Pillow Talk - Sew a Comfy Dog Bed in Less than 2 Hours!

"What do dogs do on their day off?  Can't lie around - that's their job."  - George Carlin

Does your dog have the right tools for his/her job?  A comfy bed is a must for any furry friend.  Our dog Bunnie has 3 beds at home that she rotates between.  She does a great job at holding each of them down.  She now has a fourth bed for our camping adventures!  You can make one too with a yard of fabric and less than 2 hours.

Bunnie loves her new bed!  Look how cute!

This is another beginners project that can be customized for your camper.  Novelty camping fabrics are the best.  There are so many fun ones to choose from.

You can also customize the size of this bed for your dog.  Just modify the measurements for a larger or smaller animal.  Let's get started!

Supplies needed:

• 1 to 1 1/2 yards of fabric
• thread
• fiberfill - between 2 and 3 pounds
• piping - optional

To make this a camping themed project, I used Timeless Treasures Feathers and Camping Scenic.  If you are looking to use a camper themed fabric, Timeless Treasures has a nice assortment of camping fabrics that I have used to make several projects!  The colors and choices are amazing.  

Step 1
Cut a top and bottom piece, 2 side pieces and a front and back panel piece.  You will have 6 pieces in all.

If you have a large pet, you can adjust the size of the pieces to accommodate your dog.  I used the Timeless Treasures Feathers for the top and bottom. The Camping Scenic Fabric completed my side panels.  Don't be afraid to mix colors and patterns!

You will need to adjust how your fold and cut your fabric based on the width of your fabric.  I used more than one fabric so I cut accordingly for each fabric that I used.

Step 2 (Optional) - Skip this step for a simpler version of this project.
If you are adding piping, you can buy premade piping or make your own.  If you are making your own, cut fabric strips that should be enough to wrap around your bed.  This should be about 110 inches long.  You will be making 2 the same size to go around the top and bottom panels.

The piping will fit into the fabric strips with plenty of room to leave an edge for stitching on the bed layers.

I use a zipper foot for making piping so that I get a nice close stitch.  I use piping for everything!

Cut long strips approximately 2 to 2 1/2 inches wide.  If you are piecing strips together, sew the short ends together with the right sides facing to make the length of the strip you need.

Place your piping into the strip.  Sew down the side of the strip to encase the piping.  I use the zipper foot for this to get close to the edge of the piping.

Step 3 (Optional) - Again skip this step if you are not using piping.
If you are using piping, pin your piping around the edge of the top and bottom panel.  The raw edge of the top and bottom panel should match the raw edge of the piping.  Clip your corners as you pin them to help it to lay flat and create a nice corner.  Sew all the way around the four sides.  Do this for the top and bottom pieces.

Clipping the corners in two places will help your piping make a nice corner as you sew around!

Step 4
Take your four-panel pieces and measure 1/2 inch from the edge on both sides of each panel piece.  Make your mark on the wrong side of the fabric.  You can use a pencil or a fabric pen for this.

A fabric pen is a necessary tool for finishing projects.

Step 5
Pin the top panel (large rectangle) to the front panel (longer 3-inch strip).  You will be pinning with the right sides together.  Sew between the 1/2 inch marks on the strip - starting and stopping at each one.  This is leaving a place for you to stitch up the corners when all four panels have been added.

Now, pin the back panel (longer 3-inch strip) to the top panel (large rectangle).  Again, pin the right sides together.  Sew between the 1/2 inch marks again.

Sew the front and back panels to the right side of the top fabric with right sides together.  If you used piping, it will be sandwiched in between the layers.  You are basically building a box.

Step 6
Pin the top panel to one of the side panels.  Right sides should be facing.  Sew between the 1/2 inch marks.  Repeat this for the second side panel.

Now add your side panels.  Make sure that your leaving space on each end using your 1/2 inch marks as a guide.  This is where you will close each of the four corners later!

Step 7
At this point, you will have a box-like shape that is missing the bottom piece.  Attach the bottom piece just as you did the top piece - sewing between the half-inch marks to connect.  However, on one side, leaving about 8 inches open to turn and stuff.  Leave the 8 inches open in the middle of a side.

Be sure that you are connecting with the right sides together.  Your box will be wrong side out.  That is okay!

Step 8
You will pin and close each of the four corners of the bed.  Sew each corner shut.  Turn your bed right side out.

Step 9
Stuff the bed with your stuffing.  Then, pin and close the opening.  I used a zipper foot to get close and sew this completely shut.

It took me about 2 hours to complete this project.  I could have done it in less time because I was interrupted several times.  However, this is a super cute project that Bunnie loves.  This bed really showcases the fun prints that I chose to use.

Sweet Bunnie on her new bed!  3 inches is just right to make a fluffy bed!

If you are looking for more dog projects, check out my dog walking jacket.  And, if you are taking your dog to the campground, follow these tips for traveling with your pet. 

What do you take with your pet to the campground?  Do you have a designated dog bed just for your camper?  I'd love to hear from you about your favorite pet gear for the campground.

Until next time...

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