Hi--this is in response to a question about how to make ferret hammocks.
 
A week or so ago I visited a PetVet shop and decided NOT to pay $27 for a
lined hammock.  (I was already prejudiced against that store, because it's
where the ECE-infected baby ferrets I got last summer came from, and the
manager couldn't have cared less.)  (But that's another story. This email
is about hammocks....)
 
I went to a 'Hobby Lobby' crafts store and bought a yard of washable plush,
like you'd make a teddy bear from, a yard of cotton canvas, a yard of
'ribbon' (tightly woven and reinforced--selected because it looked
durable), and from the jewelry-making section, some clips to hang the
hammock from the cage bars.
 
Here's what ya do (but first take a good look at a ferret hammock so you
can see how the pros do it.)
 
1. Wash the materials, so they don't shrink AFTER you sew 'em
 
2. Measure the diameter and width of the old hammock and cut out a
   newspaper 'pattern' that was really just a long rectangle, about 2 1/2
   inches beyond twice as long as it is wide.
 
3. Cut the canvas using the newspaper pattern. (For people who don't sew
   much, try to make the pattern go straight with the 'grain' of the
   fabric--place one edge against the same thread for the length of the
    pattern.
 
4. Fold the short sides 1/2 inch and iron the fold into place. Fold both
   sides again, this time 3/4 of an inch each, and iron. (Note: if your
   fabric has a 'wrong' side (an inside, basically), then lay it out so
   that the 'wrong' side is facing up and the folded over edges show the
   'right' side.)
 
5. Take another piece of newspaper and measure and cut it to be the same
   size as the folded canvas piece.  (Actually, it's a bit easier to handle
   the plush if you cut it very slightly smaller all the way around.)  Then
   use this newspaper pattern to cut a piece of the plush fabric.
 
6. Lay the plush fabric on top of the canvas, furry side up.  Slip the
   edges of the plush under the folded edges. Pin the folded edges.
 
7. Sew the folded edges--just a straight seam from one end to the other,
   normally 5/8 of an inch in from the edge (usually there's a marker on
   the sewing machines footplate that shows a 5/8 inch line).  (I did
   double seams, for extra strength.) Then sew a parallel seam close to the
   'inner' fold on both edges, if you like, to keep the 'hem' from curling
   up after a few washings.
 
8. Iron the sewed parts.
 
9. Lay the hammock out flat, plush side down. Measure to find the center
   and put a pin or two there to mark the center line. Fold the two sewn
   sides in to the middle, so the either just touch or slightly overlap.
   Pin the unsewn 'raw' edges together, leaving the corners unpinned.
 
10. Figure out how long of 'straps' you want your hammock to have. The
    clips add some length, so be sure to factor them in.  Then cut four
    pieces of ribbon that are about double the length you decided on.  Fold
    them each in half.  Depending on the type of clip you use, you may need
    to put the clips on the ribbons at this point.  Then sew the bottom of
    the ribbons together, forming a loop.  (You don't necessarily have to
    do this step, but it can make working with the all-pinned-up hammock in
    the next part easier.)
 
11. In each corner, position the ribbon in the middle of the layers, so
    that it is between the two layers of canvas.  (When you turn the
    hammock right side out after sewing it, the ribbons should be in each
    corner.) Leave a bit of the ribbon loop sticking out, so you are sure
    you're sewing through it as you sew up the sides in the next step.
    Pin in place.
 
12. Sew the pinned edges, also 5/8 inch in from the edge. I suggest sewing
    the seams two or three times, at least at the points where the two
    sides meet in the middle.
 
13. Trim any threads, bits of stuff, etc that a ferret could get a nail
    stuck on.
 
14. Turn the hammock inside out, put the clips on if you haven't already,
    and hang it in the ferret cage.
 
It seems complicated, but it really is easier done than explained.  (I
didn't actually use patterns, just a ruler.) I made three hammocks, which
took about two hours total, including unsnarling thread when my ancient
sewing machine decided it didn't feel like working.  The hammocks have
gotten a few compliments, and I want to point out that I am NOT good at
sewing or doing crafts.  The total cost of materials was $12.50, because
the plush fabric was on sale.
 
Ivy likes the hammocks so much that when hers was in the washer last night,
she went into someone else's cage to snooze, rather than going out for her
play time.
 
Jacqueline and the Ravening Horde (now appearing in stylish new hammocks)
[Posted in FML issue 2585]