How to Sew a Dog Collar

Whether you would like to save money or put your creativity to work making a one-of-a-kind collar for your dog, this is a simple and fun project that will have a completed collar for your dog in a matter of hours. Anyone with even a little sewing experience can easily make a fun and attractive dog collar.

Things You'll Need

• Nylon webbing Ribbon in a smaller width than webbing Parachute buckle Brass D-ring (width across the flat side same as webbing width) Sewing machine Sewing notions (scissors, thread, pins, etc.) Assorted embellishments (optional)

Instructions

1. Measure the dog's neck. Add six inches to this measurement. This is the length of webbing and ribbon necessary to make the collar. When purchasing the webbing, the width is up to you, but recommended collar width for small dogs is 1/2 inch to 1 inch, for medium dogs it is 1 inch to 2 inches, and for large dogs the recommended width is 1 inch to 2.5 inches.

2. Cut a length of webbing according to the measurement taken in Step 1. Cut a length of ribbon one inch longer than the webbing.

3. Layer the ribbon over the webbing with both facing right-side up. Center the length of ribbon width-wise the length-wise over the webbing (1/2 inch of ribbon extending beyond each webbing end). Wrap the ribbon ends over the edges of the webbing and pin to secure.

4. Sew just inside the ribbon along each long edge of the ribbon to attach the ribbon to the webbing.

5. Unclip the buckle. Take the three-pronged end of the buckle and thread the right side of the sewn webbing strip through the buckle. As you do this make sure that the curve of the buckle follows how the collar will curve when it is on the dog's neck. Pull several inches of the webbing through the buckle opening and insert it back through the next buckle opening. Allow approximately three inches of excess webbing to be sewn down. Stitch across the webbing twice to secure this side of the buckle.

6. Place the D-ring onto the webbing and position it roughly in the center of the collar. Thread the other half of the buckle onto the webbing in the same manner as the first half. Make sure that this half of the buckle also follows how the collar will curve when it is on the dog's neck.

7. Fit the collar to the dog to make sure it is comfortable, but not too loose. It is recommended that two fingers fit under the collar for proper fit. When the collar fit is adjusted properly, pin the collar to secure it from moving out of adjustment.

8. Stitch across the collar twice to secure the other half of the buckle.

9. Sew another parallel line across the collar approximately one inch from the last stitching line. Position the D-ring beside this stitching line and stitch 1/2 inch on the other side of the D-ring to keep it from moving along the collar to finish the collar.

Tips & Warnings

• Embellish as desired with anything you can hand stitch onto the collar. You could sew jewels, buttons, or any kind of trim onto the collar to make it unique and special.