At Home : Pets : Homemade Pet Beds : Home & Garden Television

Random orphan socks make an inexpensive pet bed, perfect for outside.

Color-coordinated socks sewn into a pet bed make a decorating statement.

Pet enthusiast Elizabeth Quinn demonstrates how to recycle orphan socks into unique pet beds that require more time than money to make. She recommends keeping a basket near the dryer to collect these socks as they appear.

Materials:

orphan socks (or socks bought in a color theme, or outgrown socks)
polyester stuffing or recycled pantyhose with runs
needle and thread or sewing machine

Steps:

Place stuffing in the socks.

Figure A

Tuck the toe around onto itself and sew it securely to start the spiral (figure A). You should end with the open end of the sock.

Stuff the toe of the next sock into the open end of the first sock and stitch in place to secure. Continue adding socks, toe to open end, wrapping the tube around on itself to continue the spiral. Always sew the toe of the next sock into the open end of the previous sock.

Figure B

After you have made a spiral circle to your desired size, (which will depend on the size of your pet), turn the bed over and sew each row of socks together with a running stitch (figure B).

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Other Ideas

Recycle those baby socks into a sweet little mattress for your pet (figure C).
Uniform socks get new life when made into a tailored-looking crash pad for Fido (figure D).
Recycle sheets by stringing them over a clothes line or rope to make a fun and inexpensive dog house, indoors or out (figure E). Throw an old mattress into the little tent for extra comfort.

Also in this Episode

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-938
•	Organizing Purses
•	Homemade Pet Beds
•	Stocking the Pantry
•	Smart Solution of the Day

At Home

Homemade Pet Beds

Tools

MOST POPULAR

At Home

Homemade Pet Beds

Tools

MOST POPULAR

Home and Garden Ideas from our sponsors