DIY Network

Dogs Rock Pamper your favorite pooch with great homemade gifts. From "Creative Juice" episode DCRJ-107L

(Continued from page 2)

Fleece Pet Beds

Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza create an easy-to-make pet bed that's perfect for a little catnap.

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Fleece Pet Beds

Materials:

pillow
measuring tape
scissors
approximately 1 yd. outerwear fleece
1 scrap of outerwear fleece
sewing machine or hand sewing needles
matching thread
low-tack painter's tape (the blue kind)
permanent marker

1. Measure the length and width of the pillow. Add 8" to each measurement to determine the amount of fabric needed (figure A). For example, if your pillow measures 20"x30", you will need a 28"x38" piece of fabric. Cut two pieces of fleece to the determined measurement; this will be the fabric for the pet bed.

2. From the scrap of fleece, cut a bone or fish shape that measures roughly 10" shorter than the length of the pillow. Center the shape on the right side of the top piece of the bed and pin in place. Sew (by hand or on a machine) around the edges of the shape (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

3. Place the top bed piece (the appliquéed one) over the bottom piece, wrong sides together. Pin the fabric together, if necessary (if fleece fabric is used, it clings together and will not need pinning).

4. Cut a 4" square from each corner, making sure to cut through both layers of fabric.

5. Use painter's tape to create a guide for cutting the fringe. Tape off a 4"-deep mark around the bed (figure C). Using a permanent marker, mark at 1" intervals on the tape (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

6. Using the tape measure, cut the fringe around all sides of the bed (figure E). The fringe should measure 4" deep and 1" wide (don’t worry if it isn’t perfect--no one will ever know).

7. Using an overhand knot, tie the top and bottom fringe together, continuing around three sides of the bed (figure F). Stuff the bed with the pillow and tie the top and bottom fringe together on the remaining side.

Figure E

Figure F

8. To wash the bed, untie one side, remove the pillow, wash in cold water and tumble or hang dry. Once the bed is dry, replace the pillow and tie the bed closed. Wash the pillow separately as necessary.

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