Make with confidence

What fabric for each item?

Use this as a quick reference for regular sewing projects. When a current rescue request or pattern gives different instructions, follow those instructions.

General notes

Reusing clean, good-quality fabric is welcome. Avoid fabric that is thinning or stained.
Avoid fabric with pilling, as animals may suck on the pills.
Use natural fibres against skin. Breathability and softness matter for liners. If you would not swaddle a baby in it, don’t use it as a liner.
Some current requests may call for different materials. Check the request before making.
Avoid glitter or plastic coatings, such as plastic-backed curtains.

Fabric	3D, porthole & hanging pouch outer	Joey pouch outer	Joey pouch inner	Animal crate beds	Possum drey/cubby	Rescue basket kits	Microbat rescue bags & pouches	Bat wraps
100% cotton flannelette	Yes	Best	Yes	Best	No	No	Yes	Rescue bag and pouch liner
100% cotton quilting fabric	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
Cotton knit (at least 90% cotton)	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
Bamboo fabric	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Rescue bag and pouch liner
Terry cloth / towelling	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Tight-weave linen	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Polar fleece	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Pouch outer
Muslin (like baby swaddles)	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Drill fabric (cotton/polyester blend)	Best	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Chenille or polyester fleece / sweatshirt material	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Pouch outer

A couple more reminders

If using new fabric, wash it and put it through the dryer to pre-shrink it.
For larger pouches and liners, use strong fabric and reinforce seams because larger animals will use them.

For a specific make, follow the materials listed in its current pattern and request.