Transform an old wire coat hanger and fabric scraps into a charming spring fabric birdcage decoration with our easy-to-follow tutorial. Perfect for adding a whimsical touch to your spring decor.
Maybe it’s because I’m the daughter of an ornithologist; spring makes me think of birds. This gave me the idea of making a scrap fabric birdcage decoration for the home.
These upcycled fabric birdcages would make a lovely gift, and as with the fabric birdhouses I made, they can be personalized by using a favourite old shirt or blouse.
Any old fabric scraps will do for these gorgeous birdcage decorations. I’ve been eyeing up an old pink-striped shirt of my husband’s, which I think I’ll wear next.
DIY Fabric Birdcage Decoration For Spring
The fabric birdcage takes about 1 hour to make and costs almost nothing as you use stuff around the home.
We’re a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What you need to make a fabric Birdcage
- Two wire coat hangers (like the ones you get from the dry cleaners)
- Small round metal flan case or any round object about 7-8cm in diameter. If you don’t have anything like that, you can use a round bit of stiff cardboard
- Scraps of cotton fabric or an old cotton shirt.
- Pliers, wire cutters, glue brush, duct tape & glue
- Small twig and twine and feather bird
As I used a hanger for this craft, it has featured under H in the A to Z of upcycling resource ideas.
How to make a fabric birdcage
Making The Wire Frame
Step 1: Firstly, you need to make the birdcage frame. Cut the wire coat hangers with wire cutters in the two places shown in the picture below.
Step 2: Shape your hanger into the shape below using duct tape in the corner to hold it in place. Do this to both hangers, but cut the top hook off the second hanger.
Step 3: Slot your two hangers together to form a cross shape and secure in place with duct tape. Don’t worry about how much duct tape you use; you will cover it all in fabric.
Now your frame is ready to cover in fabric.
Covering The Frame In Fabric
Step 4: Tear the fabric into strips about 3cm wide. Tearing gives a better effect than cutting. With a brush, paste the wrong side of the fabric with glue and then wrap it around the wire frame, overlapping as you go. Continue until the whole fabric birdhouse frame is covered.
Step 5: Cover whatever you use for the base in fabric and stick this to the bottom of your cage. This is relatively easy to do as you are sticking fabric to fabric.
Step 6: Finally, the fabric birdcage is almost finished. You only need to hang a twig from the frame with some twine to make a perch and add your bird.
I bought by bird months ago on a trip to Brighton, but they are easy enough to find on Amazon. You could even make a fabric one yourself; there are loads of patterns on Pinterest.
You’ll find lots more spring craft ideas here.
With mothers day around the corner, I think that one of these fabric birdcages would make for a lovely Mothers Day gift. You could make the gift even more special using an old favourite blouse or shirt.
You should check out these upcycled crafts for more Mother’s Day gift ideas.
Eric
Friday 2nd of August 2019
Very cool and creative! Looks like you bought it somewhere!
Claire Armstrong
Sunday 4th of August 2019
Thank you so much.
Cecilia
Sunday 24th of February 2019
So cute! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Claire Armstrong
Monday 25th of February 2019
Thank you so much!
Kumaş Kuş Kafesi I DIY | Eda Demirel
Thursday 22nd of February 2018
[…] Kuş Kafesi DIY bahar aylarında balkonu, bahçenizi naif dekorlarla süslemek için birebir. Blog sahibinin kafesleri yapmak yaklaşık bir saatini almış ve evde zaten sahip olduğu şeyleri […]
10 impressive ways to upcycle coat hangers - DIY
Tuesday 12th of September 2017
[…] done with this project, those wire hangers will be unrecognizable! This fun craft from Pillar Box Blue makes a beautiful and unique birdcage which is a fun addition to your springtime décor. And best […]
How To Make A Fabric Stags Head With Free Pattern - Pillar Box Blue
Monday 11th of September 2017
[…] which one yet. You may like some of my other fabric decorations: Homemade fabric birdhouse Spring Fabric Birdcage amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; […]