Painiacs

I too make stuff, get sheets from goodwill to use as backing! Ive picked up old blankets, LOVE the idea of one made out of scraps! What a great hobby you have chosen, like others and i do save all scraps, fill pillow cases i get those for 25 cents at thrift stores so if its thrown away after so many uses its a 25 cent pillow case n scraps. i have made covers for them though so they can remove cover and wash them for a bit . Have fun ! :-)

vickig626

I've started making pet beds for a local pet shelter too. The gal I work with actually placed an ad in their "freecycle" group asking for fabric donations (we have a lot here in MI - just google "freecycle" and your city). She did specify non-smoking homes. When she brought it to me, I was overwhelmed with 4 large plastic bags FULL of fabrics.

I sorted through what was usable for the outside part then what could be cut up for stuffing (like polyester or very thin fabrics to give you an idea). Then, I cut to various sizes and serge around the 3 sides, fill it up, serger it closed (or just hand stitch if it's too hard to handle under the serger). You can use any kind of thread to stitch closed.

As for washing.....I posed this question too. She said when the pet is adopted, they offer to send the bed with the pet. Or, once the bed gets to dirty to use, they just toss it.

Hope this helps. I really need to find more time to work on these since so many shelters need this. The only concern for some shelters is for those animals that like to chew or eat things so they find other beds for these little stinkers LOL

Atomicdog

I think you're so wonderful for doing this!!

Cindy

wendiq

I've always worried that the way dogs scratch at their bedding to "rearrange" it, that they will scratch a hole and then the scraps will be harmful. This is not a worry????

jetayre

Thanks everyone for the input...I think I am going to put fleece or flannel on one side and toweling on other. That will give them a warm side and even a towel side. I am starting tomorrow. Found some scrap fleece. Maybe I can do two or three.

slbram17

They should work up pretty easy for you. Again, it is very thoughtful and helpful to do this for the shelters.

vickig626

yes, the could be a problem but the shelters (at least the rescue / foster groups) are pretty good about knowing which ones dig and could do this. then they just give them blankets and not the stuffed kind.

I have a dachshund who are diggers. Chip has several stuffed beds but I make sure his are "loosely" stuffed so he can root around in it and get it comfy. so far, no problems.

The dachshund rescue group I know (where I got Chip) says she doesn't give her doxies beds if they tend to chew on things.

I was concerned about this too so did some research.

hope this helps.

wendiq

Thanks for your answer, Vicki G. I always have lots of scraps so guess I'd better start stuffing.....LOL!

Pat M.

I let my sewing group know that I was making dog/cat beds and then they donated fleece and cut up batting that was cut off of quilts after they were quilted. Sewed up the fleece into a pillow case style; started stuffing about 1/3 of the bed, then sewed across side to side, continued stuffing to about 1/3 again, sewed, and on last part stuffed and sewed the last seam.
The shelter loved them.

vickig626

you're very welcome. feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. I'll try to help. I love animals in general but helping these shelters and rescue groups has become a passion for me lately.

another item that foster groups really need are belly bands. this protects the homes from male dogs from marking. I'm trying to develop a good pattern since some (like my doxie) can slip out of them. these can be made from the bigger scraps.