DIY: 2 Stuffed, Squeaky Dog Toy Projects

sweaterbonetoys copy

Here’s a great project to re-purpose old sweaters and turn them into squeaky bones from CraftStylish. If you use a wool sweater, you should probably felt it first.  If you don’t, then when you wash the finished toy, it may shrink into a MUCH smaller toy.  If you use cotton or acrylic, it won’t felt.  (Here are a few tutorials on felting, in case you need them: this one covers both hand & machine felting, here is a printable one on machine felting, and another on hand felting.)

You’ll need:

  • a clean, old sweater (yours, from a thrift store, etc.)
  • bone pattern–here are 3: bone #1, bone #2, bone #3
  • squeakers
  • sewing machine
  • thread
  • fiber fill or some kind of stuffing
  • a needle for hand sewing (here’s a tutorial for slip stitch for closing the toy)

 

Fabricbonetoy copy

The second project is for a fabric squeaky bone toy. This isn’t a difficult project and the tutorial is thorough.  You can get some fun fabric for this.  If you want to be thrifty, check the remainder table at your fabric store or check for yardage at thrift stores.  If you use a lighter cotton, you should use an inner layer of a heavier fabric like canvas or muslin.  Upholstery fabric could make some neat toys and you don’t need to buy much.

You’ll need:

  • fabric (check the remnants table & thrift stores)
  • heavier fabric like canvas or muslin if you use a lighter weight fabric for the outside
  • bone pattern–here are 3: bone #1, bone #2, bone #3
  • squeaker (the tutorial calls for a rattle)
  • sewing machine
  • thread
  • fiber fill or some kind of stuffing
  • a needle for hand sewing (here’s a tutorial for slip stitch for closing the toy)

DIY For The Holidays

You’ve probably noticed the flurry of DIY projects.  There’s something about colder weather that makes me want to start tons of projects.  This coincides nicely with this season of gift-giving.  I’m posting a variety of projects—some are super easy and some require a little skill.  I’ll try to get a bunch up for you.

Here’s last year’s collection of DIY projects with fun toys, clothes, and beds for your pets or others.

DIY: Foxtail Toy For Dogs

diyfoxtailtoyA Foxtail toy is a ball with a nylon sock about 30 inches long sewn onto it.  It’s good for playing fetch and is easy to throw.  Saffron likes shaking the one she has.  Instructables has a tutorial on how to make your own Foxtail-type toy. You’ll need:

  • a tennis ball–an old one will work fine
  • at least 30″ of fabric (preferably lightweight nylon)
  • sewing machine
  • heavy duty thread or dental floss
  • heavy duty needle
  • possibly needle-nose pliers

The tutorial doesn’t have a template for the sock, but the dimensions should be 9 inches on one end, 2 inches on the other end, and 30 inches long.  It should taper on the center from the wide end to the narrow end.