How to Sew & Stuff a Dog Pillow
by Kathryn Hatter
BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
Pamper your pooch by sewing a special dog pillow using a brightly colored or patterned fabric. Your dog will reward your efforts by snuggling down in the soft comfort of this bed made especially for them. Even a person with limited sewing skills can easily sew the straight lines necessary to make a dog pillow.
Determine what size dog pillow you want to make and cut two fabric rectangles in the dimensions you decide. A small dog pillow could be approximately 21 inches by 16 inches, a medium pillow would be 29 inches by 22 inches, large would be 34 inches by 29 inches and extra large would be 39 inches by 33 inches (a 1-inch seam allowance is included in each dimension).
Place the two fabric rectangles together with the right sides facing each other. Match up the corners and sides and pin the two rectangles together to secure the pieces.
Begin stitching the pillow together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance 3 inches away from one corner. Stop stitching when you are 1/2 inch away from the edge of the corner and pivot the sewing machine needle 90 degrees to turn the corner. Continue stitching around three sides and three corners. Stop stitching 3 inches after the last corner. Remove the pillow from the sewing machine.
Fold over 1/2 inch of both the top and bottom fabric of the pillow along the opening. Iron these folds to create a finished edge along the opening.
Turn the dog pillow right side out through the opening you didn't sew. Pull each corner out to make a sharp corner.
Fill the dog pillow with fiberfill until it is as firm or as soft as you want. Make sure the fiberfill reaches into all four corners.
Thread the needle with a 15-inch length of double thread. Hand stitch the opening closed with the needle and thread using a whip stitch.
Items You Will Need
- Sturdy fabric, 1 yard
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Pins
- Sewing machine
- Matching thread
- Iron
- Fiberfill
- Hand sewing needle
Tip
- Some dog owners may prefer to stuff the dog pillow with a different material. Cedar chips, shredded newspaper and small rodent bedding are all other options for filling the dog pillow.
Photo Credits
- BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
About the Author
Kathryn Hatter is a veteran home-school educator, as well as an accomplished gardener, quilter, crocheter, cook, decorator and digital graphics creator. As a regular contributor to Natural News, many of Hatter's Internet publications focus on natural health and parenting. Hatter has also had publication on home improvement websites such as Redbeacon.