Got scraps? If you quilt or sew the answer is probably yes. Some of them you might save, and others may be too small for you to use … or can you use them?
I have just the project for you, an easy-peazy pet bed. You know you can’t resist those eyes!
After all, your faithful animal companion is right there, helping you through your every quilt-making journey. When you finish your next quilt, why not pick up all the fabric scraps off the floor and use them to fill a cozy pet bed or two?
Don’t have any pets? No problem.
Pet beds make a great community service project. In fact, at your next community service quilting day, you can save everybody’s scraps and make pet beds as well. Since I don’t have any pets (yet) these two pet beds are on their way to the local animal shelter.
(This is the part that Eleanor Burns never told you about: what to do with all those pieces of fabric that you so enthusiastically flung over your shoulder in your quest to make a quilt in a day.)
Here’s a pile of fabric and batting scraps that I’ve collected from the past month or so of quilt-making. This was enough to make two beds: one for a dog and one for a cat. A tip from my friend Jessica: If you’re making a cat bed, use soft fabric on the outside because kitties like soft. 
Easy-Peasy Pet Bed
1.Decide what size you want your pet bed to be and add 1″ all around for seam allowance.
2. Cut two pieces of fabric for the outside of the bed (or use a single piece folded in half).
3. Sew the outer pieces right sides together all the way around the edges with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Leave a space large enough to fit your hand through.
4. Turn the pet bed right side out and stuff loosely with scraps.
5. Fold the open part of the seam allowance under and machine stitch near the edge to close the opening.
(If you make the pet bed cover ahead of time you can keep it by your cutting table or sewing machine and drop the scraps in as you go, keeping your sewing area nice and neat all the time. Although I have to agree with Eleanor, it is really fun to toss the scraps over your shoulder.)
Voilà! Now didn’t I tell you that was easy? Sweet dreams, furry friends.
WELL DONE .
Thanks Jessica, .. and thank you for the idea!
I have found that if you partition off the pillow in sections, topstitch through the channel it will keep the scraps distributed better. Otherwise, they tend to move to one end and clump.
Thanks Debra! That’s a great tip! I’ll have to try it.
I was glad to see your post.
Taking your idea a step further:
a) wanting to use scraps as they fall to the floor or get trimmed from around half-square triangle squares while I watch TV, etc.
b) remembering the “biscuit” quilts of old
c) remembering the flannel “rag” quilts where we started by sewing two squares together, sewing the squares into a quilt, and fraying the edges
Here’s what I am going to try:
a) sew two squares (probably 6″ or so) of fabric WRONG sides together with a 1″ seam.
b) leave a 2 iinch opening on one side.
c) stuff in trimmings as I sew
d) when full, stitch the opening shut and continue all the way around the square again to put in a double seam
e) stitch from corner to corner
d) put the finished “biscuit” in a basket in my sewing room
e) sew the “biscuits” together along that same seam line (use the step of sewing the biscuits together as a “leader” or “ender” in my chain piecing process)
f) fray or pink the edges
Before long, I’ll have a biscuit quilt to donate to the cat shelter without even realizing what I’m doing! I’ve just been using scraps, trimmings, and incorporated it into the sewing process.
I’ll offer you a picture of the first one I complete!
Storm
Hi Storm,
What a wonderful idea! Sounds easy and cute. I would love to see a photo!
Laura