Hey everyone. Today we're making a soft, washable pet bed your dog or cat will claim in five minutes flat.
Let's start with the fabric, y'all. This is the 2 yd Luxe Cuddle Cut Hide Juniper. It comes as a 2-yard cut. That is plenty for this project, with leftovers too.
It is a Luxe Cuddle fabric. Folks also call this family minky. Run your hand across it once. You will feel that plush, cozy hand right away. Super duper soft.
The colorway here is Hide Juniper. It does not need a busy print to stand out. The color and that plush texture do the work. Just like that.
The Project: A Cozy Pet Bed
Our bed finishes at about 24 inches by 18 inches. That is a sweet size for a small dog or a cat. It fits nicely in a crate, too. Or in that sunny corner they love.
Want it bigger? Cut it at 30 inches by 22 inches for a medium dog. You still have fabric to spare. Completely up to you.
Why does this fabric suit a pet bed so well? A pet bed lives on touch. This Luxe Cuddle feels warm and welcoming right away. Pets burrow right into that pile. And that pile is forgiving, too. It hides little wobbles in your stitching. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Materials
- Your 2 yd Luxe Cuddle Cut Hide Juniper — you will use about a 25 inch by 19 inch piece for the top, and the same size for the bottom
- Polyester fiber fill, about 12 to 16 ounces for the small size, or a 24 inch by 18 inch piece of foam or batting pad, about 1 inch thick
- 50-weight polyester thread to match
- A 90/14 ballpoint or stretch needle
- Wonder clips or long pins — plush likes to shift as you sew
- Walking foot for your machine, if you have one
- Sharp scissors or a rotary cutter, a marking tool, and a point turner
- A hand-sewing needle for closing the opening, if you prefer a hidden finish
Brief Steps
Here we go. First, shake your cut outside before you cut it. Cut Cuddle makes a little snowstorm, folks. A good shake first saves your sewing room later.
Second, lay the fabric flat on a big table. Stroke it with your hand to find the smooth direction. You want both pieces running the same way. Mark and cut your top and bottom pieces to size.
Third, place the two pieces right sides together. Clip all the way around. Place clips every 1 to 2 inches. This fabric creeps, so give it nowhere to go.
Fourth, sew around all four sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Set your stitch length to about 3.0 mm. That is roughly 8 to 10 stitches per inch. Leave a 5-inch opening on one side for turning and stuffing. Slow down at the corners, or the layers will shift on you.
Fifth, trim the corners at an angle. Be careful not to clip your stitches. Turn the bed right side out through that opening. Push the corners out gently with your point turner.
Sixth, add your fill in small handfuls. Spread it even, corner to corner. If you use a pad, slide it in flat. You want it plump, not lumpy.
Seventh, tuck the raw edges of the opening inside. Clip it closed. Topstitch it shut, or hand-stitch it closed. Give the bed a good fluff. Alrighty, you are done.
Practical Tips
I will be honest with you. My first pet bed shifted on me. One side wandered while I sewed. Oh my goodness, what a lesson. I learned to clip more than I thought I needed. And to let the walking foot do the feeding. Do not pull this fabric through the machine.
Keep a lint roller by your machine, too. You will need it. And keep your seam allowance honest. A full 1/2-inch seam is your friend on plush. A tiny seam can pull loose when a pet kneads and digs in.
Use your leftover Cuddle for a small matching mat. I prefer one bed for the crate and one for the living room. Completely up to you.
Here is your permission beat, friends. Your pet bed does not have to be perfect. A slightly wavy edge will not matter one bit. You're your own worst critic. Your pet will just feel warm and cozy. Take your time. It's not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Thanks so much for spending a little time with me today. Make one for your best little friend. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the 2 yd Luxe Cuddle Cut Hide Juniper at Linda's Electric Quilters.
