DIY Dog Collars

I think most pet lovers would admit to wanting their dogs to reflect their owner’s sense of style. However, stylish collars can get pretty expensive, especially if your dog has a larger-than-average neck.

After watching hours of HGTV with my mom and sisters over the winter holiday, I was filled with the “DIY” spirit. Examining my dog’s boring (and frankly, pretty filthy) collars, I thought, “hey, I can do this.”

A quick internet search led me to Doggie Stylish, where artist Karen Friesecke offers custom-made dog collars and leashes, along with tutorials to help you create your own. Armed with her pattern for creating a martingale collar and some readily-available materials, I set out to make collars for the household dogs.

Here’s all you’ll need to make your own ribbon martingale-style collar for your pups:

• ribbon
• 3 D-rings (same size as the width of your ribbon)
• tape measure
• scissors
• sewing machine
• thread

I found the ribbon for $3.99 a roll at Michael’s craft store, and the D-rings ($1.28/ea) at Home Depot.

Step 1

Measure your dog’s neck in two places; at the base and at the top of the neck (just behind the ears). My test dog, Callie, has an obscenely thick neck. Her base measurement was 27 inches, and her behind the ears measurement was 23.

Step 2

To create the neck loop, you’ll need to add two inches to your dog’s smallest neck measurement, and then double it (I wanted to double up my ribbon to add some stability). Measure the appropriate length of ribbon, then cut it.

Step 3

With the right sides together, sew the short ends of your ribbon together (my ribbon was double-sided, so there really wasn’t a “wrong” side), then flip the loop right side out. If you’d like, you can sew down the long edges to give the collar a more finished look.

Step 4

Slip one D-ring onto one end of the neck loop, and fold 2 inches of the ribbon over the flat end of the ring.

Step 5

Use two seams to affix the folded section to the main neck loop; one as close as you can to the D-ring, and the other at the edge of the folded section.

Step 6

Slip the second D-ring on to the other end of the neck loop, and attach the same way you did the first. Note: make sure that you take the length of the D-rings into account so that your finished neck loop, from the top of one D-ring to the other, is equal to your original “behind the ears” measurement.

Step 7

To get the length of the control loop, subtract the “behind the ears” measurement from the “base of the neck” measurement. Add an inch and double your total, then cut a corresponding length of ribbon. As before, with right sides facing, sew the short edges together, then turn right side out.

Step 8

With the folded over edges of neck loop facing out, thread the control loop through the two attached D-rings. Slide the third D-ring on to one side of the control loop.

Step 9

Match up the two edges of the control loop and sew them together, making sure the third D-ring is within that loop. Once the seam is done, flip the control loop right side out so that the seam is on the inside.

Step 10

Voila! Slip the sucker on your stylish puppy!

I deviated a bit from Karen’s instructions; you can find her original tutorial here.

Honestly, the whole process was so simple, I made two more collars after competing the first one. All of the dogs in our house are sporting new, home-made collars!

Tagged as: Dexter, dogs, Ernie, pet care, pet cost saving tips, pet lovers, pet tips, richmond, richmond pets