My pets are like my children. They go where I go, sleep where I sleep, and want to be comfortable - just like me. But the pet beds available these days are ridiculously expensive and often either the wrong size or hideously unstylish. My girls are kennel trained and it is almost impossible to find pet beds to fit in the kennel properly. Also, my heeler likes to lay under tables/benches and I have yet to find a bed to fit in the space.

Not only is it easy to sew a simple pet bed pillow, it will save a TON of money! A yard of quality fleece fabric is between $8-$15. I bought 1 yd of $7 pink fleece dog print fabric, 1yd of $6 quilted black fabric and 2 bags of stuffing for $6. For $19 I was able to make an extra large pet bed, a pillow for the back of the kennel and enough fabric left over to make a large pillow for my heeler. So, for under $20, you can make 2 beds and a small pillow that will match your home decor and be filled to the specific comfort level of your pet (my girls like them less fluffy than those found in the store).

This is a quick and easy sewing project. Below are links to a few sewing lessons on youtube if you need more information about how to sew or specific stitches. Make a pillow to fit perfectly on a window sill for your cat. I made one to line the top of my paino for my cat. I suggest using thick, durable fabrics like fleece, quilted cotton, hemp, etc though I imagine almost any fabric will work.

For this project you will need fabric, needle and thread, straight pins, and stuffing (I use poly-fil). The amounts you need is dependent on the size bed you are wanting to make. For my large size kennel bed and back pillow, I used just over one bag of stuffing. If your pets like fluffier beds, get more stuffing.  

Step 1: Measure the area you would like to fit the bed. MEASURE TWICE CUT ONCE!!!! Be sure to add about an inch of fabric to make room to pin and sew (If you need 10"x10" cut 11"x11").

Step 2: With the patterned sides of the fabric facing each other, pin your two pieces of fabric together (inside out so your sewing is hidden).

Step 3: Sew 3 1/2 of the sides, leaving an area unsewn to allow to turn right-side-out and stuff. I sew by hand a use a simple overlapping straight stitch. Take out straight pins as you go.

Step 4: Before I turn my fabric right-side-out, I attach my needle and thread to close the opening left for stuffing. When I turn the fabric right-side-out, pull the thread to the outside and stick in the seam (out of the way).

Step 5: Stuff the pillow to the liking of your four-legged friend and pin the opening to make sewing easier.

Step 6: Use a hidden stitch or whip stitch to close the pillow. Remove the rest of the pins and you're done!

There are two easy varieties of cat scratching posts that I know how to make: the traditional freestanding post on a base and a scratcher that hangs on the door handle (or leans against the wall). Both start with very simple materials: a few pieces of wood and a sturdy rope. The rope I choose is natural jute or sisal, though I'm sure hemp would work. I have used carpet on a freestanding post, which makes the project much quicker (and replacing the carpet is much easier than replacing the rope when your cat has worn it out). You can make your own catnip spray or get some from your local pet store to entice you cat to play with the scratchers. I live in the country and put scratchers outside for my 'yard cats' to help deter them from using my trees!

Freestanding Cat Scratching Post

• For the base: Choose a base size depending on the size of the post you choose. If you choose a 4"x4" post, use an 8"x8" square for the base. This is not an exact science. just make sure the base is big enough to keep the post upright while your cat is enjoying the new toy. Any kind of wood will work for the base as long as it is sturdy.
• For the post: Choose what you like - round or square willl work. I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than a 4x4. Make sure that it is tall enough for your cat to stretch (at least 2 1/2 feet) as they scratch. Several varieties are available at local hardware stores.
• If you live in an apartment or don't have tools, the hardware store will usually cut your wood to size for you.
• Carpet or Sisal Rope
• heavy duty staple gun (if you don't have this, you can use a hammer and nails
• 4 - 1 inch nails (to attach the post to the base)

Before I begin, I like to cover the base and post with paint or fabric that will compliment the room where the post will be housed. If you use fabric on the base, make sure that the base stays level. Your cat will not like if the post is unsteady!! Use hot glue and rub the fabric smooth or use staples and hammer them flat.

Take the post and attach the rope to the bottom with a staple or nail.Now connect the post to the base.

To connect the post to the base, find the middle of the base by drawing an X with a pencil from corner to corner. I use string because I've already decorated the base and use a permanent market to indicate the very center with a dot.

Place the top of the post on the floor and center the base on the post. Insert the 1 inch nails in the bottom of the base. Use 4 nails to make sure it is secure, Turn over to finish wrapping the post.

Now begin to wrap your post. Keep rope tight and every few rotations use a scrap of wood and a hammer to press the rope together. Hold rope tight as you compress it. Continue until you reach the top of the post and connect with a staple or nail to the top of the post.

If you use carpet, cut to size and and staple one edge of the carpet to the post. Wrap the post tightly and staple the other end to the post. When using carpet, I use glue to hold the carpet tight to the post. Use a hammer to flatten staples completely and then connect to base.

Spray with catnip spray and place in an area your cat enjoys playing and you are finished!

Hanging Cat Scratcher

For this one I use a 1"x6" board about 2 1/2 ft long. I start by painting. If I am covering with fabric, I drill the 2 holes before covering or use the sraple gun to attach the rope..

All you need for this project is the board, sisal rope and a staple gun or drill (or both).

Take your board and drill 2 holes at the top of the board about an inch from the top and an inch from each side. If you do not have a drill, staple one end of the rope to one side of the top of the board (about an inch from the edge), leave enough slack for the rope to hang over your door handle and staple the rope to the other side of the board.

If I don't drill holes in the board, I like to use glue on the top ring of rope to hold everything in place.  

Put the sisal through one hole and staple the end about 2 inches down on the board. Pull the rope through the other hole and leave enough slack to hang around our door knob. Staple the other end right below the hole.

Pull the rope tight and begin wrapping the board. Every few rotations compress the rope together using a scrap of wood and a hammer. Continue to the end of the board and staple the end. For added strength, apply glue to the final wrap of fabric before you staple the end. Spray with catnip and let your cat enjoy!