Let's start out with a list if necessities...
1. paracord buckles... I got these from wally world for two bucks. But you can get them at any craft supply place.
2. a quick turn tool... this thing is something I will never be without! They come in a pack of three for about eight bucks. I got mine at Joann Fabric.
3. a length of whatever fabric that you choose (we will measure to see how much you need
4. Misc stuff.... a tape measure, a rotary cutter, ruler and quality thread (my stuff of choice came from Dritz, Olfa, Omni-Grid and Aurifil).
Let's start with measuring. If you are like me, and your fingers are falling off because you are a zombie, this can be a difficult task. But for the rest of you - it should be a piece of cake! Just measure around your pup's neck - tight enough to not allow them to wiggle out of it, but loose enough for them to be able to breathe (unless they are a zombie dog)...
Miss Coco here measures at 13". We will want to pad it a little on each end to allow room to attach the paracord clip. So lets go cut a piece of fabric that is 16" long by 3" wide. That gives us an inch and a half on each end - but remember, we can always trim off any excess if we need to! I don't personally go wider than that for a few reasons... 1: its hard to get through the paracord clip and 2: it tends to fold while Coco is wearing it because she is a small dog. If you were making one for a labrador or something, I would certainly go much wider with the cut - and of course get a much larger paracord clip!
After we cut, fold the piece in half lengthwise with right sides facing and sew along the open edges with a 1/4" seam.
Once we have our piece sewn together, its time to use our handy dandy quick turn tool! I just love this thing!
After we have turned our tube - we will give it a press with our iron and then top stitch down both vertical edges to give it a nice finished look. I like my seam to be running down the center of the backside of the collar, but honestly, it really makes no difference. Fold the end of your finished tube to form a little triangle to make it easier to fit through the opening of the paracord clip. Slip it through and fold it back onto itself and tack it down. Make sure you are folding it towards the BACK side of the collar and make sure that you have your paracord clip facing in the right direction to close when you are finished. I like to play with mine a bit to make extra sure before I sew it on. Ive had to rip it out a few times and learned this the hard way!
And after we have tacked down both ends...
TA DA! You did it! You made your fur baby a beautiful ne collar! It can be washed, it can be easily taken off the paracord clip and changed, and the best part os that it can be easily customized! My Coco has one for all of the colors of the rainbow practically! And all of the holidays too of course!
I hope you liked my tutorial. This was the first but it won't be the last!
Zombie drool and rotten brains,
ZQ
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