Planning to sew for Christmas? Here's exactly when to order custom printed Christmas fabric in Australia so it arrives in time, plus the best fabric bases for PJs, stockings, table linen and gifts.
Every year my inbox fills up in late November with the same message: "Is it too late to get Christmas fabric?" If you're shopping for Christmas fabric in Australia and want to actually sew with it before the big day, the secret is simple: order earlier than feels natural. Because every metre we sell is custom printed to order, there's a little bit of planning involved. The good news? If you plan now, you'll be sewing matching PJs while everyone else is panic-buying in December.
Here's my honest, no-fluff guide to timing your Christmas sewing this year, plus the fabric bases I'd pick for the most popular Christmas projects.
When to order Christmas fabric in Australia for 2026
Our pre-order rounds close on the 15th and the last day of every month at midnight AEST. Once a round closes, your fabric is printed just for you, then cut, packed and shipped from Queensland 4–6 weeks after the round closes. You can always see where each round is up to on our printing schedule.
So for Christmas 2026, the dates look like this:
- Round closing 15 October: this is my recommended Christmas cutoff. Fabric from this round is due to ship from mid to late November, which leaves you time to wash, cut and sew without the stress.
- Round closing 31 October: this round is due to ship from late November into early December. It can work for quick projects, but with Christmas postage being what it is, I can't promise it'll land in time for big makes.
- November rounds: perfect for Christmas in July, next year's stash, or summer sewing, but not for this Christmas.
The short version: if it's for Christmas, order by 15 October. Our prints are permanent and stay available round after round, so there's no rush to grab a design before it disappears. The only deadline that matters here is the calendar.
The best fabric bases for Christmas sewing projects
Choosing the right base is half the battle. With 35+ bases to pick from, here's where I'd start for each classic Christmas make. If you want the full rundown of weights and stretch, our fabric base cheat sheet lays them all out side by side.
Matching Christmas pyjamas
Go for a soft knit. Bamboo lycra is buttery and breathable, which is a blessing for an Australian summer Christmas. French terry is lovely for cooler climates or if you're making lounge pants and jumpers for the Christmas Day photo. Kids' PJ sets usually need 1–1.5 metres, adults 2–2.5 metres depending on the pattern.
Christmas stockings and Santa sacks
You want structure here, so reach for cotton canvas. It holds its shape when it's stuffed full of presents and stands up to being reused every year. A Santa sack takes around 1 metre; you can get two or three stockings from the same amount.
Table runners, napkins and bunting
Woven cotton is the hero for anything on the Christmas table. It's crisp, easy to sew, presses beautifully and washes well after the gravy spills (and there will be gravy spills).
Fabric gift wrap and quick gifts
Fabric gift wrap is having a moment, and it's a gift in itself. Woven cotton squares (around 50–70 cm) wrap most presents furoshiki-style. Scrunchies, zip pouches, tea towels and kids' bandanas are fast, fun last-minute makes, too. Need more ideas? Have a look at my Christmas sewing gift ideas.
How to work out how much Christmas fabric to buy
Each quantity in our store is half a metre, and when you order more than one of the same print and base, it arrives as one continuous length. That means if your pattern needs 2 metres, you'd add 4 to your cart.
If you're sewing a set for the whole family, our fabric calculator takes the guesswork out of it. I always suggest adding a little extra (an extra half metre goes a long way) for pattern matching, shrinkage and that one extra scrunchie you'll inevitably want to make.
My Christmas sewing timeline
- Now to 15 October: choose your patterns, measure everyone, and order your Christmas fabric.
- Late October to early November: print your PDF patterns, buy thread, elastic and notions, and clear the sewing table.
- Mid to late November: your fabric arrives. Pre-wash it, then start with the biggest projects first.
- Early December: finish the quick makes, like gift wrap, napkins and stockings.
- Christmas Eve: pyjamas on, feet up. You earned it.
Shop our Christmas prints
Our Christmas fabric collection has hundreds of festive designs, from classic red-and-green to pastel Aussie Christmas, plus the beautiful Christmas range by Indy Bloom. Every print can be put on any of our bases, at the scale that suits your project.
Christmas fabric FAQs
What's the last day to order Christmas fabric for Christmas 2026?
For peace of mind, order in the round that closes on 15 October 2026. The 31 October round is due to ship from late November into early December, which may be cutting it fine depending on your project and postage.
Will the Christmas prints still be available next round?
Yes. Our prints are permanent and stay available every round. The only exception is our limited two-week Countdown Collection. The timing matters for Christmas because of printing and shipping, not because designs sell out.
Which fabric is best for Christmas pyjamas in Australia?
Bamboo lycra is my top pick for a warm Aussie Christmas because it's soft, stretchy and breathable. French terry is great if you want something cosier for lounge sets.
I'd love to see what you make this Christmas! Come and share your projects with 22,000+ fellow makers in our Facebook group. And if you're sewing for Christmas, don't forget that this round closes 15 October at midnight AEST, so now's the time to shop Christmas fabric.
Happy sewing,
Missy x