Dog basket DIY

How comfy does little Kermit look in his new basket? He seriously hasn't slept in anything else since I made this up-cycled duvet bed for him, sort of missing my sofa cuddles ;)

My local animal rescue centre got in touch with my stitch&bitch group wondering if people with sewing machines could turn donated duvets and fabric into baskets for their rescue dogs. So I thought I would come up with a very easy pattern for a comfy dog bed. The easiest way would be to make a pillow case for a folded up duvet and create a rectangular flat bed but a lot of dogs, especially the smaller breeds like to snuggle into the sides of a standard basket. They are not hard at all to make, have a look at the video to see how you can create your own.

Super easy right? It would take you around two hours to make a medium sized basket like this one for Kermit. You can adapt your design to fit any dog size. I would however suggest you use a synthetic duvet instead of the down one that I used as those little feathers went everywhere!! Kermit thinks it's the comfiest basket ever so might have been all worth it but if you have allergies definately go for the synthetic or wool duvets and blankets.

Small video recap: To make this medium sized basket, perfect for a small terrier, you need a nice patterned cotton fabric, two pieces of 30x40cm. One piece of a sturdy fabric 30x40cm and one long piece of fabric 130cm and 40cm wide. To determine this length, 130cm, it is the sum of the sides +back+front pieces. I made the front pieces 15cm each, sort of 1/3 of the total width, you can play around with these measurements. Cut all your fabric with a 2cm seam allowance. (Watch the video to see how you determine the size you need for your dog)

Sew together the two smaller pieces right sides facing, leaving a ten cm gap open so you can turn the fabric the right way around, suff the pillow and hand sew the opening closed. Sew the long side and one of the short sides of your long pieces of fabric together, right sides facing. Turn the right way round and make little marks where you will stitch the corners, for me that is on 15cm from the edge, then 30cm away from the 1st mark, then 40cm further and another 30cm away. Stuff till the first mark and sew a straight line on the mark with your machine. keep doing this until the whole rectangular shape is stuffed. Stitch the end closed. Line the middle of your large piece up to the sturdy piece of fabric and hand stitch it. Fold over the on the corners and keep stitching until you finished your whole basket. Place the cushion in the middle and you are done!

If you have a few hours spare and have a duvet, comforter or blanket lying around transform it into a dog bed and donate them to your local shelter, they would be very thankful!

Hester's Handmade Home is nominated for an Amara Interior Blog Award and to get shortlisted in the best Crafts&DIY section I need your vote, it would mean the world to me if you could click this link and vote for me. http://www.interiorblogawards.com/vote/hesters-handmade-home Thank you so much!!!

I'll be back next week with a new video see you then!

xx Hester

This up-cycled duvet dog basket tutorial first appeared here on www.hestershandmadehome.com, video and photo's by Hester van Overbeek please don't use without permission