Dog Beds Stuffed with Scraps & Dog Bed Cover - Quick & FUN

Bennie loves it!  But, this one is for his cousin, Sheba.

 Dog Beds ready for delivery to the Humane Society.

Completed Dog Bed Cover

This dog bed cover fits a standard size pillow. It is stuffed with my scraps literally from the cutting table (the small ones that come from a rotary cutter and also from sergers).  I stuff pillowcases, serge or zigzag shut...and, deliver to our local Humane Society.  I don't know if all Humane Societies would have the same need, but the one in Bend loves these beds.  When I walk in with a pile of them I get a barrage of SMILES....can't beat that! Then I go visit the dogs! If you do this, you will be shocked how quickly you will be filling those pillowcases up! If you run out of old (but not threadbare) pillowcases, buy some for about a dollar at the thrift stores - then you are helping out 2 organizations!

Our Humane Society asks that there be no paper (from sewing patterns or otherwise) in the beds because the paper can light on fire in the extremely hot dryers that they use.  They don't care what kind of fabric is used.  I put in all my scraps, including interfacing scraps.  If I have a relatively large scrap (right?) I cut that up so it is small enough to mix easily with the other scraps.  Check with your Humane Society to see what are their needs and requirements.

COVER for Dog Beds: 
I used a Painter's Drop Cloth to make this bed cover - because it is a Christmas present for my grand-dog, so I thought I would make it extra special.  Of course, it is only the humans who notice the extra attention to sewing.  The dog just wants comfort and love. 

To make this cover for a dog bed - based on a standard size pillow insert of 20" x 26":
1.  From painter's cloth cut a piece 20" x 60".
2.  Serge or zigzag both short ends, and fold each back 1", zigzag or straight stitch. 
3.  Finish the edges of a fat quarter with serging (I like the rounded corner look.) or zigzag.  Or, you can use interfacing and applique as an alternate technique - Quiltsmart Quarter Circles would work for that!  (Quiltsmart Quarter Circles)

 4.  Place the center of the 26" side even with the center of the long piece - fold each in half to find those centers.  Pin the fat quarter to the long piece.
5.   Stitch around the edges of the fat quarter with a zigzag.  I am sensitive to a dog's nails getting caught in the stitching, so I make sure it is "nailed" down very well!

6.  Embellish if you wish with an embroidery or applique .  I drew a bone on the smooth side of a piece of interfacing. Place the interfacing rough (ruff!) side to the fabric right side.  Stitch on the line, trim leaving a narrow seam allowance, make a snip at the end of the bone interfacing, turn right side out through the snip.  Fuse where you wish to the dog bed, zigzag around.

7.  Fold the long panel WRONG sides in so that it is 26" long, overlapping the short ends.  Stitch through all thicknesses on each of the short ends.  Zigzag or serge to finish.  Turn right side out - give to a pup!
Depending on how active your dog is, you might want to put Velcro or a zipper on the back rather than the overlap.  As with anything for your dog, make sure it is safe for your dog - for example, if your dog shreds things, this might not be the bed for him.

If you liked this project for your dog, you might also like our "Placematties" which make darling placemats, and can be also made for your pup! (Click here for more info about Placematties.)

Enjoy,
Mattie