Winter time is hardest for homeless animals, and HeightsNEXT helps by hosting a pet bed workshop. In partnership with the Columbia Heights Public Library, this is one of our most popular city-wide service projects, drawing in people of all ages.
Who
Anyone can do this! There is no sewing, just hand-tying.
When
March 15 – April 1, 2021
How it works
Step 1: Sign up for a kit
Register for Take and Make: Pet Beds for Animals Shelters on the Columbia Heights Public Library calendar. Seats (supplies) are limited.
No seats left? Learn how to prepare your own fleece!
Step 2: Pick up your kit
Pick up your kit anytime during the week of March 15, 2021.
Columbia Heights Public Library 3939 Central Avenue NE Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Step 3: Make your pet bed
See our easy Instructions tab at the top of this page.
Step 4: Return it to the library
Bring your completed pet bed back to the Columbia Heights Public Library by April 1, 2021.
All of the pet beds you make are donated to Midwest Animal Rescue & Services (MARS) of Minneapolis.
Donate your unwanted fabric year-round!
HeightsNEXT accepts donations of clean polar fleece fabric and flannel sheets, thick blankets, old sweatshirts, fabric scraps, etc. Just contact us to arrange a drop-off time and location.
How to Make a Fleece Pet Bed
Your kit from the Columbia Heights Library should include the following:
Step 1
Line up both pieces of fabric. Lay a ruler or yard stick even with the cut-out corners (about 4 inches from the edge of the fabric). Cut a slit every inch until it reaches the ruler.
Note: You will be cutting through both pieces of fabric at the same time.
Step 2
Starting at one corner, tie the two pieces of fabric together, strip by strip. Use a double knot or square knot to make sure it doesn’t come undone. The knot should be snug to the uncut end of the strip.
Step 3
Tie together all of the strips, leaving an opening large enough to add the stuffing.
Then, add your own stuffing:
- Batting
- Fiber fill
OR, make your own stuffing from clean, repurposed fabrics:
- Old blankets
- Old towels
- Old sweatshirts
- Old socks
Be sure to cut your stuffing into smaller chunks (about 6 inches square) so the bed can be fluffed and won’t have big lumps in it.
Step 4
Once stuffed, tie the remaining strips together to close up the bed.
Want to make more pet beds from scratch?
Here’s how to measure your own fleece and get it ready to become a pet bed.
Step 1
Get some fleece. We recommended choosing one basic color for the back, and a fancier pattern for the front. This way, it is easy to tell the front and back apart when tying the edges.
Step 2
Choose a size from this chart. Make sure you have enough for both the front and the back of the pet bed.
| Pet Bed Size | Fleece Dimensions | Finished Size |
| X-Small | 20 x 26 | 12 x 18 |
| Small | 26 x 36 | 18 x 24 |
| Medium | 28 x 38 | 20 x 30 |
| Large | 32 x 44 | 24 x 36 |
| X-Large | 36 x 50 | 25 x 42 |
| XX-Large | 38 x 56 | 30 x 48 |
Step 3
Measure and cut the fabric. Cut off any hemmed or blanket-stitched edges, because they are not safe for pets. Cut 4 inch squares out of each corner. Save the scraps to use as stuffing.
Finally, cut 1 inch wide strips around all four sides.
That’s it! Now the bed is ready for assembly.