Fido's Consolation Prize
Feeling guilty about banishing your poor pooch from his favorite chair? Whip up this simple, tres chic, washable dog bed and wish your dog a night of sweet doggie dreams.
What You'll Need:
Fake fur (comes in all kinds of animal patterns at your local fabric store)
One piece of 1" thick foam rubber
(Both of these materials are available at your local full-service craft or fabric store. Buy a piece of foam rubber that is big enough for your pet to sleep on comfortably. To figure out fabric yardage, double the area of the foam rubber and leave a few extra inches for seam allowances and a closure)
Sewing machine or hot glue gun
One yard of sew-on velcro
Cut two pieces of fake fur. Each one should be the same size as the piece of foam rubber with an extra 11/2" on three sides and 2 1/2" on the fourth side.
On each piece, fold the edge where you've left an extra 2 1/2" over 1 1/2". Inside the fold, the wrong sides of the fabric should be touching. Sew or hot glue this fold.
Sew or hot glue one side of the velcro strip to each folded over portion.
Line the two pieces of fabric on top of each other, furry sides touching and velcro ends on the same end. Sew or hot glue the three velcro-less sides, about a half inch in from the edge. See how it's like a pillow case? Turn it right-side out, insert the foam rubber, stick the velcro together and lay it in a nice spot on the floor.
Make one for each room of the house, so your dog can still be with you all the time, but it will be clear to both of you exactly where he stands. Or sheds, rather!
Extra Credit!
Some people actually save the fur that they brush off of their dog - especially the soft undercoat - spin it into yarn, and knit themselves a nice hat. I have seen such a hat, and it's not so bad. If you're interested, consult with folks at a serious yarn shop and see if they know a spinner who might be willing!
What do you think?
»Molly suggests making your own lint roller by spraying a rolling pin (or any other tool or utensil that rolls) with a spray adhesive like Photo Mount. It works great to pick up all the little hairs and anything else in its path!
