Webbing, ribbon, hardware, a couple of hours, and you can make your very own boutique style dog collar and leash. This is such a fun and easy project, you'll be offering to make them for all your canine friends. Of course, it's not just for dogs! That's Dexter, one of our French Alpine goats, stylin' our collar, and I think he's saying, "I HEART Sew4Home." Ahhhhh, thanks, Dex.

Our collar was really made for our sweet mutt, Elaine. Her neck measures 20". The finished collar adjusts from approximately 18" to 22", so these instructions would fit a great many pups. To be sure, measure your own dog's neck. You want the collar to be snug, so it can't slip off over the dog's head, but not so tight that you can't slide your finger easily underneath the collar. Measure your dog's neck, then add 10" to give you the 4" of adjustment from smaller to larger. For example, Elaine's neck measured 20", so 20"+ 10" = 30".

We used an invisible thread on top to stitch the ribbon to the webbing. This is not mandatory, but is a nicer look against the ribbon. For best results, you may need to loosen your upper tension slightly. It's also a good idea to lengthen your stitch and sew at a slow and even pace. This type of thread does not stretch as well as regular thread and can break more easily under pressure, especially if it accidentally slides off the spool and wraps around the spool pin. Using a spool cap against the spool helps hold it in place on the pin, and again, going slowly and evenly helps the thread to feed correctly off the spool. If you'd prefer not to use invisible thread, we won't get mad. But, we will suggest you choose a color of thread for the top that matches your ribbon and a color that matches the webbing for the bobbin.

There are TONS of great ribbon choices out there. We used a brand new ribbon from Renaissance Ribbons with cute little clown fish riding the waves, and we thank our friends there for providing the ribbon needed for this project. The Renaissance Ribbons website is open to the public, but only accepts wholesale orders online. You can find their ribbons at Fabritopia and Hancocks of Paducah among other retailers. This clown fish ribbon might be a wee bit hard to find right now because it is so new, but don't let that stop you; you're sure to find something else just as cute. Another great online ribbon resource with TONS to choose from is Ribbon Retreat.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome 2160DC)
• #14-16 denim needle: recommended over a universal needle to best penetrate the tough webbing material
• ¼" Seam foot: optional

Fabric and Other Supplies

We have split the ingredient lists for the collar and leash. If you decide, as we did, to make both and have them match, simply combine the yardage of the ribbon and webbing.

• 1 yard of 7/8" ribbon: we used Clown Fish on the Waves, brand new from Renaissance Ribbons
• 1 yard of 1" nylon webbing: we used regular weight nylon in black from The Rain Shed
  NOTE: For a dog with a neck larger than 24", get 1½ yards each of the ribbon and webbing.
• Hardware: we used accessories from local Oregon company, The Rain Shed. They had one of the best, least expensive selections we found anywhere. They offer online ordering and we highly recommend them.
  One 1" D-ring: we used The Rain Shed's Acetal D-ring
  One 1" single-adjust, side-release buckle: we used The Rain Shed's Acetal Curved Side Release Buckle
  One 1" slide/strap adjuster: we used The Rain Shed's Acetal Wide-Mouth Triglide

Leash ingredients (makes a 6' leash):

• 2½ yards of 7/8" ribbon: w e used Clown Fish on the Waves, brand new from Renaissance Ribbons
• 2½ yards of 1" nylon webbing: we used regular weight nylon in black from The Rain Shed
• One 1" swivel snap hook: we used The Rain Shed's Acetal Swivelhook

Other ingredients required for both:

• Thread: we used all-purpose thread to match the webbing in the bobbin, and a .004 monofilament polyester invisible thread in the top in smoke
• Fusible seam tape, such as Stitch Witchery or SteamASeam
• Tape measure
• See-through ruler
• Seam gauge
• Fabric pen or pencil
• Iron and ironing board
• Scissors
• Straight pins

Getting Started

For the purposes of these instructions, I am going to assume you are making BOTH the collar and the leash.

1. Using our measuring notes above, cut the the pieces for the dog collar. In our sample, we cut our webbing at 30" and the ribbon at 30¾".
2. Cut the pieces for the 6' leash. The webbing should be cut at 7 feet, 2½". The ribbon should be cut at 7 feet, 3¼".
3. Melt all the ends of the webbing to prevent fraying. To do this, simply pass the end of the webbing through the flame of a lighter several times. It doesn't take much heat.
   
4. Thread your machine with thread to match your webbing in the bobbin and invisible thread in the top.

At Your Sewing Machine

1. Following manufacturer's instructions, adhere a strip of fusible seam tape to the center of the collar webbing and leash webbing.
   
2. Layer the ribbon on top, right side up and centered, so approximately 3/8" extends beyond the webbing on each end. Fuse the ribbon to the webbing.
3. Wrap the raw ends of the ribbon around to the back of the webbing and fuse in place.
   
4. Stitch the ribbon to the webbing along both sides of the collar and the leash, approximately ¼" from the edge of the webbing. We used our ¼" seam foot to keep a nice straight line.
   

Finishing the collar

1. Lay out a tape measure flat on your work surface.
2. Thread the collar through all the hardware. First slip on the D-ring and the slide, then thread the collar through both ends of the buckle.
   
3. Fold back the ends until the length equals your finished length (20" in our sample). The fold-back of the side with the adjuster slide should be a great deal longer than the fold-back on the side with the D-ring. In our sample, the left side folded back 8" and the right side 3".
   
4. Feed the long end back through the back side of the slider. Check your length measurement again to confirm it's still correct. Re-adjust as necessary.
   
5. Use a small piece of the fusible seam tape to adhere the left end of the collar to the back of the adjuster loop and the right end of the collar to the back of the webbing.
   
6. Stitch both ends in place with two lines of vertical stitching. I stitched forwards and backwards three to four times to make sure the stitching would stand up to lots of tugging.
   
7. Your pretty collar is all done.
   

Finishing the leash

1. To create the leash handle, fold one end back 11½". Place a pin 2½" from the end. Adhere with a small piece of fusible seam tape. 
   
2. Feed the other end through the swivel hook and fold back 3". Adhere with a small piece of fusible seam tape.
   
3. Stitch a rectangular box with an "X" through the middle to secure and reinforce both the folded back end at the swivel clip and the 2 ½" you originally measured and marked with a pin at the loop end..
   
   

Hints and Tips

Be Green!

When this collar or leash starts to show wear, simply cut off the webbing/ribbon and reuse the hardware to make a new one. Good quality hardware lasts a long time. Or, make your new collar and/or leash using hardware salvaged from an existing old set you may have on hand.

Contributors
Project Design: Alicia Thommas  
Sample Creation and Instructional Outline: Liz Johnson

Other machines suitable for this project include the Singer 7422 Advance and the Pfaff select 3.0.

Comments (25)

Jkaut58 said:

... Thank you so much for this post. I will be making dog collars and leashes to give to shelter animals. This will be my first sewing project so I really appreciate the detailed instructions. Great post!!!!

February 03, 2012

Charlie Dawg :) said:

... GREAT TUTORIAL!!! This summer, I'll be saving up for a horse by selling dog collars and leashes, and this tutorial helped me SO much! Thanks! I've been looking all over for a good tutorial like this, and you are so detailed! Once again, thanks!!

December 28, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... @Marley's Mommy -- It sounds like 1/2" would be a good option for you little pup. You could substitute metal hardware if you are having trouble finding the plastic.

May 17, 2011

Marley's Mommy said:

... I cant wait to make these! My mother in law owns a grooming store and I want to put some it there! I have one question, My dog is a toy poodle only about 11 weeks old. should I use 1/2 inch hardware and webbing you think? I have a hard time finding 1/2 inch size ribbon, but I believe I need thinner anyhow, with 1/2 inch webbing.. which it does come in.. thanks so much, will do soon.

May 17, 2011

ewallace said:

... I made 3 of these sets. Your instructions are so detailed. Thanks for such a great post!

March 01, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Laura -- so glad to know another goatie will get a handsome new collar

November 16, 2010

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage said:

... This caught my eye because we have a goat, Miriam, that looks like yours. She too has a collar. It's in need of replacement. I'm going to add a link to this tutorial on my blog under "Tutorials I want to try!"

November 15, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Pearl -- thanks for the post on your blog!

October 29, 2010

beadinggem said:

... This is a super tutorial. Thanks for sharing. I will link in a future blog post so others can come visit! Pearl http://www.beadinggem.com

October 29, 2010

Mosaic Magpie said:

... Loved the tutorial. I have made dog and cat collars before and this tutorial was direct and to the point. Well done. I have purchased high quality plastic collar clasps to use on mine with no problems reported. I have also taken older collars apart to reuse exsisting hardware. Debbie

September 14, 2010

Teal said:

... wow this was very helpful, thank you!!

September 10, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Thanks, Aloha2U ... an embroidered collar would be very classy. So glad you found us. Come back often.

August 17, 2010

Aloha2U said:

... Your instructions are the best I've found. Very clear and easy to use. I've been making embroidered (names) collars and keyrings. Thanks.

August 17, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Kristen -- Happy Birthday to your doggie-dog. I'm so happy you chose our project as a gift

July 26, 2010

Kristen said:

... I am so excited about this project! My dog's bday is coming up in a few weeks, what a great excuse to make it! I just finished completing my order on The Rain Shed! Thanks for the tutorial!

July 26, 2010

puppylovepreschool said:

... ohmygosh, your goat is adorable!

July 24, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Thanks for your note, CAL. Guess we must have super calm dogs (and goats). I've never used a harness, so I don't have experience with that. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any tutorials out there either for a harness. Sounds like you've done a great job making one out of fabric; I bet you could substitute webbing and use a similar technique to what we describe above to add the pretty ribbon.

July 21, 2010

CAL said:

... A great tutorial - very kind of you to share. There are so many beautiful ribbons on the market! I would like to make one comment though. To avoid injuries, I never attach a leash to the collar, but to a harness only (unless your dog never pulls on the leash). We call our dog's collar a necklace, because it is used for identification purposes only (dog tags). Would love to see a harness tutorial. Have you come across one online? I've made fabric harnesses based on her existing harness, but one made out of ribbon would be great - especially for the hotter months of the year.

July 21, 2010

Obied said:

... I have been looking for something to jump start my interest in sewing again. I have been out of the loop of my beloved hobby for so long. This will do it. I am so going to get some of those hooks and loops and cool "doogie" ribons and fabric and get started again. Thanks for the tip and giving me the "viola" to get going again.

July 20, 2010

GG Gifts said:

... WOW, this is fantastic, we use collars on all our goats (some of them are a wild bunch and hard to catch) so for us the plastic would suit just in case one should get caught on something. I love it.

July 20, 2010

Grandma G said:

... Here is some really cute doggie ribbon, especially if you happen to have a dachsund!

July 19, 2010

alicia.thommas said:

... Whether you prefer metal or plastic components, they both come in good and poor quality. Poor quality metal bends, and poor quality plastic breaks. The Acetel plastic we chose has extremely high tensile strength, but another benefit is that it's very lightweight and remains comfortable-to-the-touch in the sun. As Sheltie Girl says, if you use a metal D-ring, only a welded D-ring is appropriate for a dog collar.

July 19, 2010

Carolynlvs2sew said:

... Just what I needed! Made collars for my DD's dog before I had a dog. Now that I have a dog can't find the instructions.

July 19, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Sheltie Girl, Thanks for the input! We did do quite a bit of research on metal versus plastic and ultimately decided on plastic. But, we purchased the very high quality plastic used for climbing and outdoor gear, which is why we recommended the supplier above. I totally agree that a cheap plastic would be a bad idea. I am grateful for your points, though, especially for those situations where a dog could panic. And, good suggestion to look at a tack shop or livestock supply store. We've shopped in these stores before to find metal buckles and rings for our bag projects. Thanks again for your helpful tips.

July 19, 2010

Sheltie Girl said:

... I am happy to see this project. I have been making my dog's sweaters, leashes, collars, harnesses and beds for years. It is so easy. However based on my experience, may I point out that using a plastic ring on the collar and a plastic hook on the leash can be a huge mistake. If the dog panics, these items will break, allowing the dog to run free. Instead buy a welded ring and metal snap hook from a livestock supply store. Even a metal ring that is not welded will straighten out and release the dog. Otherwise, go for it! It is fun to have a dog with one of a kind, eye popping accessories. And don't forget to make a short leash to fasten to the car's seat belt for your dog. Never "seat belt" them with a collar; always use a harness.

July 19, 2010

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