Cozies How to Make a Cuddle Cup (requires sewing) - Page 7 - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**starshine123102** · #**121** 03-18-09, 03:05 pm

I want to make a cuddle cup that has a 9 inch base instead of 11 inches. How long of a strip would you need to make the side? I tried it once but when I found the circumference of the base and cut the wall to match (actually an inch or so longer), it didn't work, it was a good 2-3 inches to short. Theoretically, it should have worked, but it didn't, so does anyone know how to get the right measurements?

**CharmeC** · #**122** 03-18-09, 03:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by starshine123102

I want to make a cuddle cup that has a 9 inch base instead of 11 inches. How long of a strip would you need to make the side? I tried it once but when I found the circumference of the base and cut the wall to match (actually an inch or so longer), it didn't work, it was a good 2-3 inches to short. Theoretically, it should have worked, but it didn't, so does anyone know how to get the right measurements?

Actually 30.5" didn't work for my 11" either, I had to add a 3" strip when I found out it's too short. Maybe it's due to the stretchability of the fabric?

Quote:

Originally Posted by IluvePiggies

If you go to my profile, Carly is the brown and white one which I bought in early February too! Sandy, the tan and white one, I bought 2 years ago.
Which Guinea Pig is which?

Oh, the 2 most recent vistor messages that I posted are very long. It tells how I got Carly if you want to know........I think she's 6 months or older because she's smaller then Sandy and she looks exactly like a 6 month old Guinea Pig but I have to weigh her before I can even make sure she's 6 months old.

Thanks for letting know I can upload pictures! This forum has so much more functions than the ones I am used that I am a little at lost here.

**Ly&Pigs** · #**123** 03-19-09, 12:30 pm

I just want everyone to know that I've unapproved 3 posts on this thread because they were off topic. Please do not include off topic discussions on this thread. Keep any replies or questions strictly on topic of cuddle cups and how to make them.

**CharmeC** · #**124** 03-19-09, 01:08 pm

I made another cozy last night! I made the outer layer with 1 layer of flower print+1 layer batting+1 layer of pink felt so the wall can stand up stiffer. I also increased the size of the cozy to a diameter of 12" and a height of 6" so the piggies have more room to turn around. I think I had to cut 38" for the side to go with the 12" diameter. I am wondering if I should make a cover to go with it so they can snuggle in the dark?

**Ly&Pigs** · #**125** 03-19-09, 01:33 pm

That cup is just too cute. Just make sure they don't eat the rose you added.

**wheekers01** · #**126** 04-18-09, 05:18 pm

Instead of batting could you use like this fluff that you might use to stuff a toy or pillow?
Thanks I might attempt to try this tonight!

**ferndalezoo** · #**127** 04-18-09, 07:28 pm

Instead of the batting, I've been using a foam mattress pad (1" thick). I cut the foam pieces slightly smaller on all sides than the fabric pieces. I've made 4 so far this way, in varying sizes, and they've all turned out really well. The foam has held up very well in the washer and dryer, and keeps the sides more "upright" than the batting did. My boars tended to squish the one I made with batting.

**ptbruiser** · #**128** 04-19-09, 11:47 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheekers01

Instead of batting could you use like this fluff that you might use to stuff a toy or pillow?
Thanks I might attempt to try this tonight!

The only problem with using that is that it may bunch up. I liked the foam idea that someone suggested. I haven't gotten to make any more pads, so I haven't tried anything else. But I would be leary of using batting just in case it bunches up.

**ferndalezoo** · #**129** 04-21-09, 12:27 pm

Here are a couple pics of a cozy I made recently, by modifying these directions. I used a cotton fabric and lined it with fleece. Instead of batting, I used 1" foam, which is sturdier, and holds up better to the abuse of 4 boars, plush frequent laundering. I also made a removeable inner pillow which is fleece on one side and cotton on the other. My models (Oswald and Greyson) were well paid in cilantro. :-)

**smplocher** · #**130** 04-22-09, 11:06 am

How much material and batting do I buy? Great instructions and pictures (!), but I need to know yardage please. Can't wait to try this out. My babies will love it! Thanks for the hard work.

**smplocher** · #**131** 04-22-09, 11:11 am

Idea: I've made lots of quilted purses and quilts. Do a quick meander (wandering around with no clear pattern - can be large-ish) stitch around the outside fabric and the batting. That might help. Someone else suggested tying. You could also tack all three layers together without too much trouble I would think. Set your machine (if you can) to a really close zig zag and let your needle go up and down a few stitches a few inches apart. That would help with the shifting problem.

**smplocher** · #**132** 04-22-09, 11:18 am

Quick thought - Im' pretty new to the whole guinea world but I'm thinking there is fusible interfacing that one could fuse to the batting to give it more stiffness. The idea of working with foam is sort of intimidating. I've used the fusible interfacing with purses and they hold up very well. Of course, I've not let my babies sleep in my purses so I'm not sure what they would do with rolling around. Anyway, the interfacing would give the whole thing more body and shape and it's made to be washed. I might try it and let you all know how it went.

**Deenanicole08** · #**133** 04-25-09, 07:00 am

Oh how I wish I was more creatively inclined. I know I could never make one of these, but I cannot purchase any that can hold up to my 3 boars. All my cozy saks turn out to be more like blakets as soon as they get in the cage also because they walk all over them. I give up on cozies.

**spacefem** · #**134** 05-17-09, 03:31 pm

Awesome project, I made one and it's adorable and only took about an hour! The only thing I'd change next time is that I'd offset the "opening" when cutting it out of the 30" strips. You know, the part that swoops down so the piggie can get in easier? It has to be in the same spot for the batting and outside fabric, but if it's a few inches over on the fleece it means your circle-closing seams won't be on top of each other. Makes it a bit easier to sew.

**elli. x3** · #**135** 08-12-09, 08:32 am

thats such a good idea! but how do you turn it inside out?

**mariatito** · #**136** 08-16-09, 02:47 pm

Wow! Great instructions! Thank you all!

Vanilla eXe · #**137** 09-05-09, 10:56 am

I've been wanting to make one of these and now thanks to this tutorial, I can. Thank you so much for posting it (however long ago it was.) I'm going to the fabric store today for fleece and costume stuff, so I can pick up what's needed for one of these too.

**GizzyandMe** · #**138** 09-15-09, 02:45 am

O My Gosh thank you so much! Gonna get my mom to make me one as I can not sew.

**Lula~Izzy Piggy** · #**139** 10-06-09, 10:43 am

can this be thrown in the wash??

**ferndalezoo** · #**140** 10-06-09, 01:39 pm

I think the washability is going to depend on what you make it with. Fleece and cotton fabrics are both washable. If you use batting, I'd suggest not throwing it in the dryer, which might help it hold up longer, The ones I've made (by now nearly 50 of them, between orders for people and for my own pigs) with foam instead hold up extremely well to washing and drying if they're well sewn.

"Thank you, Ly&Pigs, for this useful post," says:
IluvePiggies (03-19-09)

"Thank you, CharmeC, for this useful post," says:
angiekay (10-06-09)

"Thank you, ferndalezoo, for this useful post," says:
ptbruiser (04-22-09)