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Has anyone ever made their own kitty bed?

post #1 of 11
10/17/10 at 10:04pm
Thread Starter 
I've got a bunch of extra fabric that would be super cute cat beds. I can't afford to buy any already made right now but I think my cats would really love the kind with the half cover, like these
http://www.petco.com/product/108004/...t-in-Sage.aspx
Does anyone know how to make them? I tried once but never could figure out how to get the top to stay up. There must be some kind of wire or something to keep it from just flopping down.
Also interested in tips on any other kind of DIY kitty bed, if anyone's done it, I figure a regular round one shouldn't be too hard
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post #2 of 11
10/18/10 at 7:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MonaxLisa View Post
I tried once but never could figure out how to get the top to stay up. There must be some kind of wire or something to keep it from just flopping down.
It's a thicker fabric and probably has a bit of foam in it.

What are your sewing skills? What have you made before?


And I've made fancy beds before. I've since discovered they like our old pillows just as well - if not better since it has our smell on it.
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post #3 of 11
10/18/10 at 8:41am
I went to Jo Ann fabrics or any place that sells patterns. In the pattern catalogs, like McCalls, Vogue, Simplicity, there are sections on things for pets. Some nice cat bed patterns.

I always thought if I got good at making them, I could donate them for auctions that the local rescues have every now and then.

I bet you could go on those pattern sites above and find some info.
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post #4 of 11
10/18/10 at 9:00am
If you use wire to hold up the top section, you can't wash it in your washing machine. I would recommend filling it with 1 of 2 materials: foam rubber (which if used cannot really be dried except on ultra low), or a product called NuFoam (get at least 1" thick). I like NuFoam because it is completely machine washable. You can find it in most chain fabric stores (Hancock, JoAnn, etc), and if you use this material, buy it by the yard out of the boxes - don't bother with the square forms (they are a lot more expensive).

Yes, I make cat beds. Take a peek at my site for ideas. PM me if you run into problems.
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post #5 of 11
10/18/10 at 12:46pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys! My sewing skills are..umm...wait, sewing skills?
I sewed backing on my curtains and patched up the torn dog toys but I think that's about it.
I never thought of using foam, great idea!
momofmany- love your stuff! The fabric paterns for the cat beds you have is so cute!
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post #6 of 11
10/18/10 at 3:59pm
Either go buy a pattern, then, or start simple and make pillow type beds.

Do you have a sewing machine? Hand sewing isn't impossible, but you'd probably get bored and worn out quickly. If you do have a machine and really want to pursue making various simple projects I suggest you either read up as much as you can (online and from books) on basic sewing skills, machine sewing, picking fabrics, etc. Or see if there's a cheap or free class offered locally.

While it seems straight forward, something as simple as fabric will make this easier or harder for you. I don't suggest working in thick or slippery fabrics until you have a bit of experience in lighter ones, especially on a sewing machine.

And, before you start up a project like this, if you don't have good sewing supplies you need to buy them. (which would be covered by reading up or in a class)
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post #7 of 11
10/18/10 at 5:37pm
I bought a bunch of really high quality beds, placed strategically throughout the house... rarely used.

Got a really soft fluffy blanket for myself, and found shortly thats all they lay on. Just throw it in a corner, a little bunched up, and you have to peel them off it.

So IMO I wouldn't put too much effort into a bed.
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post #8 of 11
10/18/10 at 6:28pm
I make self warming cat beds:



My cats love them, and kitty friends I have given them to love them, too.

I use the inexpensive fleece blankets that are always available this time of year in grocery stores, I used to stuff them with the insides of retired pillows but ran out of those a couple years ago so have to buy the stuffing now.

I use space blanket material inside to make them selfwarming:



They are hand sewn.

I'm just finishing one that's a bit different, specially for a friend's new kitty. I couldn't find the plaid side in colors I wanted so had to create my own. I wanted baby blue for the solid side ( had that already) and a pink, cream and blue plaid for the pattern side.

Instead I used a solid pink and a solid cream, and braided strips of pink blue and cream. I couldn't find the cream either, so asked my friend if she minded if I used part of a blankie that belonged to my Ootay

I made one for my cats first, using green, pink and cream, to work out the kinks, but haven't stuffed it yet.

So this is the Ootay Memorial Bed made expressly for a special friend's special new kitty (the last side hasn't been sewn yet, and so it's not quite smoothed out):

Front:


back


Queen Eva modeling the bed


.
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post #9 of 11
10/18/10 at 8:53pm
Thread Starter 
Otto I love the braided bed! What a great idea! Also like the space blanket idea! Do they wash ok with that in them?
I don't have a sewing machine, so it'll be slow going, but I think the kitties will like it. They use the beds they have now so it's not like they need new ones, but I just thought it'd be fun
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post #10 of 11
10/19/10 at 4:15am
Thanks! It is fun!

It does take a long time to make one bed because I have arthritis in my hands and wrists and can only sew for an hour or less at a time. I sew while watching a movie or other video, to keep myself distracted, so I usually have three or four cats piled on top of me while sewing, too.

The beds are washable at a gentle cold setting, but they cannot be dried in the dryer. The space blanket lining does slow drying time, air drying takes about 24 hours.
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post #11 of 11
10/19/10 at 2:52pm
I wish you luck in making the beds. I'm not talented in sewing skills and my cats don't use the beds I have now - and its different kinds/shapes.
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