National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day

Whether you know how to knit one, purrl two or are handy with a glue gun, friends of felines can all tap into our creative side and embark on a DIY project in celebration of National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day.

When is National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day?

Established in 2012 by SewDoggyStyle.com blogger Erika Lindquist, the pet holiday always falls on July 21.

This day shines a spotlight on simple, budget-friendly ways that animal lovers can give pets in need a gift from the heart.

Easy No-Sew DIY Fleece Bed for Shelter Cats

This project uses a simple knotting technique to craft a plush bed, making it perfect for those who want to avoid sewing. Here’s how you can create a cozy no-sew fleece bed for cats:

Materials:

1. Soft fleece fabric – about 2 yards (to have enough for both the top and bottom).
2. Scissors.
3. Measuring tape or ruler.
4. Polyester fiberfill or old pillows for stuffing.

Instructions:

Cut the Fabric

• Lay out your fleece and cut two equal-sized rectangles or squares. A size of approximately 24×24 inches is a good starting point, as you’ll be knotting the edges which will reduce the overall size of the bed.

Fringe the Edges

• Along each side of both fleece squares, cut strips about 3-4 inches long and 1 inch wide. These strips will be knotted together, so ensure they align on both pieces of fleece.

Knotting the Bed Together

• Place one piece of fleece flat with the “right side” (the side you want to show) facing up.
• Lay the second piece on top with the “right side” facing down. Now, the fringes you cut should be aligned on top of each other.
• Leave a gap (about 5-6 pairs of untied fringes) on one side. This is where you’ll insert the stuffing.
• Start at one corner and tie the top and bottom strips together into a double knot. Work your way around the fleece, tying the top and bottom strips together.

Stuff the Bed

• Begin stuffing the bed through the gap. Use the polyester fiberfill or pull apart an old pillow to use its stuffing. Distribute the stuffing evenly to create a comfortable thickness for the cat to lie on.

Close the Gap

• Once the bed is sufficiently stuffed, continue tying the remaining fringes in double knots until the bed is fully sealed.

Finishing Touches

• Fluff and even out the stuffing inside the bed by patting and shaping it to create a cozy resting spot for the cat.

Tips

• The thicker the fleece, the more plush and cushiony the bed will be.
• Consider using two different but complementary fleece patterns or colors for a unique look.
• Always ensure that the knots are tight and secure, so the stuffing remains intact, especially if the bed gets a lot of use.

Now, you have a cozy, no-sew plush bed for a cat, made with love and care! This is perfect for personal use or as a thoughtful donation to a local animal shelter.

More Ideas for Shelters

It doesn’t take a lot of creativity, budget or time to create great crafts that your local shelter can use to brighten the day of a pet. Simple cat beds and toys are super easy to make and can make a big difference in a homeless pet’s life!

Erika has lots of ideas on Sew Doggy Style for ways everyone can participate in National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day. You’ll find low-cost ideas that you can share with your friends (and wouldn’t this be the perfect project for children looking for some inexpensive ways to have fun and help pets this summer?!)

Fans of felines with little time or money to spare can choose to make a cardboard cat scratcher to a plush pet bed from pillowcases, and dog devotees can make braided tug toys from discarded T-shirts for our buddies who bark.

A more seasoned crafter can show off their skills by crocheting cat toys or sewing “Adopt Me” vests for fashion forward Fidos who long to find a forever family to love.

Before starting your project, Lindquist suggests contacting your local shelter to find out what items are most needed at the facility.

As you work, remember that your handmade item may only cost pennies to make, but its ability to lift the spirits of a shelter pet is priceless.

More Cat Holidays You Might Enjoy

Adopt-a-Cat Month® and Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month

Clear the Shelters

Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week