Make a custom cat bed

from a sweatshirt!

This is from my friend, Dave, at the ASPCA Online Community, for those of you with sewing skills who would like to make a custom cat bed – here is the pattern. The pattern was given out at a Paws With A Cause event by one of the local animal shelters. Feel free to share it.

(This also answers the age-old question of what to do with your favorite sweatshirt that is too worn to wear but you just cannot bear to toss it out!)

Step One: Turn sweatshirt inside out and sew neck opening together. It may look funky when you turn it right side out, but once stuffed the fold will turn into a nice pleated top.

Step Two: Turn sweatshirt right side out. Lay sweatshirt flat front side up, in the shape of a T. Then, draw a line from underarm to underarm, pin and sew. This separates the bottom of the bed from the top which will become the sides and back.

Step Three: Fold the arm seam along the side of the sweatshirt body. Pin and sew. Repeat for the other side.

Step Four: Stuff the upper part, arms and chest. Stuff the lower part, body of the sweatshirt.

Step Five: Pin and sew the bottom of the sweatshirt and the cuffs. (Sew cuffs shut over the seam where they are attached to the sweatshirt.)

Step Six: Now fold the arms around the bottom and tack the cuffs to the bottom of the sweatshirt. You can sew over both layers of the cuff, or sew the bottom section of the cuff down, leaving the top part to cover up the sewing.

YOU DID IT! YOUR CATS WILL LOVE THEIR NEW BED!!!