Quilted Dog Bed

"Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job." - Franklin P. Jones

I realize that my latest posts have been centered on my dogs, but they're just so cute and I love making things for them. This is the last one for a while now :-)

Every Christmas, my older dog loves to stretch out on his back underneath the Christmas tree, and drift off to sleep with his paws in the air and his snout pointed towards the twinkling, bejeweled evergreen branches. This year, my family and I are hoping to give this slightly indecorous practice of his a seasonal touch. Hence the Christmas dog bed.

I made this using pre-quilted fabric sold by the yard at Jo-Ann's stores. It can be made in any color/theme desired.

You will need:

• about 1 to 2 yards of a pre-quilted fabric at least 48" wide, in the color/theme of your choice
• Embroidery floss in a complementing color (I used red for this, although it doesn't show up very well)
• Sewing thread in a color that matches/complements the fabric
• Scissors
• Sewing needles - one small and one large
• Microfiber filling (or pillow stuffing)

This bed is made using the same principle for making a pillow. Cut the fabric into the size dog bed you want and sew all but one edge together (this can be done on a sewing machine, to make it go faster). Fill the "pillow" with the stuffing, but don't make it too full - it should compress fairly easily. Be sure to get the stuffing pushed into all the corners. Sew the remaining edge together by hand, using the sewing thread and the smaller needle. Take the embroidery floss and separate three strands from the rest, and use these to thread the large needle. Tack the pillow in as many places as necessary (if a rectangle, six places; if a square, four places, etc.) using the needle and thread. Be sure to reinforce each tack by sewing over it multiple times.

Once finished, give to a favorite furry friend.

Waiting for Santa Claws :-)

Merry Christmas!