Hammocks Do you think I could Make a Hammock like this? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**wheekers01** · #1 04-21-09, 05:16 pm

I saw some hammocks on the site and I was wondering if I could make one like this: Take to pieces with the right sides together. Sew them together but leave a space and flip it right side out. Clip it to the cage and tada...might it work? Thanks!

**ferndalezoo** · #2 04-21-09, 05:21 pm

That's basically what all of mine have been. Two pieces, right sides together. I also put a 6" length of ribbon in each corner, between the pieces, pointing toward the center. Sew around it, leaving an opening to turn it rightside out. Sew the opening shut. The ribbons now extend outward from each corner, and you can either tie those to the cage, or add clips, whatever.

**wheekers01** · #3 04-21-09, 06:13 pm

Or should I make a cozy thing...not a cuddle cup...tried that last night...did not work!

**Skeetersmom** · #4 04-21-09, 06:37 pm

I make the cozy sleeping bag type ones. Mine LOVE them!

**ferndalezoo** · #5 04-21-09, 07:04 pm

The cuddle cup isn't as hard as it looks. My pigs do like theirs, but I've done cuddle tunnels, donut beds, covers for their bent-grid hideys, hammocks (easy!), etc.

**wheekers01** · #6 04-21-09, 07:17 pm

how do you make the sleeping bag type ones...I already finished the hammock...

**ferndalezoo** · #7 04-21-09, 07:22 pm

The thing I've found helps for the sleeping-bag type ones and the tunnel types-- If you go to the fabric store and get what's called "boning" (it's basically a plastic strip enclosed in a fabric casing), it really helps keep the open end open. I have used both the boning, and 1" foam for that purpose. both work, but the boning is more manageable.

**wheekers01** · #8 04-21-09, 07:27 pm

what's a donut bed and how do you make it?

**ferndalezoo** · #9 04-21-09, 07:35 pm

You know those round cat beds you can find at petco, etc? They're basically just flat, but with a raised rim all around the edge? My piggies LOVE those, but they're (A) way too big and (b) out of my budget, most of the time. So what i did was this: (I'll try to describe it as best as I can).

You need to cut:

2 circles of fabric (I do one fleece, one print) the diameter you want.

1 circle of foam (or batting). For foam, you want it an inch smaller all around than the fabric. For batting, it can can be the same size.

1 strip of fabric the circumfrence of the circle, plus an inch (for a seam allowance)

You will also need fiberfill stuffing (the kind you'd use to stuff toys or pillows).

Sandwich the foam or batting between the circles of fabric (right sides out) and sew together around the outside edge.

Fold the strip of fabric in half width wise (so it's short and fat, not long and thin) right sides together and sew the cut ends together.

turn right side out, and fold in half the other way (to make a circle. sew the bottom (cut) edge together, but leave a space.

stuff that whole piece with the stuffing, and sew the opening shut.

Decide which side of the circle will be the outside (bottom) of the bed. That side will be the "right side".

Sew the ring you just stuffed to the circle, right sides together.

Trim the seam very closely, and flip rightside out.

**wheekers01** · #10 04-21-09, 07:44 pm

Thanks does anyone have any other ideas...that are simple because i am not that good of sewer thanks though...hmmm??

**ferndalezoo** · #11 04-21-09, 07:51 pm

Another big hit with mine: cuddle tunnels.

Cut: 2 rectangles of fabric. At least 12" long, and as high as you want the tunnel to be long. I use fleece for one and cotton for the other.

2 lengths of boning (about 10" long).

Decide which fabric will be the outside. On that one, sew a strip of boning to the INSIDE, about an inch from each short end (the 12" side).

fold each rectangle in half (right sides together) lengthwise, and sew the long side together. (seperately).

Turn the "inside" piece right side out, and put it inside the outside piece. Sew around one of the open ends (pick one, doesn't matter.

Turn the whole thing right side out. Tuck the inside into the outside, and turn the raw edges of the other opening inside. sew closed.

**ferndalezoo** · #12 04-21-09, 08:41 pm

Also: instant hidey hut:

You need: 1 spare grid

1 rectangle of fabric: 30" wide by 15" tall.

Fold the top (long edge) of the fabric over by 1/2" (toward the wrong side) and zigzag stitch all down that edge.

Fold the rectangle in half, right sides together, to make a 15" square, and sew down the remaining two edges with a straight stitch. Zig-zag down both sides (so it goes just over the edge) to reinforce.

turn it right side out.

Bend a grid to a 90 degree angle.

Pull the fabric pocket over the grid so the open edge in one one of the sides (not front or back).

Instant hidey hut!

**wheekers01** · #13 04-21-09, 08:44 pm

Thanks so much...too bad I don't have an extra grid...thanks though....and this was my grandma's sewing machine so it is really ancient and doesn't have zig-zag. I might buy another box of grids to make a second level though! Thanks again!

**ferndalezoo** · #14 04-21-09, 08:46 pm

You can do without a zigzag. Just add an inch to all dimensions. Fold it over twice at the top, and straight stitch down. Sew the cover together WRONG sides together first. Then turn the other way, and sew right sides together. It'll work just as well.

**trump_cinnamon** · #15 04-24-09, 06:06 pm

If you can't sew, I would invest in a hot-glue gun. It works wonders on fabric! Just make sure that no glue is sticking out, so that your pigs can't chew on it. I can't sew, but I can glue really well! That's how I make most of my pigs' houses, cuddle cups, etc.