Well I tried making hammocks and sleep sacks.  The hammocks turned out
REAL good I think. :-)
 
They're pretty simple to make.  I took pcs of cloth about 18 inches square
and sewed them together.  I made a faux fur one and a fleece one with kind
of wild patterns on the other side.  For attaching the corners I used
elastic in each corner which gives it a kind of bounce.  I didn't have any
dog clips or metal clips laying around so I used shower curtain hooks?  Has
anyone ever tried those before?  I think they should stay fastened since
they're so tough to open.  Or is there something better to use?  To bad
zip ties can't be taken on and off, those are nice and strong.  I was
thinking those, then I asked myself how I was going to take them off to
wash them. :-)
 
As for the sacks.  Well...I don't know if I made them right.  All I could
figure out how to do them was to sew each pc of fabric into a pocket and
sew them together at the top and then fold over the cuff of fleece at the
top.  I made 1 faux fur and 1 fleece.  The fur one I sewed the cuff down
too since that stuff makes a HUGE mess if you leave no seam. :-(  I don't
want the little man swallowing any of that.  I made the fleece one big,
which I think he plays with but I'm not too sure since it sits on the floor
of his cage and he doesn't usually play down there.  I put a jingle ball in
there and it was out so he must go in there sometime.  The other one I made
shelf size...about 9 inches wide by about 12-14 inches long and he LOVES
that one.  Probably since it can fit on the shelf or the fur.  He seems to
prefer fur over fleece.
 
I wouldn't mind having more detailed instructions of the fleece lined sleep
sacks though to make better sacks.  He may love them but they're not the
best to my standards.  Good for a first attempt and better than none
though. :-)  Now my little guy can get in and stay warm, wish I had thought
of them earlier.
 
For my next set I'm thinking of adding cross stitch or quilt type blocks
for the outside design.  Yes...I LOVE making stuff. :-)  So far I think
out of all the people/animals I ever made anything for, he's the most
appreciative.  :-) At least he uses them on a daily basis. :-)  I guess
I will just have to keep trying and see what his preferences are and sew
combinations that he likes.  I've been looking for things to make for
homemade toys too but so far I haven't hit on those too much.  What is a
crinkle sack and how do you make one of those?  He'd probably love one of
those since he loves stuff that makes noise.
 
Faith
[Posted in FML issue 3394]