smileysteph14: How to Make a Fabric Dog Collar!

Follow along with me as I make a fabric dog collar and as the pups provide some entertainment on the side. :) Please note, you will have to double-click on all horizontal pics in this post to see the full picture.

Set up supplies. All can be found at fabric stores and hardware stores or online. Fabric, iron-on interface, nylon webbing, heavy duty thread, and collar hardware will be your basics. You'll want to use a heavy duty (size 16) needle on your sewing machine as well.

Fold fabric inside out and cut a strip four times the width of your final collar size and about twice the width of your dog's neck. In this example, we are making a collar for Jelly, my 14 pound Boston Terrier, who has a 12 inch neck. I want to make her a 7/8th size collar, so I cut a fabric strip 3.5 inches (.875 x 4) by 24 inches in length.

Next cut interface strip approximately 1/2 inch shorter on all sides from the fabric strip.

Cut your nylon webbing about the same length as the interface so it is slightly shorter than the fabric strip. Iron on the interface on the back side of your fabric.

Iron fabric strip in half length-wise

Unfold strip and then fold top half in half and iron to crease

Fold and iron the bottom half in the same way.

Open up strip and tuck in nylon webbing. Fold back together and iron again to help hold together.

Fold in half to final width of collar and iron

Open up ends and cut out notches. This makes the ends a little less bulky and helps them to fit into the buckles. With the fabric layers and the nylon, it can be tough to fit to the hardware, so I find this helps.

Fold back in place and, if desired, use a fabric glue pen to help hold down ends in place. Notice I do not bring the nylon webbing all the way to the end, but left room to fold fabric. This makes a nicer fold and again makes it easier to fit into the hardware.

It can help to also dab fabric glue down the length of the collar to help hold in place as well. Iron over entire strip one final time.

On your way over to the sewing machine, finally notice that the pups are up to no good.

Decide the doggie bed-turned-toy is too far gone to save and start sewing. Sew down each end of the fabric strip.

Sew down both lengths of the fabric strip. I start with the open end first.

Notice that a kitchen towel has now also been stolen and is being chewed on.

Be happy that at least one dog is being good--sleeping at your feet, aww!--and keep going.

Admire your handiwork so far.

Now for the hardware! Thread on the "female"end first.

Fold down with a tail about three inches long.

Sew down the hardware.

Slide on the D Ring and sew into place.

Sew an "X" for reinforced stitching. One end done!

Thread on Slider

Notice Victoria Stilwell is talking to you on your TV on your computer and be glad your dogs aren't as bad as the ones on her show and deny being in denial.

Thread on "Male" end of hardware and try not to snicker at the name as you simultaneously tune out Victoria.

Thread the end of the fabric strip through the adjustable slider as shown.

Sew down tail to inside strip (be careful not to make the mistake to sew to the outside strip as you don't want this stitching to show on the outside of the collar!)