The perfect home for your cat, or tiny dog!
Craft a fashion-forward and super snuggly DIY pet bed for your furry friend.
Use industrial-grade felt with top-stitched leather details to create a home that is firm and sturdy, while still being extremely cosy for your kitten to lounge in.
With an easy template below that you can print out, there’s no better time than now to start on a DIY that will not only make you happy, but give your feline friend the perfect home to live in.
How to use the template
The template above was created by Better Homes and Gardens America, and therefore contains instructions that are fitted to Imperial measurements. Instead, you can follow the steps below to print out and resize the template with the correct sizing.
Step 1
Enlarge the template (above) by setting the photocopier at 200% so sides are 33cm high when printed. Cut out template to make a pattern.
Step 2
Form a cylinder with felt rectangle as directed in Step 2 (right). Use the pattern to create an opening in the felt cylinder. To do this, place the pattern at top, aligning the vertical seam line on the pattern where sides overlap.
Step 3
Pin the template or trace the opening (dotted lines) onto the felt before cutting along the dotted lines.
Step 4
Continue as directed in the step-by-step instructions (right) to complete this cute cat bed.
How to make a DIY cat bed
Gather your supplies
- Heavy engineering felt in grey (at least 1.6mm thick)
- Stranded embroidery cotton
- Embroidery needle
- Leather offcuts
- Awl
- Sherpa or faux fur fabric
- 40cm round cushion insert
You’ll also need
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- Sewing machine
- Thread to match
Step 1
Cut a 40cm- diameter circle and a 33 x 125cm rectangle from felt.
Step 2
Bring short sides of rectangle together to make a cylinder, overlapping by about 25mm. Using stranded embroidery cotton, running stitch the ends together with 1cm-long stitches. Refer to How to use this template instructions (left) to create a pattern and to cut out the opening in the felt cylinder.
Step 3
Place felt circle inside the cylinder at the bottom, slightly overlap edges of cylinder and circle (ensure cut edges are even). Stitch the 2 pieces together about 1cm from edges.
Step 4
For handles, cut two 25mm x 20cm leather strips. Punch 2 holes on each end about 6mm from edges with an awl (or hammer and nail). Stitch each handle about 38mm down from top on each side, leaving a little slack in handles rather than sewing them flat to the felt.
Step 5
Cut an 8 x 5cm piece of leather and punch five holes about 6mm from each short edge. Fold the piece over V-opening and backstitch through holes.
Step 6
Using a 1cm seam, machine sew two 40cm circles of sherpa or faux fur fabric right sides together, leaving an opening for turning. Turn cover to right side. Fill cover with insert. Put cushion in base of bed.
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