DIY Cat Hammock

A cat hammock is a great pet accessory.

Making a cat hammock is an excellent project to undertake by yourself or with your children. You will have made a comfy resting spot for your pet with only some basic supplies. As long as you have a sewing machine handy, the total cost for the project should be fairly low, and constructing the hammock will only take a couple of hours of your time.

Things You'll Need

• 1 bag high loft batting
• Scissors
• Pinking shears
• Bobbins
• Pins
• Ribbons
• Sewing machine
• Key ring hooks
• Pillowcase

Instructions

1. Turn a pillowcase inside out and lay it out on a flat surface on top of two layers of high loft batting.

2. Trim the batting all the way around. You want the batting to be a bit smaller than the pillowcase itself, but not by much.

3. Turn the pillowcase back out to its original orientation. Hold the batting in place while reversing the pillowcase so that the batting ends up on the inside of the case.

4. Sew the pillowcase shut with your sewing machine. Sew around the entire perimeter of the pillowcase a few inches from the edge--no more than 3 or 4 inches. Doing this will keep the batting secure in the washer.

5. Sew a design into the top of the pillowcase, if desired. This can be anything you want and will further secure the batting to the pillowcase.

6. Cut four 4-inch-long pieces of ribbon using pinking shears. These will be used to hang the hammock.

7. Fold each of the ribbons in half, creating a loop. Affix one loop to each of the four corners by sewing it to the pillowcase.

8. Hang the hammock in the cat's cage by sticking hooks through each of the loops and attaching them to the cat's cage or a pet carrier. If neither of those are an option, It can be hung from most wire structures--shelving, for instance--as long as the hooks can be attached just be sure the shelving can bear the cat's weight. If all else fails, or if your cat is not amenable to using the hammock, you can always lay it on the floor where it will still make a comfy bed, so at least your work will not go to waste.

References

• Irene Sheehy: Cat Hammocks