Last year we posted about turning an old sweater into a pet bed, and while I still love that project, it isn’t really useful for people who have larger pets (like a medium or large-sized dog.) Even using the largest sweater you can find, you’d still end up with a pet bed that could only accommodate a small dog or cat. So while my daughter Britta’s cat, Katara, got a comfy new sweater bed, my daughter-in-law Kaitlyn’s boxer, Milo, was sadly neglected.
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But not anymore! :-) We recently came across an equally simple method for making pet beds, except this one could be adapted to fit any size of pet. And this project requires absolutely no sewing, which I know is a major bonus for some people.
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Here’s how to make your own!
DIY No-Sew Pet Bed
You’ll need…
- Anti-pill fleece fabric
- Rotary cutter and cutting mat (or a sharp pair of scissors)
- Polyester fiber fill material
Start by determining how much fleece you’ll need. Here are some general recommendations based on pet size:
- 2 yards for a small bed
- 2 1/2 yards for a medium bed
- 3 yards for a large bed
Even if you want a more precisely-sized bed, just take some ballpark measurements, no need to be exact here. Just look at your pet when they’re laying in their favorite comfy position, take a general square-shaped measurement of how much space they’re taking up, then add about 6 inches to each side.
Cut your fleece into two pieces of the same size, according to whatever measurements you’re using. We used my grandpuppy Milo to make our pet bed, so we used the 2 1/2 yards of fabric recommended for a medium-sized bed.
Once you have your pieces of fleece cut out, lay one on top of the other, so you can cut through both pieces at the same time. Using your rotary cutter (or a sharp pair of scissors,) cut a 3″ x 3″ square out of each corner of your fabric.
Then make 3″ long cuts along the edges of the fleece, making strips about 1″ wide. Work your way around the edges until you come back to where you started.
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Next, take a pair of the fleece strips and tie them into a double knot (or square knot). Tie off your fleece strips along 3 of the sides of the pet bed. Then tie off strips along the final side, stopping about halfway.
Stuff your fill material through the opening until it reaches your desired fullness, then tie off the remaining fleece strips to close up the bed.
This project took a matter of minutes to complete, and as you can see, Milo took to his new bed immediately. So whether you’re making a pet bed out of an old sweater or a couple of pieces of fleece, your pet will be sitting pretty, and your wallet will be happy too! ;-)
I love this idea but I have a dog that thinks it is his job to remove stuffing from his beds and toys.
I have two dachshunds who love being covered. One knows how to cover himself, the other has no idea how to cover herself and in the process destroys her blankets. I use old pillows (mine or ones I’ve picked up at garage sales) for doggy beds that I have washed and dried. I also buy lots of pillow cases, preferably flannel and old flannel sheets at garage sales. I place two pillow cases on each pillow: one going one way and the other going the opposite way. Now They have a bed with a cover. I also sew pillow covers… Read more »
For those who don’t want to go to the “trouble” of making the cover, the craft.dtores usually jave fleece bla.ket “kits” with two pieces of coordinating fleece already.cut and a liner I believe. Buy the stuffing and voila! Admittedly this isn’t as inexpensive but…and it just dawned on me that this is a great holiday travel project. Planes can get chilly and knot while you fly, listening to an audio book. At the other end you have a completed gift and stayed cozy in the plane. We just flew to Houston for our son’s wedding and I had an audio… Read more »
Love this!
You can also use a used bed pillow any size of choice or firmness.I replace my bed pillows often because I wash them, so these would be just right for your pets as your scent will already be on the pillows and they will sleep better because they will pick up “your scent” even though the pillows are washed. I have three yorkies who would like nothing more than to sleep with me EVERY night, but the bed gets too crowded which then keeps me awake especially when one of them snores. Making the “cover” with the fleece is a… Read more »
Thanks for the ideas! I’m so glad you found the blog! :-)
Washable?
Yep! Just be sure that the knots are super secure, and then throw a tennis ball in the dryer with the bed. :-)
Great idea!!
What a wonderful idea, thanks for all the good things you bring to us!!
Love this idea. These would be great to make as TV pillows for the grand kids for Christmas too.
This is a great idea. It would have been for when I still had my kitty. I didn’t mess with ever getting her a pet bed. She loved to sleep in my room in cold weather in a basket by the heater or on my bed. In hotter months she would sleep in my parents room so she could be in the window. Due to my allergies I don’t dare open a window in hot weather. She weighed around 10 lbs so I’m sure even bigger cats would love this type of bed.