-rac would look cute too.
Helen Phillips is an author and designer whose love of needlecraft led her to create original designs, including patchwork and quilting, and she also has a lovely Etsy store. This project was first published in Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine.
How to sew bird softies
You will need
- A variety of small pieces of printed cottons
- Polyester toy filling
- Two black beads for eyes
- Black cotton
- Teal and white baker’s twine
- White card for templates
- Sewing machine or needle & thread
- Beginners sewing kit
If you're new to sewing, this is a great project to learn the ropes. Check out our guide to sewing for beginners to learn more.
Finished size
4½in x 4in approx
Your free bird softie template
Download our Free bird sewing pattern PDF to help you make this project.
Making the bird
Step 1
Using our free bird sewing pattern PDF as your template, trace the bird body, the tummy insert and the wing onto a sheet of white card and cut out carefully to make reusable templates.
Step 2
Cut two 5in squares of printed cotton and place right sides together. Place the bird shape on the wrong side of one piece of fabric and draw carefully around it, marking where the opening will be.
Take a piece of contrasting fabric for the bird’s tummy insert and draw around that template on the back of the fabric. Cut out, leaving a ¼in seam allowance.
Step 3
Sew around the bird shape by hand or machine and then trim the seam. Turn the bird the right way out, carefully pushing out the beak and the tail to make a clear shape.
Take the tummy insert and pin it in place on one side of the opening. Sew with a ¼in seam and repeat for the second side, leaving a small gap for stuffing near the tail.
If you don't have a machine of your own, check out our round-up of the best sewing machines for beginners.
Step 4
Stuff the bird firmly with polyester toy filling and sew the gap neatly closed.
Step 5
For the wings, take two pieces of cotton fabric and with right sides together draw around the wing shape onto one of them. Sew around the wing shape, leaving a small gap for turning.
Turn the wing out to the right side, push the shape out carefully and press. Sew up the small gap neatly. Make another wing in the same way.
Step 6
Attach the wings on either side of the bird with a few stitches or with fabric glue.
Finishing off
Step 1
Sew black beads in place for the eyes using black cotton.
Step 2
Thread a large-eyed needle with a 10in length of baker’s twine and draw it through the top of the bird’s head. Remove the needle and tie the twine in a small knot. Tie another knot at the top of the twine for hanging the bird.
Turn your scraps into mini birds!
These adorable little patchwork birds are the perfect mini weekend project. You can sew them using any scrap fabrics you own, including old clothing or offcuts from larger projects. Stitch up a whole flock and hang them in your home this weekend.
Discover more quick sewing projects
For more easy home sewing scrap-buster inspiration, learn how to make bunting with our tutorial!
