How to Sew Your Own Bird Seed Catcher

Cage

• 1

  Select a durable, washable fabric such as cotton or light-weight denim.

• 2

  Measure the diameter of the base of a round cage. Cut a round of fabric the diameter of the cage plus 8 inches -- for example, a 12-inch cage requires a 20-inch round. For a square cage, measure the length and width of the base of the bird cage. Add 8 inches to each dimension. Cut a piece of fabric this size.

• 3

  Wrap an elastic band around the cage horizontally, as if measuring a waist, so that the elastic fits snugly and the ends overlap 1 inch. Cut the elastic.

• 4

  Hand stitch the elastic to the perimeter or the cloth piece using a basting stitch, a loose straight stitch.

• 5

  Roll the edge of the round inward twice as if hemming the base of a skirt; the first roll enfolds the elastic, the second encloses the raw edge.

• 6

  Stitch over the hem to keep it in place with a zig-zag stitch.

Bird Feeder

• 7

  Select a fine mesh netting or water-permeable fabric.

• 8

  Cut a piece of cloth 3 inches wider and longer than the feeder. Increase the measured diameter by 3 inches for a round feeder.

• 9

  Straighten a wire hanger. Bend the wire so that it is proportional to the perimeter of the fabric, but 2 inches smaller -- for example, an 8-inch round of fabric will have a 6-inch wire round. Clip excess wire or bend it around the loop, to double the thickness of the material.

• 10

  Hem the end of the material to enclose the raw edge. Fold the fabric inward 1/4 inch, twice. Sew over the folded material.

• 11

  Sew the fabric to the wire frame with a whip or blanket stitch. Insert the needle into the material and pull out, around the wire and into the front. Repeat. Use a water-resistant nautical thread or fishing line.

• 12

  Cut six to eight, 2-foot lengths of thread. Tie the thread to the wire frame at even intervals.

• 13

  Tie the thread to the birdfeeder or the tree above the feeder. Ensure the bird seed catcher is positioned under the feeder.

• 14

  Test the catcher to ensure the seed does not bounce off the material. Make the fabric round larger if it does.