Mel Armstrong's fabric collections bring together Australian wildlife, botanical illustration and coordinated colour in designs suited to quilting and everyday sewing. Two of the ranges stocked by Koala Fabrics, Flora & Fauna and Botanicals, approach the natural world from different directions.
Flora & Fauna combines animals and plants in distinctly Australian scenes, while Botanicals puts flowers and foliage at the centre of the design. Both collections work well for makers who want illustrated fabric with enough coordinating options to build a complete project.
You can browse the current Mel Armstrong fabric collection to see which designs are available now.
Mel Armstrong Fabric at a Glance
Mel Armstrong's prints are illustration-led rather than purely geometric or abstract. The artwork gives each fabric a clear subject, which makes the ranges useful for feature blocks, fussy cutting and projects where the print is intended to be noticed.
The collections also include designs that can play a supporting role. Smaller florals and coordinating prints can sit beside the larger illustrations without competing with them, making it easier to plan quilts, cushions, bags and other coordinated makes.
Flora & Fauna
Flora & Fauna celebrates Australian wildlife and plant life together. The range features animals such as koalas, cockatoos, kangaroos and wombats among floral and botanical details.
The mix of animals and plants gives this collection broad project potential. A wildlife print can be used as the feature fabric in a quilt, while supporting designs can be used for borders, binding or smaller patchwork pieces. The same fabrics also suit cushions, tote bags, home décor and selected children's clothing.
For an Australiana quilt, the animal designs can be paired with solids or simple checks, stripes and spots. Keeping some areas quieter allows the illustrated sections to remain the focus.
Botanicals
Botanicals shifts the attention towards flowers and foliage. The collection includes gum blossoms, banksia-inspired forms and other decorative florals, giving it a more plant-focused look than Flora & Fauna.
These prints work well in quilts and patchwork, but they can also move easily into cushions, bags, table runners and selected clothing projects. Larger botanical designs can become the feature, while smaller prints can be used where a project needs colour and detail without a strong animal theme.
The range is a useful option for makers who like Australian-inspired florals but want something more illustrative than a traditional small floral repeat.
Flora & Fauna or Botanicals?
The main difference is the subject matter.
- Choose Flora & Fauna if Australian animals are important to the project, or if you want wildlife and native-inspired plant details together.
- Choose Botanicals if you want flowers and foliage to lead the design without an animal theme.
- Mix the two when the colours work together and you want to carry botanical details between wildlife feature prints and quieter supporting sections.
Project Ideas for Mel Armstrong Fabrics
The illustrated style makes these collections particularly useful for projects where individual motifs or sections of print can be highlighted.
- Patchwork quilts and feature quilt blocks
- Fussy-cut details for appliqué or small patchwork pieces
- Cushions and table runners
- Tote bags, project bags and pouches
- Wall hangings and framed textile pieces
- Selected children's clothing and structured garment accents
- Handmade gifts with an Australian nature theme
Coordinating the Prints
When a feature print contains several colours, it can help to choose coordinates from colours already present in the artwork. A solid can repeat one of those shades, while a simple check, stripe or spot can add contrast without introducing another competing motif.
For quilts, use the larger illustrations where you want the eye to land first. Smaller botanical prints are useful for sashing, borders and secondary blocks. This creates a clearer hierarchy and lets the artwork do more of the work.
Shop Mel Armstrong Fabrics
Collections and individual designs change as fabrics sell through. Browse the current Mel Armstrong fabrics at Koala Fabrics, including available designs from Flora & Fauna, Botanicals and other releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Flora & Fauna and Botanicals?
Flora & Fauna combines Australian animals with floral and botanical details. Botanicals is more strongly focused on flowers and foliage.
What can I sew with Mel Armstrong fabrics?
They are suitable for projects such as quilts, patchwork, cushions, bags, home décor, handmade gifts and selected clothing projects, depending on the fabric base.
Are all Mel Armstrong collections always available?
No. Individual designs can sell through over time. The Mel Armstrong Fabrics collection at Koala Fabrics shows the current range available to order.
