Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

How to make a cat collar with minimal sewing

Paige Cerulli
By

If your cat needs a new collar, you don’t necessarily have to head to the local pet store for it. In fact, DIY cat collars aren’t just convenient; they’re also fun to make and let you put your creative touch on your kitty’s wardrobe. When you learn to make your own cat collars, the options are unlimited. Choose from a wide array of fabrics and colors and try out festive holiday-themed patterns. Decorate the collars with extra bling and bow ties to help your cat’s purr-sonal style stand out. The following steps will teach you how to make a cat collar, even if you don’t have a sewing machine or aren’t the best sewer. There are only a few stitches involved, we promise.

Black and white cat wearing a pink collar

What you’ll need

You’ll want to have all the following supplies ready so you can make the collar in one sitting:

  • Fabric measuring 15 inches by 1½ inches
  • Fabric scissors
  • Iron
  • Stitch Witchery fusible bonding measuring 15 inches  by 5/8 inches
  • Fabric pins (optional)
  • Damp cloth
  • Cat collar accessories, including a breakaway buckle, size adjustment, and leash attachment
  • Needle and thread
Recommended Videos

You can find most of these supplies at your local arts and crafts or sewing supply store. You might have to special-order the collar accessories online.

Related

Choose and cut your fabric

Select a fabric that will look great against your cat’s coat. Bright material will stand out, which can be helpful if your cat ever loses the collar. Alternatively, consider making themed collars for holidays and special occasions.

Once you’ve picked your fabric, start by cutting it so that it measures 15 inches by 1½ inches. This will make a collar that can be adjusted to fit most cats.

Fold your fabric

Place your fabric upside down on the table so the nonprint side is facing you. Fold each edge, lengthwise, into the middle. Then, fold the entire piece in half lengthwise. Iron the fabric to crease these folds.

Add your Stitch Witchery

Cut a piece of Stitch Witchery so that it measures 15 inches long.

Next, put the Stitch Witchery inside the collar so that it makes contact with the open sides of the folds when you fold them down. The idea here is that the Stitch Witchery will hold those folds closed instead of your having to sew the entire collar. This can take a little maneuvering, so you might want to insert some fabric pins to hold the whole thing in place.

Iron your collar closed

With the Stitch Witchery in place, you’ll need to iron the entire collar to seal it. It’s best to do this in small sections.

Starting at one end of the collar, put the damp cloth over the collar and steam-press the section for approximately 10 seconds. Check to make sure that the fabric has been sealed closed. Your iron will need to be on a higher setting to accomplish this, but gradually work your way up in the settings so that you don’t burn the fabric.

Once one section is sealed, repeat the process with the remaining sections of the collar.

Black and white cat sitting in a window wearing a collar

Add the hardware

Start by threading the collar through one end of the buckle. Hand-sew two lines behind the buckle to secure it to the collar, then trim off any excess fabric.

Next, you’ll need to thread the opposite end of the collar through the adjustment piece, through the end of the other buckle, and then back into the adjustment piece. You’ll then repeat the sewing process, sewing together the last bit of collar that you threaded through the underside of the adjustment piece. Make sure that you sew that piece onto the bottom/inner loop of the collar that will be closest to your cat’s neck. If you sew it to the outer loop, you won’t be able to adjust the collar’s size.

You can add a collar loop simply by pushing it over one of the buckle pieces and onto the collar.

When adding your hardware, pay attention to the curve of the hardware. Most pieces are designed to curve inward for your cat’s comfort, so it’s important to attach them correctly.

Before sewing any of the hardware pieces into place, align everything and pin it in position. This will let you visually confirm that the collar is constructed correctly before you do any sewing.

Accessorize

If you’d like, you can add decorations and accessories to the collar. Consider adding a bow, a little glitter, or even some gems with adhesive backs for an extra-special touch.

Making your own cat collars can be a fun activity, and it ensures that you’ll always have an extra collar around in case your cat loses his. When designing your collars, make sure they fit your cat appropriately. You should be able to fit two fingers between his collar and his neck. It’s also important to be sure that you’re buying buckles with a safety release, just in case your cat ever gets caught up on something. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different designs and fabrics and to customize the width so that it’s just right for your cat. With his custom-made collars, your kitty will be stylish, fashionable, and safe, too.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
Can cats eat blueberries? What you need to know
Are blueberries safe for cats? Find out here
Cat with blueberries

As a cat parent, you may be interested in incorporating fruit into your fur baby's diet. Many fruits can provide nutritional benefits for your feline companion, but can cats eat blueberries? We have some good news. One of your favorite superfoods is perfectly safe for your cat to eat in moderation, but before you share blueberries with your kitty, you should be aware of the potential side effects. We'll walk you through everything you need to know about giving your cat blueberries.
Benefits of giving blueberries to cats
Blueberries are a low-calorie fruit packed with vitamins and minerals, making them a healthy treat for your kitty. An excellent source of vitamin C and antioxidants, blueberries can help boost your cat's immune system and prevent infections. Additionally, blueberries are high in fiber, which can aid in digestion and help even regulate your kitty's bowel movements.

In terms of minerals, blueberries contain essential nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Potassium is essential for healthy muscle function, as it can help regulate blood pressure, while magnesium is necessary for bone and muscle health. Lastly, manganese helps support your cat's metabolism.
Potential risks
While blueberries can provide some nutritional benefits for cats, it's also important to keep in mind that they should only be given in moderation. Too many blueberries can cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting in some cats. Also, the seeds and skin of blueberries can be potentially harmful to cats if ingested in large quantities. The seeds can cause digestive problems, and the skin can be difficult to digest for some cats, leading to digestive discomfort.

Read more
Watch this clever cat try to teach their pet parent how cat toys work
She wants to teach her human how to play with the dangly toy
Kitten plays with a yarn ball on a string

We love playing with our pets, and they seem to love it back. While dogs might enjoy endlessly chasing a ball or tugging at a rope, cats typically gravitate toward more obvious hunting games. That's why plenty of cat toys involve a small mouse, sometimes stuffed with catnip or another intriguing smell. You can also find cat toys that dangle on a string, something like a fishing pole, for the feline to bat and bite. Well, this particularly clever cat has decided it's her human who needs to practice and is determined to play a little game with him.

We can't exactly tell if this kitty was absentmindedly playing with her toy or if she's a diabolical genius who has set out to teach human owners a lesson; commenters seemed to lean toward the first (and we do too). In the video, the little mouser sits atop a sofa and playfully waves her toy in front of her owner, clearly trying to get him to swing at it. This clip is entitled "Derp has turned the tables playing with derp daddy" and was posted to the Animals Being Derps subreddit, a place for some particularly funny pics and videos of pets.

Read more
Family member allergic to cats? Where to find hypoallergenic cats for adoption
Can you have a cat with your allergies? Yes, and here's how
Bengal cat peering around a row of potted plants

While our opinions may differ on innumerable issues, there is one universal constant we can all agree on: No one enjoys suffering from allergies. If you're dealing with itchy eyes, a running nose, constant sneezing, coughing, wheezing, or even hives, then you're suffering from an allergy to something in your immediate environment.
Maybe it's just pollen, but it can also be... your cat. Cat allergies are relatively common, but just because someone in your family has cat allergies doesn't mean you have to give up your dream of being a cat parent. From bathing your cat to allergy treatments, there are a few tips you can use to limit exposure to allergens. Even better, you might even find the purr-fect solution waiting for you in a local shelter. Keep reading to learn more about hypoallergenic cats for adoption.

How do you adopt a cat if you have allergies?
If you're allergic to cats, it's important to understand just what is prompting an allergic reaction. NBC10 Boston explains that while many people believe that cat hair creates an allergic reaction, they're actually more likely reacting to cat dander, saliva, tears, and urine. Your cat releases an allergen called "Fel d 1" every time he grooms himself or uses the litter box. That allergen gets sent into the air, and it also lands on your cat's skin and hair. When you breathe that air or touch the hair or dander that contains that allergen, you may have an allergic reaction.

Read more