How to Make a Patchwork Dog Bed
Patchwork, sewing pieces of cloth together to create a larger piece of fabric, is a long-time favorite of crafters. Although patchwork seems to be used most often with quilting, it is not necessary to quilt a patchworked item after it has been pieced together. Consider leaving the patchwork top plain, letting the colors and patterns of the pieces speak for themselves, or add an embroidered applique design to the panels for extra visual appeal.
Things You'll Need
- Plastic ruler
- Plastic for template
- Scissors or utility knife
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Fabric in different colors and patterns
- Side fabric
- 3 yards backing fabric
- Fiberfill
- Hand needle
- Thread
Instructions
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1
Create the block template by measuring an 11-inch square on the plastic template and cutting out the plastic square with scissors or a utility knife. Go slowly to ensure accuracy. The top of the bed will consist of 12 10-inch blocks sewn together with a half-inch seam allowance on all sides.
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2
Cut the blocks by laying the fabric on the cutting mat, setting the plastic template on top and cutting the squares with a rotary cutter equipped with a new blade.
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3
Pin the blocks together on one side of the seam allowance, right sides together, to create four vertical rows of four blocks each. Sew each block together within the seam allowance so each block is 10 inches square. Press all of the seams open with an iron.
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4
Pin each row of four blocks to the other, right sides together, using the half-inch seam allowance. Sew the rows, right sides together, making sure the seam is on the seam allowance. Press the seams open with an iron.
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5
Cut the four pieces of fabric for the sides. Make sure each one measures 5 inches wide and two measure 31 inches long and the other two measure 41 inches long. The side pieces can be pieced together to get the length, if necessary. Sew the side pieces to each other, right sides together, to make one long piece. Press the seams.
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6
Pin the side piece onto the top, right sides together, using a half-inch seam allowance on all sides. Sew the side piece onto the top piece. Press the seams open.
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7
Cut the backing fabric 41 inches long by 31 inches wide, allowing a half inch on all sides for the seam allowance. Pin the backing fabric, right sides together, onto the top and side pieces. Sew the long seam, right sides together, leaving a 12-inch gap on one side.
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8
Pull the bed through the hole so the right side is out. Stuff the opening with fiberfill until the bed is full or at the desired fullness. Sew the opening closed using a needle and thread.
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Tips & Warnings
The finished bed will measure 40-by-30-by-4 inches.
Many fabric stores stock different colors and styles of quilter's cotton. Stick with these fabrics when deciding what fabric to buy. Pre-wash the fabric. How much yardage to buy for the top depends on how many different squares you want. For 12 different squares, buy 12 different fat quarters, which measure 18-by-22 inches with the patchworked block measuring 11 inches square. In general, bolts of quilter's cotton measure 44 or 45 inches wide and if a yard is 36 inches long, you can get three 11-inch blocks from one yard.
The patchwork top is sewn row by row. The blocks in each row are sewn together first, then the rows are sewn to each other.
The bed cannot be laundered. To make a removable top, sew a plain cotton covering for the fiberfill and create the patchwork top, adding a zipper that runs the length of one of the long sides to slide the stuffing-filled cover inside. To make the zipper, add a half-inch seam allowance to the side fabric where the zipper will go to accommodate the zipper seam.
