Handmade Dog Collars

A few months ago, I forget why... but probably because I couldn't find a dog collar that I liked for my pups, I decided to make some dog collars! Its pretty dang easy, too. AND, each collar is less than $2 to make!!

*If you watch for ribbon on clearance you can find it really cheap. Same for dog collars, I never spend more than one dollar on the collars or the ribbon.*

What you need: dog collar OR nylon, and all the hardware for the collar, ribbon, sewing machine.

*If you are using a pre-made dog collar* First, take off all excess ribbon/fabric and hardware so you have just the nylon. Melt the ends of the nylon so it doesn't fray.
*If you aren't using a pre-made collar, cut the nylon to the length that you need, I am making a medium to large collar and it is about 24inches long*

Measure and cut the ribbon to be about 2 inches longer than the nylon.

Fold the ribbon one inch over the edge of the nylon and sew.

Put your needle on your sewing machine all the way to the right. Sew along the edge of the ribbon on both sides.

Fold the extra fabric over the edge and sew. This is what it should look like ^

Attach the part of the buckle that "inserts into the other part", pull the fabric about an inch and a half through. And sew right along the buckle. (I know that doesn't sound very technical... oh well! Just take a look at the pictures it will better explain.)

Now, take the "metal hook part" (wow, I am awful at knowing the names of these parts! Sorry!) and push it all the way up against the seam you just sewed. And sew on the opposite side.

Put this "tightener" (see picture, I have no idea what to call this) on the collar. The put the side of the buckle "that doesn't insert" on the collar. Then put the collar through the "tightener" backwards (see picture). Sewing this is the hardest part!! Put the needle all the way to the right again. Hold the top part out of your way and sew.

And you are done!!

::What's Coming This Week::

I was busy crafting yesterday while the husband was working on the basement floor. Today I did the Breast Cancer 5k, and some grocery shopping, and still managed to get a little crafting in :-) I love it, it is so relaxing!

So here is what you *should* see this week:

I made my "W" today, way different than this one. It took FOREVER to may. Will post later tonight.

This last picture is of a chair I got for $7 at a yard sale!! I had been searching and searching for a chair for our bedroom, but as frugal as I am I didn't want to spend that much money on it. So I decided the cheapest way (and the only way) to get exactly what I wanted was to do it myself! I have partially finished this chair, I am hoping my hubby will help me finish it up next weekend!! :-)

--Felt Pillow--

You might have seen this pillow from my Inspiration post. I made it my way tonight! It came out great and I absolutely LOVE it!! Total cost, $1.20 for the felt.

What you need: An old pillow, or one you  like that you want to add a flower to. Some fabric. Felt. Scissors. Hot glue gun and glue sticks.

What to do:
Start by making the pillow case out of scrap fabric. You can also use an old pillow case that you don't use anymore. Cut the fabric, sew three sides, put pillow inside, sew the fourth side. Now on to the fun part.

There are three sizes of petals. 3inch, 2.5inch, and 2inch. I cut about 20 of each. Place them on the pillow as you go to make sure you have enough. Also, cut five 3inch circles. Once you get the petals how you like them, hot glue them to the pillow.

For the center, take the circles and fold them in half, then in half again and glue. Then glue the 5 "petals" together on the sides so they make a circle. Glue into the center, and your done!

Isn't it awesome and beautiful!? <3

Fabric Flowers

There are lots of tutorials on how to make fabric flowers, everyone has their own version. I made mine like this::
What you need
fabric scraps, sewing machine, button(optional), needle and thread
Total cost: Free! I had everything I needed!

What to do
The first piece of fabric I used was a scrap of a scarf from the zebra pillow I made. I cut the fabric 5inches wide and then i had two 23 inch pieces i sewed together to make one 46 inch piece.

Then, fold the fabric in half (now it will be 2.5 inches X 46 inches) and sew together.

Next, attach the two ends together by sticking one inside of the other, and sewing.

Then, take the needle, and double thread it. Tie a not in the end of it. Start weaving the needle in and out, all the way through. Pull the thread tight on both ends and tie in a knot.

I then made another, smaller, flower. I made this one 4 inches by 46 inches. Same thing as before.

After, I had both the flowers. I put the purple one on top of the zebra print one and added a button. So cute! I am going to make a few more and put them on my headboard! (Pictures of the headboard later)

What do you think?!?