Scraps For Pet Bed Stuffing-What Size
 

I know I can use fabric scraps for pet bed stuffing (I saw the video too). Since I have 6 toy dogs, including one 13 years old and one 5 year old who is totally blind from detached retinas and Glaucoma, I wash pet beds a lot. My no-sew fleece beds I made a few years ago have lost most of their loft and clump terribly when laundered.

I have some pretty much unused king flannel pillow cases and a ton of my DH well worn clothes that no longer fit him that were on their way to the trash can. I want to use the clothes for the pet bed stuffing.

My question is if it would be better for the pieces to be cut big or small strips and if so, HOW small. I don't want them to get tangled and knotted when washed. One of my local thrift stores sells a huge trash bag of freshly laundered clothing that is too worn to be sold. I think that once my stuff is used up, it would be a very cheap way to get stuffing perhaps some cool buttons too.

Thanks in advance,
Louise

I don't use large scraps in my pet beds. The larger scraps tend to bunch up. When I have scraps I cut through them randomly with my rotary cutter. For the larger beds you might consider sewing down the middle of the completed bed so the scraps don't bunch to one side when laundered.

I agree with Nammie. For stuffing I use the selvages and similarly sized strips. I've never tried larger pieces, but I imagine Nammie's right about the bunching. By having smaller bits it will be easier to re-shape when it comes out of the dryer. I also overstuff the stuffed animals & floor pillows I make as they quickly start to flatten out after first wash. I've never made a pet bed, but I assume it's similar to a floor pillow & know the shelter by me asks for no wider than 1" strips.

I prefer doing small strips. I usually cut anything big into 1" strips. Have you thought of making "pillowcase" covers for the beds that you can take off to wash with snaps or Velcro? Then all you would have to do is wash the "pillowcase". Just an idea. Make the "pillowcase" out of fleece.

Cut small pieces and when the case is stuffed and the end sewed, put in a few ties with strong thread to keep the filling from clumping. Like tufting that is done on pillows. Use a long upholstery needle to run the thread through the pillow.

It takes forever for a stuffed with scraps pillow to dry, please keep that in mind. They can get really musty because the middle stays damp. Pet shelters throw them away after the dogs have used them, take way too long for them to dry properly.

I'd suggest more fleece, maybe 4 layers and quilt them down in a simple squares or crosses pattern. Wash well, dry like the wind.

I made one of these for my dogs but they didn't like it. Now I just toss the selvages and trimmings.

How do you get pet hair out of fleece? I have a very long-haired cat and it seems to really stick tight to that fleece.

I'm with the others, I was happily saving scraps, put into pillowcase, sewed shut. And the dogs did like them, but washing and drying was a nightmare. Perhaps stuffing with poly batting scraps?? But I don't use poly?? What to do? I ended up cutting into 2.5" squares and tossed the rest.

I use fleece for my cat's blanket, yes the hairs stick permanently. I just cut the fleece the size I need for the inside of his bed and sew it to and old pillowcase so that it is reversible. Once the fleece side is all hairy I turn it inside out and use the other side of the fleece. When that side is all hairy I just toss it. I always stock up big time when JoAnn's has fleece on sale, which reminds me it's on sale right now.

I made some pet beds stuffed with scraps. I sewed large channels end to end in my pillowcases to prevent the 'smooshed to sides-flat in the middle' syndrome. It's a little more difficult to stuff, but works well. I can see how they would take a long time to dry. I donated them to the local animal shelter.

our little sewing crew combines all the crumbs and batting pieces and puts them in pillowcases. Batting might need to be chopped up some so it doesn't bunch. Sew the end shut and make a case with flannel or fleece so it washes. Our animal shelter likes them- don't overstuff...our local vet also uses them for after surgeries, she likes them as well, and washes them, they last for a bit- always willing to take more!

I don't use fleece at all. Just good old sheet material scraps. fabric that hair washes out easily. I keep the fabric for the doggie beds separate from the other fabric. When I wash it after getting home, I use unscented dryer sheets. This helps any static cling that attracts animal hair.