Making Collars and Leashes

[Dori & Rua]

I am sorry if this is has already been discussed.  I want to make Rua some really cute collars and matching leashes!  I bought her a Celtic collar and leash from www.hotdogcollars.com but I paid almost $29 w/shipping.  In looking around, I can buy webbing, D-rings, tri-glides, contoured side-release buckles, and the snap barrel hook for the leash for under $3.00 per!  Adding the ribbon is the most costly part (the one below is patterned webbing verses a plain webbing and adding ribbon to it). 

 

Has anyone tackled this before?  For under $10.00 each (plus my "free labor"), it looks like I can buy all of the materials, including ribbon, to make a matching lease and collar.  I am also going to post this in Ring Around the Collar group.

 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Seems like the hardware alone would be hard to find and more costly than $3.00. Where have you fround these items?  I would love to make collars. I have a great sewing machine that would easily sew thru the webbing.

[Dori & Rua]

Sue, there is a website on ebay that sells stuff.  In order to get the cost to $3.00 per, it requires purchasing in bulk.  Since I would really like to make quite a number of different collars (so she has collars for almost every occasion - using ribbon on the webbing) and matching collars/leashes, I think that in the long run, it would be worth it.  Plus, I could make some to donate to our local humane society and I noticed a few of our pet stores & boutiques sell locally-made collars and leashes (not chains).  For around $252 (I think shipping is free and probably not taxed), you can purchase enough sets to make 100 collar and leash sets (using black plain webbing and plastic hardware with silver colored snap barrel hooks for the lease.  Just to make 50 collars, the price is under $85 for the items.  They also sell ribbon (which is sewn onto the webbing) and there are a number of websites that actually sell two-sided patterned webbing (you wouldn't need to sew ribbon onto webbing for .60/foot!  Perhaps we could get together a number of people that would like to split up the hardware/webbing side of things (having several different sizes available - 5/8", 3/4", 1" - whatever).  Thoughts?

[Dori & Rua]

Just to clarify...the collar and leash shown in the photo is the one I BOUGHT for almost $30.00!

[F, Calla & Luca]

It is very attractive!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Yes, I got that. Have you found any nice webbing materials?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I just put a big comment on Dori's page because I thought Dori had put this in the Ring Around the Collar Group only, of which I am not a member. Anyway I did make my own paracord leash and I have been planning to make one for Calla for ages. I have all the materials and need to get to it. Then I'll post it here! Here are picture of Luca's leash. Collars are trickier I think because they could chafe the dog's neck or get caught in fur. Besides they are covered by fur for the most part with my doodles. Here are some photos of Luca's leash which has been really durable, washable etc.

[Liz Syring]

I'd like to make the webbing collars that are like martingale collars, no chain, totally webbing and hardware. I like to use those collars on all my rescue foster dogs and would love to give each dog their own one to take home. The security feature would be priceless. I just purchased 3 martingale type collars with webbing and ribbon. It looks quite easy to replicate. I just didn't think I could find the hardware at a reasonable cost. If anyone has a link to the hardware I'd appreciate it. They actually would make a nice fundraiser for the DRC rescue pups.

Liz

[Dori & Rua]

Liz, try these two sites!

 

http://www.strapworks.com/product_p/pewpat1.htm

 

http://stores.ebay.com/Country-Brook-Design

 

I think that is an awesome idea!

[Kathy Janes]

Liz, I love the idea as a fund raiser!  My sewing maching is an antique and my time is scarce, but I'd easily spend $30 or even $40 on a nice leash and collar set where the proceeds went to DRC!  We might even be able to have our logo inprinted on some webbing and have logo sets!  Dori is certainly creative and talented, and I'm betting there are others out there.  Even if they were limited production and only took x number of orders a month so as not to be overwhelmed - its a great idea!

[Carol and Banjo]

I really love this leash F....I recall seeing it before and didn't realize you made it.   I've found flat leashes easier on my hands.....especially the cotton webbing kind....I'm wondering how this  feels....is it soft like cotton....or more prickly like some roping can be?   Where did you get it?   It's called "paracord"    I'd be very interested in doing something like this!   Love it!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks! The paracord is not really soft like cotton when braided but it's not at all scratchy either. I don't have any problem with it on my hands. I bought it online from an army surplus store. I will try to find my source but I did make a new one and put up a discussion.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/diydoityourself/forum/topics/para...

If you do make one and figure out a better handle "ending" let me know. I still consider them works in progress although they are our every day leashes.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You could try the Buy Sell, Trade group too.