Holidays Prep: Decorating

 

Every holiday season we lug out the tubs of decorations and table settings to make our homes look and feel festive.  Why not add a little seasonal cheer to our pets as well?  I’m not talking about dressing them up as a pilgrim or strapping mistletoe to their collar; I’m talking about decorating their bed.  Everything else in the house is getting a makeover, why not the dog bed too? 

No-sew fleece blankets are simple to make and easy to keep clean (just throw it in the wash).  It can simply drape over your existing pet bed and you can choose the fabric to match any holiday, sports team, or theme you want.    Not only is fleece comfy but it’ll give your pet a little extra warmth this winter.  Don’t have a pet bed? That’s fine too.  Fleece blankets can just as easily go on the couch or bed to help contain the pet fur left behind.  

No-Sew Fleece blanket

How much material?

You can decide how big you want your pet blanket. Look at how wide the blanket is and keep in mind that most fabric is folded in half when sold by the yard.  Your fabric could be anywhere from 21 inches to 1 1/2 yards.

Things you’ll need:

·         Two pieces of fleece the same size. Piece may be the same pattern, two different patterns, two plain colors or a pattern on one side and a plain color on the other.

·         Scissors (sharp ones or fabric scissors if you have them)

·         Tape measure or ruler

·         One 4" x 4" piece of paper

Instructions (for picture instructions, refer to the slideshow):

1. Take your two pieces of fleece. Put one piece on top of the other lining up the edges so they are even. (Be sure you have the two sides that you want showing facing the outside.  Of the sides you see, one side will be the front of your blanket and the other side will be the back.)
2. Trim off any selvage around the edges of your fleece (try not to cut in more than 2 inches). Use your ruler to help you cut straight.                                     
3. Take your piece of 4"x4" paper and lay it on the corner of your blanket. Then, cut out the corner through both layers.  Repeat this step on all four corners.                                                                                      
4. Now you are ready to cut your fringes.  Cut 4 inches into both layers of fleece, making each fringe 1 inch wide.  You can use your ruler but I found it easier to lay a tape measure across (4” inward) from one cut out corner to the other.  Your measurements don’t have to be exact, just try to keep them the same size.  Repeat this step on all four sides.  
5. Starting on one side, tie every other fringe pair (one fringe from the front and back side) using an over hand knot. (You may prefer to double knot each fringe to prevent them from coming untied in the wash.)  Repeat this step on all four sides.
6. Flip the whole blanket over and tie the remaining knots until your blanket is complete.            

*Bonus: If you want to make this a pet bed, just put a pillow in between the fabric before you tie your knots.

The blanket is now complete and ready to spice up your holiday décor.  This is an easy to make DIY project and it makes the purr-fect gift for anyone (pets or no pets).