Tutorials
10.29.2022
When I grabbed the sample Cuddle Cuts we received at the Connecting Threads offices, I was so excited to test them out. My mind was a little lost with ideas on how to use them, so I scooped them up and brought them back to my apartment. After opening up a few of the packages and laying out the cuts on the floor, I still was struggling to think of how to show them off: a cuddly quilt or a plush pillowcase? I decided to take a lunch break to clear my head, but upon my return, I got a furry surprise: my dog, Roxie had zonked out all over the cuddle cuts on my studio floor. Thus, the idea for her plush dog bed was born!
There are two simple ways of making this pillow-y dog bed: with or without a pre-made dog bed insert. Let me walk you through both ways.
To make your pup’s new bed, you’ll:
- A dog bed (option #1)
- Stuffing (option #2)
- I used a combination of fabric scraps and polyfill
- Cuddle Cut of your choice
- Backing fabric
- I used our Little Vines Wide Backing.
- Closure of choice
- I used two types of closures: a zipper and velcro strips. Totally up to you, but velcro is the easiest option, especially if you hate installing zippers (like I do!).
To make a bed with a pre-made insert:
- Measure your bed insert. Roxie’s pillow bed was 33″ x 46″, but yours may vary. With the pillow-style bed, I added 1/4″ seam allowance on three sides, then an extra 1″ on the side where I added velcro. My final measurement came to 34 1/4″ x 46 1/2″.
- Cut out your fabric to your desired measurements – one piece of cuddle cuts and one piece of backing fabric.
- Placing right sides together, sew along three sides, leaving a short side open.
- Along the short side, sew on your velcro. I chose to add it across one whole short side, making it super easy to open and close for cleaning purposes!
- A tip for sewing on velcro: I had strip velcro, that I cut down into 5″ pieces. Then, I sewed those pieces along the open edge on the RIGHT SIDES of the fabric – that way, when you’ll fold over the right sides to connect the velcro, making for a cleaner closure. This is why we added the extra 1″ to one short side!
- Stuff your cover with the dog bed insert, velcro closed and voila! A super adorable, super soft, pillowy dog bed that your pup is going to adore!
To make a stuffed dog bed, the instructions are almost identical!
- Figure out the size of your bed. Both versions of Roxie’s bed were around 34″ x 46″ – she’s a medium to large dog and she likes her space, so it worked perfectly. You can choose any size or shape you like, from a basic rectangle to a cute little circle for smaller snugglers!
- If you’re unsure about sizing (for instance, if you’re making this for a friend’s dog and don’t have a sample bed at the ready), trying looking up dog bed sizes on PetSmart or Petco! You can search by dog size, from small to extra-large, and borrow measurements from the size you choose.
- Cut out your fabric to your desired measurements – one piece of cuddle cuts and one piece of backing fabric.
- Placing right sides together, sew along three sides, leaving a short side open.
- If you’re sewing on a zipper, follow the instructions on the zipper packaging. Never sewn a zipper before? We’ve got some fantastic instructions that you can follow here!
- If you’re using velcro, sew it along your short side. This makes it super easy to open and close for cleaning purposes!
- A tip for sewing on velcro: I had 1″ strip velcro, that I cut down into 5″ stripped pieces. Then, I sewed those pieces along the open edge on the RIGHT SIDES of the fabric – that way, when you’ll fold over the right sides to connect the velcro, making for a cleaner closure.
- Stuff your cover with the stuffing of your choice. I chose to use a big bag of fabric scraps along with polyfill stuffing – it’s a great way to use up those weirdly shaped scraps that can’t really be used in projects.
- A tip on stuffing: a lot of dogs don’t like a bed that’s stiff, as it’s hard to curl up on. Unlike a pillow you’d place on your sofa, which most people like nice and stuffed, under-stuff this bed a bit – that way, your pup can settle in without having to perch atop a tall, stiff pillow!
- Velcro or zipper closed and voila! A super adorable, super soft, pillow-y dog bed that your pup is going to adore!
Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram or Facebook with #togetherwequilt so we can see your adorable creations!
