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Sew A Pet Bed

Debbie Colgrove

Sew your own pet bed! I love my cat but I don't enjoy having to find a lint brush every time I've sat down on my furniture. To my amazement, Skittles took immediately to her personal bed and it has drastically reduced my lint brush needs.
The size shown here will also accommodate a small dog.


Materials
  • 2 yards of 45" wide fabric
  • Stiff interfacing for bottom
  • Stuffing
  • 59" of piping
  • Thread
  • 14" circle template (An embroidery hoop works well for this and for fabric bowls)
  • Patterns for bottom of bed -- find pattern directions here

    Cutting Directions
  • Cut one of each pattern piece from the fabric of your choice.
  • Cut one of the smaller base piece from heavy interfacing. The type used for fabric bowls worked wonderfully.
    As of 01/09/06, Long Creek Mills still has an interfacing for fabric bowls and boxes for $1/yard, that works as well as the brand name. You have to call them to place an order. I have been very happy with the items I have received.
  • Cut four 10" by the width of the fabric strips

    Directions

  • Fold the base pieces in quarters and gently press or mark the folds to use when assembling the pieces

  • Remove 1/2" of the cord from your piping. Butt the ends of the cord, fold over one raw edge from the covering where you removed the piping. Sew the edge of the cording so that it forms a circle. Be sure to keep the piping straight so that the cording is all on one edge and not twisted. Set aside.

  • Baste the interfacing to the smaller base piece, 3/4" from the edge. Trim the interfacing just outside the stitching.
    Trim the interfacing
  • Sew two rows of basting stitches on the otter edge of the larger base piece. Stitch less thatn 1/2" from the edge.

  • Pin wrong sides together, matching the fold lines. Gather the upper base to be the same size as the lower base.
    Match the folds to center one base on the other
  • Stitch using a 1/2" seam, leaving an area open to stuff the base.

  • Stuff the base, keeping the stuffing centered in the base as much as possible.
  • Finish sewing the edge closed. Set aside.

  • Sew two strips together to form a circle, using 1/2" seams. Repeat for the second set of strips.

  • Sew two rows of basting stitches on the upper edge of each side piece.

  • Fold the piping and side pieces in quarters. Mark the quarter folds. Mark both edges of the side pieces. Gather one edge of the side to fit the piping, matching the marks.

  • Sew the piping to the edge of the side.

  • Gather the other side piece to fit the piping and sew right sides together.
    Attach other side piece
  • Apply a seam finish to the raw edge.
  • Turn the sides so the wrong sides are together. As you sew basting stitches, which join the raw edges, stop every 6-12" and stuff the tube. Keep the stuffing up at the piped seam as much as possible.

  • Sew a second row of basting stitches.
  • Place the raw edges of the side, on the flat side of the bottom. Match the fold lines on the base with the quarter marks on the sides. Gather the side to fit the edge of the bottom. Sew using a 1/2" seam. Apply a seam finish.
  • Turn the sides so they enclose the seam and are on the top side of the bed. Remove basting stitches which are holding the interfacing on the bottom, if desired.
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