Make a Comfy Bed for Your Dog
If you have a dog who prefers to sleep on top of your quilt (or doona, or comforter) rather than his own dog bed, then this simple project can help. I'll show you how to quickly and easily make your pooch his own comfy dog bed. And with summer and winter weight covers, the one bed will do him all year round!
To Make Your Pattern
The pattern is really very simple – just a square. The important thing is to make sure the bed will be large enough for your dog. We are using the same approach as is used for quilt or doona covers.
Measure your dog from nose to end of tail, and then measure his height from the ground to the tops of his ears. Take whichever is the longer measurement and add 3" (or 8cm). This is the size of your dog bed.
So, for example, my dog is 23" tall and 18" long, so I'll make a 26" square dog bed for him. (And in centimetres, that's 59cm by 46cm, so my dog bed will be 67cm square).
Fabric & Notions
Remember when buying your fabric that you need two square pieces. So, using the example above again, I will need fabric measuring 26" by 52" (or 67cm by 1.34m).
The fabric for your dog bed will depend on the time of year. For winter, why not make the bed cover using microfibre or polar fleece type fabrics. In summer, choose a heavy weight cotton. For those in between seasons, you could use corduroy or denim. Just remember the fabric needs to be tough enough to withstand the dog turning around 3 times every night before he goes to sleep!
For the insert, you can either buy quilting, or, depending on the size of your dog, even a cot quilt folded over in half may do! Shop around to compare prices.
Once you have bought your quilting, check to see what size opening you will need in the bed cover to easily insert and remove the filling. Test it out on pillowcases, cushion covers and so on, so you can get an idea what size opening you will need. Jot this number down somewhere as we will need it later!
For the closure, you have a choice of snap fasteners (ball and socket type), buttons, Velcro or even a zipper. Choose the one you are most comfortable with, and that you think your pooch won't rip open. Velcro fasteners are relatively easy in that they can be attached using your sewing machine, and they are nowhere near as fiddly as zippers to attach. Buttons and snap fasteners require hand sewing, but again are fairly simple to do – the only trick with buttons is creating your button hole. However, these days, most sewing machines have an automatic button-hole stitch.
If using Velcro or a zipper, you will need one that is long enough to cover the gap size you calculated earlier.
Making Your Dog Bed
Depending on the type of fabric, you may want to run a quick zigzag stitch around the entire outer edge of your piece (or pieces) of fabric, especially if it is the type of fabric that is likely to "run".
Now, lay out your fabric and fold in half to form your square, with the right sides together. Don't worry if you got your fabric in two pieces, just lay one piece on top of the other, with their right sides together.
We now want to stitch together almost all of the fabric, but leave a gap large enough in the top side to be able to easily insert and remove your filling, as we calculated earlier. Before we start sewing, we need to calculate how far along the top edge we need to sew.
So, if you calculated that you need 16" for your gap (to insert and remove the filling), and your material is 26" wide, then (deducting the 1" seam allowance either side) you need to sew in 4" on each end of the top edge. I'll explain – we take the width (26") then take off the two seam allowances for the two sides (1" each – leaves us 24"), then deduct the gap required (16" – leaves us with 8") and then divide this by 2, as we need to have the gap centred along the top edge (that leaves us with 4" each side).
If Your Fabric Is In One Piece
Stitch along one side 1" (or 2½cm) away from the edge, then stop 2" (or 5cm) from the top edge, turn your material around, and stitch along the length calculated above (in my example it was 4"). Now cut off the thread, and then do the same with other side.
If Your Fabric Is In Two Pieces
If your fabric is on two pieces, it is a lot easier. Just decide which side will have your opening, then position the needle 2" in from the top edge and the length you calculated above from the bottom. Start stitching, and about 1" from the bottom, stop, turn your fabric so you are now ready to sew the side seam, continue sewing until you come to the bottom, and so on, until you get back to your top edge. Just remember that we are allowing a 2" hem allowance for the top edge, not 1".
Now just attach your preferred closure items and you're done!!
About the Author
Diane Ellis has been sewing since she was very young and got her first sewing machine at 6 years old (albeit a miniature one!). She sews purely for friends and family, and enjoys making her own patterns, and using her skills to decorate her home. She is the co-author of the websiteSewing4Dummies.com where, for a limited time, you can sign up for a free 6 part sewing course called Easy Fun Sewing Projects.
No Sew Fleece Ponchos : Attaching a Fleece Flower for a Reversible Poncho
|
|
JACKET & HAT Pattern ~ Great for Fleece ~ Simplicity 4025 Uncut $8.99 |
|
|
Burda 9763 Boys Sweatshirt & Fleece Jacket Sewing Pattern Size 11-16 $5.94 |
|
|
4849 Fleece Accessories Hats Scarf Mittens Gloves Pattern one size UNCUT - 2001 $9.99 |
|
|
2450 Kwik Fleece Hats & Slipper Socks Pattern size XS-XL UNCUT - 1995 $12.99 |
|
|
SIMPLICITY MISSES FLEECE ACCESSORIES Sewing Pattern #7005 - One Size - NEW $1.98 |
|
|
Fleece HATS, BLANKETS & TOTE Pattern Simplicity 7406 Uncut $1.49 |
|
|
M3402 EZ JACKET HAT VEST PANT PATTERN s m l 31.5" 40" VEST PRINCESS SEAM FLEECE $0.99 |
|
|
S2014 PULLOVER FLEECE PONCHO PATTERN BUST 30" TO 38" EASY FUN HOOD ROO POCKET $0.99 |
|
|
Childrens Fleece Cotton Hooted Poncho Sewing Pattern cute neat $7.74 |
|
|
Simplicity Pattern 2394 Fleece Stuffed Animals elephant monkey giraffe rhino toy $4.97 |
|
|
Simplicity Fleece Animals Pattern "NEW" $2.50 |
|
|
CAT DOG PET BED *EASY* FLEECE,COAT,MAT,PAD,COLLAR,COSTUME 2 Patterns S3960,M5165 $13.75 |
|
|
Hooded JACKET & VEST Pattern Simplicity 8936 Uncut ~ Great for Fleece $0.99 |
|
|
Polar Fleece Socks Pattern $0.99 |
|
|
Simplicity Pattern 2135 Misses Jacket & Hat sz. 6-24 Fleece $2.99 |
|
|
Simplicity Pattern 2136 Misses Jacket & Vest sz 8-18 Fleece $2.99 |
|
|
Fleece Accessories Pattern Simplicity 5908 Sewing for Dummies Mittens Hat Poncho $7.00 |
|
|
McCalls 2669 Pattern Girls Boys Stretch Knit Top Pants Size 3-4-5 Fleece $3.99 |
|
|
Plush Fleece Animals Pattern Simplicity 2394 Giraffe Monkey Elephant Hippo $7.00 |
|
|
Sewing Pattern - Simplicity 3955 - Fleece Throws $5.00 |
|
|
MCCALL'S 4263 FLEECE SCARVES PATTERN $5.00 |
|
|
OOP! VERY EASY CUTE COMFY FLEECE HATS BEGINNER SEWING PATTERN Simplicity 2081 $9.99 |
|
|
Misses Loose Fit POLAR FLEECE HOODED REVERSIBLE JACKET PATTERN S16-22 UNCUT $7.99 |
|
|
Easy Loose Fit Fleece Jacket Butterick Pattern Sz 16-22 $8.99 |
|
|
Easy Loose Fit Fleece Jacket Butterick Pattern Sz 4-14 $5.99 |
|
|
Comfort- Flannel massage face rest cover ***These are luxuriously soft Body Linen 4.5 oz flannel covers, not cheap imitations. These wonderfully soft and comfortable cradle covers are a steal at these prices. *** Enjoy the relaxing feel of 100% cotton flannel. Keeps your client's face cool in the heat and warm in the cold. Our fitted face cradle covers fit the crescent face rest of almost all massage tables, even with a fleece pad undern... |
|
|
Kiddopotamus Snuzzler Complete Head and Body Support, Ivory Terry $6.40 Product Description The award-winning Snuzzler provides the ideal support for baby's back and head, adjusting upward as baby grows. Keeps baby perfectly supported and comfortable in any seat, and in any season! The soft terry cloth material provides comfort to baby all year long, and is perfect for warmer climates. The unique contours work easily with all harness straps, including 3 and 5 point ha... |
|
|
Alex Toys Knot-A-Quilt $14.57 The ALEX Knot-A-Quilt is an easy way to instantly create a super soft quilt. There is absolutely no cutting, sewing or knitting involved! Simply tie the pre-cut fringe squares together one by one. The fleece squares come in 6 bright colors. Kids will be able to knot a 3.5 foot by 4.5 foot quilt in no time! Cuddle up with a super soft fleece quilt. Precut quilt squares make it easy- just knot t... |
|
|
McCall's Patterns M3469 18-Inch Doll Accessories, One Size Only $4.75 Mccall's Crafts Fits American Girl 18" Doll Clothes Pattern Shoes, Hats, Boots, backpack, mittens, scarf, sandals... |
|
|
Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Projects Using Cottons, Knits, Voiles, Corduroy, Fleece, Flannel, Home Dec, Oilcloth, Wool, and Beyond $16.04 The best-selling authors of One-Yard Wonders are back with an all-new collection of 101 sewing projects that each require just one yard of fabric! This time, the projects are organized by fabric type. From home dec to knits, wool to flannels, corduroy to cottons, these patterns--contributed by popular sewing bloggers and designers from across North America--show how to make the most of each fabric... |