I recently started volunteering with a local animal rescue organization [subtle plug for ResQpaws here]. It’s hard to look beyond the fun I have playing with all of the dogs and brushing out the loving kitties coats, but when I can go beyond just being there for the animals, I try to do whatever I can.
So I hit up the local JoAnn’s store and bought some discount fleece fabric to make some small, cozy animal beds for these cold winter night. They’re easy to make and you can throw some together in a flash! Here’s how…
Cut 2 rectangle pieces of fleece. I had 2 yards of fabric so I simply kept cutting the fleece in half until it was in manageable sizes. I was able to make 8 beds out of 2 yards of fabric (cut into 16 rectangles) and one bag of filling (I used Christmas “snow sheets” I got on clearance). All supplies cost me about $13.
Pin the pieces together. If it is one-sided fabric, pin the pattern sides facing each other.
Because this does not have to be perfect, I pin the fabric about an inch in from the edge so I can just sew straight around the pins and pull them out later.
Sew around three sides of the rectangle.
I sew all four corners and leave the gap in the center of the fourth side (left edge in the photo; notice that the stitching stops).
Flip inside out and stuff until soft and fluffy!
Sew remaining edge (I just stitch through all layers of fabric, no need to be fancy).
And there you have it… eight cozy beds to keep the shelter animals warm all winter. I was able to get these done before lunch!
Make a few and donate them to a shelter in your area!
~Christina~