DIY Network

Custom Collar This specially designed collar is safe for you dog: if the collar gets snagged on something, it will release without harming him. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-129

Cathy Pitters uses two colors of vinyl to create a custom collar. This design features a decorative punch design and a buckle that will release if your dog gets caught on anything.

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Materials:

Custom Collar

colorful vinyl piece, 1" wide and the circumference of your dog's neck
black vinyl piece with felt backing, the same size as the other vinyl piece.
3" of 3/4" elastic
vest buckle
sewing machine with matching thread
standard 1/4" hole punch
scissors
pinking shears
tape measure
pen
ruler

1. Loosely measure your pup's neck to determine how long the vinyl pieces need to be. The additional 3" elastic piece will add just enough length to allow the collar to go through the buckle.

2. For sewing on vinyl, you will need a denim or leather needle for your machine. You will also want to sew with the felt side facing up to prevent the drag between the sticky vinyl and the sewing machine foot.

3. Use a ruler and pen to mark a line lengthwise down the center back of the colorful vinyl piece (figure A). This will be a guide for punching the decorative holes down the center. Now use the ruler to make a mark every 1" along that center line (figure B). This is where you are going to punch the holes.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

4. After you have punched the holes, use the center line as a guide to cut one end of the colorful vinyl piece to a point. Use that point as a guide to cut one end of the black vinyl piece to a point. Loop the elastic around the center bar of the vest buckle (figure C) and stitch it together, leaving a long tail of elastic to attach to the collar.

5. Place the colorful vinyl on top of the black vinyl so that the black is showing through the punched holes and the felt backing is on the inside of the collar (figure D). Place the long end of elastic between these two layers at the flat end of the collar and stitch it in place. Continue sewing all around the edges of the collar, leaving a 3/16" seam allowance (figure E).

Figure D

Figure E

6. Use the plain scissors to trim the excess vinyl off the pointed end and the pinking shears to trim the two long sides.

GUESTS :

Cathy Pitters
Bossa Nova Baby
Website: www.bossanovababy.com