dog and cat crates blankets
 

I have a question regarding making these for the humane society here where we live. I have their permission, and crate sizes. I also have alot of flannel and fleece I bought on sale for them. I have alot of cotton scraps I can use too. My question is for those that have done this, do you just make them like a receiving blanket, and secure the edges, or do you use 2 layers of material? The Executive Director, said she would rather have the blankets for the crates, colorful ones, I guess for the attention of people looking for a small pet. I also am going to make some for the large dogs, that are not in crates. She said I could if I want to, but said it doesn't get cold in there. I know all the concrete and ceramic tiles, has to be cold on them. Thanks for any help...and if anyone has photos, they would be much appreciated if you would post them.

I have 3 dogs and I made quilts for each of their crates. Nothing fancy just some material I had too much of. I took the measurements. I made them similar to a baby blanket MISSOURI STAR QUILT COMPANY has a tutorial on. I just used an old piece of knit fabric that I had enough for all 3. After I turned it inside out then I made wide cross hatch to stabilize it. They seem to like it because they always rearrange them in their crates/kennels. I made some for a friend who fosters animals until adoption. I use the fabric I really know I won't use and the batting can just be another ugly piece or pieces. The blanket tutorial is the way to go for me. My foster friend likes the size because she washes them everyother day and she can get quite a few into her washer. I've gotten fabric from some of the big box stores that often have up to 90% of bolts. Most of these bolts are 42" across and that is the average of the larger kennels in length so that's pretty good per yard. 90% off some of these ugly bolts can be $1.00 a yard and for $10.00 for 10 yards that isn't bad. old sheets work good too!

thanks...what do you mean by "the big box stores"? I would love to get some of that deal. So you do use 2 pieces of fabric? I saw the tut MSQC did for those, and I liked it. I thought one side flannel, fr cooler days, and the other side cotton, for warm days.

This year I started making dog beds for our local Humane Shelter. They only have 12 kennels, but I have given them 36 so far this year due to chewing and tearing, and hopefully going with them to their forever home. Two quilt guilds give me scraps for stuffing. Ladies also donate larger pieces to make the pillows. I've stopped at a local upholstery shop also. I mainly go by the size of the larger pieces. So they do not have to be the exact measurements. I fold the outside fabric over and sew up three sides (round the corners ... easier to turn) leaving a hole to pull the fabric inside out as in pillow cases. (The Humane Shelter has a large front loader and can just throw them in.) Stuff them. Zig Zag hole shut. I don't care if it doesn't get cold in there, they need something soft to lie on. How many of us do not buy our fur babies beds to sleep on in our homes. Trying to upload picture with no immediate success. Enjoy making those fur babies soft pillows to sleep on.
Picture attachment successful. In the lower left is a small dark blue pillow. The larger pillows are about the largest the kennel will accept. This group is mainly outdoor/canvus fabric. The animal print is soft and cozy. The green and white is not a dog pillow.

I take scraps and just randomly sew them til I get a big enough piece to use in a sandwich...upon which I practice my FMQ.

I have made over 100 for the NH HUMANE SOCIETY and they were very grateful for them. I used cotton (animal fabric) warm and natural for filler and flannel on the back. Did crosshatch quilting. I made all different sizes (for cats and dogs.). Thank you for being so kind to our pet friends.

What I made for my poodle's crate were towels. I had some older towels.. I folded them in half and half again. I zigzagged them with my old singer. They wash and dry up very well. They last for years also.

I watch for flannel pillow cases at the thrift, goodwill, etc. stores or if lucky the flannel sheets..stuff with cotton scraps. left over stuffing, or at my thrift store they put clothes on sales for 50 cents sometimes and I grab them and cut the up for stuffing..I also practice my FMQ on these items...I'm also like " theseabreze" I do make the large size for the large dogs sleeping on the concrete floors during winter, just not real big, so that they can wash in a reg. washer...love the pets.

I save every smidgen of my scraps, threads, batting and take them to a lady in our guild who makes beds. I have several friends who save them for me to take to her. When I find fabrics at the quilt store, I buy those and give them to her also. It makes me know that every bit of my $10-$11 a yard fabric goes to use and not to the landfill.

I made this one by leaving one side unsewn then sewing channels down towards the unsewn side. I stuffed them with my fabric and thread bits but you can also use all those plastic shopping bags we accumulate. This was made to lay on the floor for a big dog and she loves it. You could use colorful fabric, make them crate size and just put a small amount of stuffing in the channels to make them extra comfy.

I really like that idea.

Check with thrift stores. DM made denim purses and was given a large box of jeans that they had too many to stock. You can always find some good fabric from even well-worn jeans. I did a large throw for our Golden Retriever in his 'igloo' dog house and used old blanket for lining.

Regarding a pet bed. We have 2 large dogs. Neither care about a warm place to lay. They prefer a cold floor. One dog
is a Malimute Husky , the other is a Black Lab. I used left over denium. Even putting some together to make the bed
big enough. It is washable and also I'm able to vacuum it well if needed. Hair doesn't stick to it as much as it would either
fleece or flannel. Not to speak about little critters that could be in the pet bed.

Loving our pets in NNY

Could I ask what the approximate size of this mat is?

Could you show us what you mean that you sewed down channels on the unsewn side.?

I have made several for the shelter close to me. All these 4 legged creatures of God needs something soft to lay on & hope the kitties/cats can take to their forever homes. I just used up scrap strips (made l-i-t-t-l-e dent). Made them different sizes..
Thanks to all who care so much!!!

That sewing channels reminds me of an article I read just a couple days ago on a charity site - - - they were using covers made with channels with autistic children - the flexibility of the channels fitting around their bodies gave them a "secure" feeling and they were finding success in this idea.

Marysewfun

I use to make these all the time when I fostered. I used whatever batting I had left over and then found mattress covers at a yard sale. I cut those up to use for the inside. I used scraps of what ever fabric I had just sewed all three layers together and turned and stitched around the edges and then cross hatched. Washable , used up scraps etc. It never took very long to do and it was good for cleaning out scraps of things and for days when I needed something mindless to do.

I have four rescue dogs and I have made quilts for their dog beds...I had bought two big bags of fleece scraps from a local thrift store and used them to make the quilts..They are soft warm and cuddly as well as a pretty covering for their beds which are lined up in the living room in from of the fireplace..,,Bless you for helping our furry friends...

I use an old pillow case and fill 3/4 full of scraps. Sew the end shut. Then sew in channels if you want to. My 10 pond dog loves to rearrange the pillow before laying on it, so I don't put in channels.

If I give one away, I put another pillow case on it or make a cover out of old bath towels.
When i need a bigger pillow i use old bed sheets and cut to size. All the animals love them.

I can put everything in the washer and dryer.

I made a bunch for our local shelter, I got flannel on sale at Joann's to make really large ones because they said a lot of the big dogs dont get many. They asked to keep them not too fat, so i did flannel, batting and either more flannel or fleece. I also quilted them fairly heavy because they get a lot of wear and tear in the washing machines. And I sealed each one with lots of love and a prayer they find a safe and loving home.

I made nice beds for our 4 dogs too and only the little cock a poo sleeps on it. The other 3 will leave their nice soft pretty beds and go down and sleep on the concrete floor in the basement. I think they like the cool cement even though the air conditioning is on upstairs. Hopefully they'll appreciate them this winter.

great info, pics and ideas

Be careful with knit fabrics, some dogs have longer claws and they may get snagged in them, otherwise, use whatever you have, I have used very inexpensive fabric and even found comforters, sheets, towels etc, at yard sale and thrift stores to use

bee3, I love your ideas...same as mine. Thanks for replying. I think I will make one side flannel, and the other cotton, one side for cold and one for hot days. Thanks to all that replyed. It helps me alot. Now, to get started on them...