Piggy Donut Bed Tutorial

[janinehunt]

Greetings all!

I recently made my pigs some donut beds and thought I would share the instructions, so here goes! I have also uploaded this to my husband's webspace as a Microsoft Word document, so you can download it and then print it out for easy access. Here is the link to the download:

http://stephenjudges.com/piggy_donut...al_worddoc.doc

(And if you want to check out some weird and wonderful art just use the main domain: Stephen Judges Online Art Gallery | Original Outsider Art Paintings )

Piggy Donut Bed Instructions


This bed is really easy to make and my pigs love them. They feel so soft and comfy with the shredded sponge filling, which holds up well to repeated washings. You will need fleece, the sponge filling, and the usual sewing equipment. I used a machine, but you could sew them by hand, using small tight stitches so the filling does not escape and risk being ingested by the piggies.

[janinehunt]

1. To make the bottom cushion, cut a pattern from wax paper or use a plate if you want a round base. For the blue one above I used a 26.5cm/10.5” dinner plate. For the yellow one above I wanted an oval base, so I folded a piece of wax paper into quarters, and rounded off the corners till I got the size and shape I wanted, 35cm/14” wide by 29cm/11 ¼” (see pics below). This one turned out a little big for cage use, but we use it for lap time, where it is roomy enough to hold snacks & pig, or even 2 pigs.

If using a wax paper pattern pin it a double layer of fleece, right sides facing out (if applicable), and cut around the pattern. Remove the wax paper.

If using a plate or other round object, place it on a double layer of fleece, right sides facing out (if applicable), and trace around it with chalk. Cut on the traced line.








************************************************** ************

To figure out the length of the surrounding piece of fabric which will form the tube, either :

1. measure around the circumference of your oval base with a measuring tape, and add on 2cm/1” seam allowance, or
2. multiply your round base diameter by pi (π), 3.14, and add on 2cm/1” seam allowance.

So my pieces and measurements were as follows:



Yellow oval base: 35cm/14” wide by 29cm/11 ¼”.
Surrounding tube piece: 114cm/45” long by 26cm/10” high including seam allowance

*********************************************



Blue round base: 26.5cm/10.5”.
Surrounding tube piece: 85cm/34” including seam allowance.
(Calculation: 26.5cm x 3.14= 83.21cm + 2cm seam allowance=85cm)

************************************************** ************

[janinehunt]

Next, sew together the short ends of your surrounding tube piece, right sides together (if applicable), then fold over, rights sides out:






************************************************** **********


Please note, I am using the blue and yellow bed photos according to which photos better show the steps required.


************************************************** **********

[janinehunt]

Pin the open side of the tube piece to the bottom pieces. You will sew through 4 layers of fleece all at once, leaving an opening for stuffing, as follows:



Tube & bottom pinned together

********************************



Mark your opening with some extra pins to remind yourself.
Allow enough of an opening for the width of your hand to fit through.

*****************************



Starting on the far side of the opening, sew through all 4 layers of fleece, removing pins as you go, till you get to the other side of the opening. Don’t forget to backstitch at start and finish to hold it all together well.


*******************************



This is what it will look like after sewing.

*******************************



Here is the underside of blue one, showing the openings.

**********************************************

[janinehunt]

Now, stuff it! Beware though, this stuffing sticks to everything, skin, fabric, wooden table. I find it easiest and neatest to put my hand into the stuffing bag and compress as much stuffing as I can in one hand, with a minimum of overflow. I brush off my hand off, and then fill the base first. I used maybe 4 or 5 handfuls, so it’s about 4cm/1 ½ ” thick.

Pin together the opening of the bottom while you fill the tube. You need to get your stuffing-filled fist as far into the tube as you can, release the stuffing and then work it from the outside into all areas of the tube till it is nice and evenly distributed.

Sew the opening closed either with the machine (squidge the stuffing away from the opening to allow it to fit under the presser foot), or by hand. Trim all threads.

And VOILA!! A beautiful comfy piggy bed! Basher (top) and Pumpkin approve.





A sleeping beauty in the blue one:



Bless her, she’s got a poop right under her nose!

******************************

Happy sewing!

Janine

[AussiePiggies]

Oh these look wonderful and sooo comfy! Your piggies are adorable x

[janinehunt]

Thanks @AussiePiggies! Yes, they love them. At first I only made one, and I could see that it was the favourite piece of "furniture". Now I have several so they can have one each.

[janinehunt]

Two more for their boudoir!

[jenwillis212]

You should sell these! They are super cute. I am not a very creative person and do not sew.

[SophieBunny]

I agree, you would make a ton selling these on etsy or something! I would totally buy one, I'm not creative at all

[addictivejuliet]

I love them. I'm gonna try and make one next week.
Tutorials are always appreciated, thank you!

[Rach84]

I was going to ask someone to make a 'how to make'! Thanks so much xx

[janinehunt]

You're welcome! I'm glad you like them.

@jenwillis212 and @SophieBunny - give it a go! It's a great project for someone who thinks they're "not creative" as it's very simple to make and you don't need to do any fancy stitches. I taught myself how to sew and never considered myself to be very creative either. Have a look on youtube to learn the basics of sewing, perhaps.

Good luck!

[jenwillis212]

Well, your directions are very good! Maybe I could get someone with experience to help me.

[Razzle]

That is such a great picture of your piggie all curled up in bed with those pretty pink feet visible. Just precious.

[SophieBunny]

Hmm... It looks like fun! Maybe I will!

[janinehunt]

Don't forget to post your pictures on this thread so we can see your creations!

[RodentsRus]

Thanks for sharing that. I just might try and make one or two but I'm far from a great sewer..

[Varcoda]

its a great looking bed, but i don't have a sewing machine

anyone living in europe/uk wanting to sell a couple of these, i'd be so happy to buy!