How to Sew a Dog Bed

This is a very simple and easy-to-make dog pillow that is pest-proof and odor-controlled.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 40in by 80in piece of thick terrycloth (depending on size of dog)
• matching thread
• large needle and pins
• scissors
• optional: iron
• sewing machine (or by hand--just takes longer)
• 30 inch zipper in matching color
• Cedar chips

1. Take your rectangular piece of material and square off your ends. You are going to fold the material in half, add the zipper to the far end, and sew the remaining two sides as follows:

2. Fold over and pin down 1 inch of cloth all along one of the 40inch ends of your material, towards the 'inside' of the material. (Or you can press down your folds with a hot iron)

3. Now line up and 'center' your zipper, with the 'inside' side facing the inside (obviously, you'd think). Using the pins holding the fold in place, remove one at a time and pin the zipper into place, through the fold. (The fold gets rid of ends that could fray). You can offset the zipper, so that it's hidden by the fold, or not. Up to you. Make sure the 'upside' of the zipper is facing out.

4. Repeat with the opposite 40inch end. Pin down the fold, then pin it to the still free side of the zipper. Sew the zipper on to the fabric. Finish sewing the seam on either side of the zipper at the crease made by the fold.

5. Turn your bag inside out, and sew closed the other two edges, with one inch seams, so that you have a big empty bag with a zipper in it.

6. Fill the bag with cedar chips, enough to make a comfortable dog bed. The terrycloth bag protects the dog from getting drying oils on its coat while the cedar chips keep the dog bed smelling fresh and keeps away ticks and fleas.

7. Changing out the cedar chips is easy--just dump out and refill as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have an 'outside' versus an 'inside' of your material, always make your folds to the 'inside.'
• You don't have to use terrycloth; I like it because it's durable and easy to wash. Just turn inside out to remove all the cedar chips and toss in the washer.

Resources

• Terry cloth by the yard
• Pico textiles, more great prices and selections

[writecornertips]

on 4/26/2009 Love this tip! I'm sure my dogs would love one of these for their "porch sleeping" afternoons!

[syriusas]

on 3/16/2009 Thanks for these directions!! I was pricing dog beds for my 3 Boxers and they were extremely expensive ($50 and up~) This is a much better idea! 5*