National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day takes place every year on July 21. This year, we’re sharing a craft you can do to help out your local shelter or rescue!

This guest post is written by Deedee Townsend who has written for the PetMeds blog in the past as Bella Pomeranian. She has talked about Bella Blankies before, but here she goes into detail about how to sew your own blankets for rescues!

Easy Fleece Pet Blanket for Crafters

By Deedee Townsend

This is a very simple and easy pet blanket. The pattern can be adapted to almost any size; I have chosen a simple 2 foot wide by 3 foot long. This size is roughly the same size as a standard cutting mat, and I use my cutting mat as the “pattern” for cutting all my pieces into exactly the same size. It is a good size for cats and small dogs.

Fleece usually comes on a bolt folded down the center, so you will need approximately 1 yard of fabric (folded in half) for a 3 foot long blanket. Purchase a few inches extra so you can make sure your top and bottom edges can be trimmed evenly and straight. For added interest, purchase an attractive print and pair it with a complimentary solid. My photo example shows how I have paired a cute Dalmatian and fire hydrant motif with a solid in the same color family.

Fleece does have a wrong side and a right side, so you must determine which side looks best. Match the right sides together and cut to the desired size. The next step is to sew down the long sides, but leave the top two inches and bottom two inches open.

Next, turn the blanket right side out. If you did it right, the best side of the fleece will now be on the outside.

Next, sew the short edge closed with a 2 inch seam allowance at both top and bottom.  That 2 inch border will become the row of fringe.

Simply cut the fringe with scissors; half inch-wide strips work well.

Here is a simple drawing to accompany these instructions:

I have made over 700 of these blankets since July of 2010 and donated them to my favorite pet rescue as a fund raiser for them. They also make nice gifts to go home with a newly adopted dog.  Additionally, I will cut the long scraps into 1″ wide strips lengthwise and give them to my local veterinarians to use as e-collar ties.

In loving memory of our little Bella Pomeranian, the PetMeds Princess

If sewing isn’t your strong suit, you can see some other craft ideas below. Rescues and shelters are always in need of blankets, toys, treats, etc. so no matter your skill set and interests, you can find a way to help out.

• Cat scratchers
• Dog tug toys
• No-sew pet bed
• Dog treat dispenser
• Bandanas (sew and no-sew)
• Homemade dog treats