Pet Comforters

The Wake County Community Outreach program is enlisting volunteer sewers to make small comforters for the kittens, cats and small dogs in the care of the shelter to be used in the mobile adoption unit and to be give to foster animals. The cozy beds will keep the animals warm during outdoor adoption events. In addition, since they seem so happy lying on their little beds, they are even more irresistible and hopefully have a better chance of being adopted!

Because of the number of animals we care for, a great many comforters are needed.

If you can help by making, or donating materials to make this program a success, please e-mail Nancy at nancy.clemmons@wakegov.com

MOBILE UNIT AND FOSTER COMFORTERS SPECIFICATIONS 

SPECIFICATIONS:

Comforters can be made from any type of material except looped fabric like chenille or terry cloth that might get snagged in the animal's nails. They should be a finished size for extra small 12" x 24”, small 18” x 24”, medium 24” x 24”, large 36” x 24” and extra large 48” x 24”, but this can be vary slightly. The comforters can be stuffed with various types of material, but polyester batting works best because it dries quicker after laundering. The batting should be about 1/2" thick.

INSTRUCTIONS for Sewing:

Cut the material to the right size – allowing an extra inch around for seams.

1. Fold it in half with wrong side facing out. This saves you from having to sew around all four sides.
2. Sew down each long side.
3. Turn material right side out.
4. Stuff with quilt batting.
5. Sew across the bottom edge.
6. Tack down each corner and once in the middle, or sew corner-to-corner, forming an "X" over entire comforter so that the batting does not shift during laundering.

INSTRUCTIONS for No-Sew:

No-sew comforters are made from fleece fabric. They should be a finished size for small 18” x 24”, medium 24” x 24”, large 36” x 24” and extra large 48” x 24”, but this can be vary slightly.

1. Lay your two pieces of of fleece on top of each other, edges even all around. Your fabric should be 8 inches larger than your finished pet blanket. You can use either all the same design or get creative and coordinate fabrics.
2. Trim the sdges around all four sides of the fleece. Cut both pieces at the same time to remove the unsightly edges (selvedges).
3. Cut a 4-inch square from each corner of the blanket.
4. Cut strips into the fabric that are 1 inch wide and 4 inches deep around all four sides of the blanket.
5. After the strips are cut, join the two layers together by tying an overhand knot all the way around the blanket. Be sure not to pull too hard or the fabric may stretch.
6. When all four sides are tied, you are done!! You have just made a no-sew pet blanket.

That's it! You have just created a gift of comfort for a homeless animal in desperate need. You have increased her chances of adoption by helping her to relax so she can put on her best face for potential adopters. You have done a wonderful thing. Thank you!