Dog Collar Slipcover Tutorial

Use fabric to decorate your pet’s existing collar!

My fur-baby, Ramsey, has a few old collars that could use a bit of a facelift. Since I hate tossing items that can be re-purposed, I figured out how easy it is to cover them with cute and fashionable fabrics. I can even make some that go with the upcoming holiday or celebratory occasion. The tutorial below details how to make a fabric wrap that goes AROUND your pet’s existing collar! It is super simple to make and you can use fabric scraps you may already have in your stash. The BEST part – there’s no need to purchase hardware or buckles for this collar slipcover! Follow this simple tutorial and you’ll end up making one for every occasion for your pooch, kitty or other collar-wearing critter.

dog-wearing-collar-wrap

Supplies:

  • One pet collar with plastic buckle, adjusted to fit your pet.
  • Fusible Interfacing (affiliate)
  • Fabric (4 times the existing collar’s width and 1″ longer then it’s length)
  • Coordinating Thread
  • Sewing Supplies

Instructions:

  1. With the buckle open, measure the length of your existing collar. Do not include the length of the two plastic buckle pieces, just measure the nylon strap. Add 1″ to this length and this will be the length of your fabric.
  2. Measure the width of your collar and add 1/4″ (to accommodate the width of your adjustment buckle) then triple this amount. This will determine the width of your fabric. Ramsey’s collar was 1″ wide so my cut fabric measured 3 3/4″ wide.
  3. Fold and iron down 1/2″ of fabric on the ends of each of your fabric. iron-dog-collar-wrap
  4. Sew with 1/4″ seam allowance.sew-ends-dog-collar-wrap
  5. Fold your fabric in half with the right side in. It should match the length of your existing collar.
  6. Cut your interfacing so it is the length of your collar wrap up to your stitching. The width will be 1/3 of your fabric width. Place the interfacing along the folded side of your fabric. Iron the interfacing onto your collar wrap according to the directions. iron-interfacing-onto-dog-c
  7. On the inside of your fabric, mark the location where you want your leash ring to poke through. You will make a button hole for the width of your leash ring. mark-button-hole-on-dog-col
  8. IMPORTANT: UNFOLD YOUR FABRIC and follow your sewing machine’s instructions for creating a button hole along the line you drew. If you aren’t familiar with making buttonholes, practice on a few scrap pieces.  sew-button-hole-on-collar-w
  9. Once you create a button hole and snip the fabric inside the hole, make sure you can slip your leash ring through it.buttonhole-for-leash
  10. Sew together the length with a 1/2″ seam allowance (if this appears too loose on your collar, you can easily stitch a 5/8″ seam allowance without ripping out the seam). sew-length-of-collar-wrap
  11. Turn your collar slipcover right side-out and iron the wrap. Slide your collar through the slipcover and slip your leash ring through the button hole.
  12. Be impressed at how easy, adorable AND inexpensive this decorative collar slipcover is for your favorite pet!close-up-dog-wearing-collar

Now where should I take Ramsey now that he’s all dressed up? Pin this and save it so you can make one now AND more later!Pet Collar Slipcover tutorial for cats and dogs! Use fabric scraps to fancy up an old collar and dress them up for special occasions!


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