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.
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 Round Tracker.
Where we're up to right now: the ideal Christmas round (closing 15 October) has been and gone. You haven't missed Christmas, though. Fabric ordered in the current round is due to ship from late November into early December, which should put it in your hands roughly a week before Christmas.
That's tight, and I want to be straight with you about it: it's enough time for scrunchies, napkins, gift wrap, bunting and stockings. It is not enough time for matching family pyjamas unless you sew fast and postage is kind. If you're planning big makes, aim for Christmas in July instead and order whenever suits.
November rounds are for next year's stash, Christmas in July, or summer sewing, but not for this Christmas.
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.
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.
Your Christmas sewing timeline from here
- Right now: order your fabric in the current round and print your PDF patterns while you wait.
- While you wait: buy thread, elastic and notions, measure everyone, and clear the sewing table.
- Late November to early December: your fabric arrives. Pre-wash it, then start with the gifts that have to be posted.
- Mid December: quick makes — gift wrap, napkins, stockings, scrunchies.
- Christmas Eve: 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
Is it too late to order Christmas fabric for 2026?
Not quite. Fabric ordered in the current round should arrive about a week before Christmas. That works for small gifts and table makes; it's risky for anything big. Ordering after the current round means your fabric is for next Christmas.
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, the current round is your last realistic one, so now's the time to shop Christmas fabric.
Happy sewing,
Missy x