Spiffy Dog Collar

Tired of boring commercial dog collars, but don't have the time to customize one strong enough for your pet? Follow this illustrated tutorial to spiffen up a dog collar with bright fabric in 15 minutes or less! Think of it as... from rags to ruffles!

Open up the collar of your choice ( I assume it's the one you are using and fitted to your dog's neck!). Measure the widest part of the buckle, and add 1/2" to that measurement. This is the measurement you will be using for the casing.

Add 2.5" to the casing measurement. Now measure the length of the collar from tip to tip of the buckle. Add at least half that length to the measurement, as this will form the ruffles. It is best if you can double the length, as long as the width of your fabric allows. Cut 2 strips of fabric the width and length you have measured. (In my case, I am working with a collar for a medium-sized dog, so I cut my strips 4.5" wide and 40" long. Adjust these measurements to fit your dog's collar.)

Working with the top strip, press the seam allowance on one of the short edges of the strip. Place the collar on the strip of fabric, aligning the folded edge of fabric with the tip of the open buckle. Mark the exact location and width of the D-ring on the fabric. Reinforce this area on the backside of the fabric with fusible interfacing or another piece of fabric. Sew a buttonhole along the marked length for the D-ring to fit through. Right sides together, sew the long sides of the strips together. Turn the resulting tube inside out.

Mark the casing lines 1" away from the long edge on both sides. Stitch through both layers, backstitching at the beginning and end of your sewing.

Attach a snap on the back side of the collar - otherwise the collar will move around with the dog's movements. Insert the dog collar through the casing, pulling the D-ring through the buttonhole and adjusting the folds to form a ruffle.

After closing the buckle, close the snap on the back to hold the collar in place.

Place the collar on doggie... and consider making him/her a fun name tag (pattern here) to match the collar.