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.

 

[Liz Syring]

I've been thinking of making some leashes and collars (both martingale type and standard) and selling them as a fund raiser for labradoodle rescue. ( I haven't found the time yet, unfortunately).  You could send a percentage of the profits to the rescue group. I'm sure the folks at DRC would be more than happy to give  you a link on their site, and be very thankful for the donations to save more homeless doodles. Contact Adrienne Matzin here on DK.  Good luck.

[Dori & Rua]

I have been searching for 1" SMALL collars for Rua and the selection is so limited locally.  The few that I found were $32 - $40.  Even on-line, small 1" collars aren't all that common.  After Jane (Rooney & Stuart) posted a discussion on "How Many Is Too Many" regarding collars & leashes, I knew I needed to take the plunge and make them.

 

Last weekend I ordered the hardware and webbing from one place and some ribbon from another...they arrived Friday!  I am so excited.  To start with, I ordered enough hardware and webbing to make 20 collars and 10 leashes.  I only ordered 7/8" ribbon to make 5 different collars (though I have enough to make 2 of each) and 3 different leashes.  Note...the hardware and webbing (based on the small quanities I purchased) comes to $2.89 per collar and 4.84 per leash  (includes shipping)!  The ribbon varies, but the ribbon shown below (which is reversible), for one collar adds .70 (includes shipping).   I'll be actually making one pink dot and one green dot!  So, for $7.18, I have 2 collars.

 

 

 

I now how to measure out and create my instructions for how to make them.  These first two will be my tests.  I'll post a picture when I am done.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm looking forward to the results.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Any pictures Dori?

[Dori & Rua]

Sigh...not yet.  So, I measured out the webbing, seared the edges, gathered my hardware and went downstairs.  Oh, had to move the sewing machine out of the spare bedroom since I couldn't open it up to use.  Then, no pink thread (it has been many years since I sewed seriously, and SOMEWHERE in a box in the dark recesses of my storage area, I am sure I have more spools of thread than you can imagine...just can't find them.  So, then I had to go buy thread...damn, the stuff has gotten expensive since I last bought in in the 80's.

 

OK..so I sit down at my machine and need to wind pink thread onto the bobbin.  Crap, my bobbin winder won't work.

 

Figure I should look for a new machine, since I got this one for my graduation present in 1973.  Wow...are the machines either really cheap and cheaply made, or really expensive and way more than I need for sewing a collar and leash.

 

Wednesday I took my sewing machine in for an estimate.  They said they would have an estimate this coming Wednesday.  I'll have to decide from there what to do.

 

I would love to design a DK collar and leash set, but I don't think the new logo works well for something as small as a collar.  I think, though, that finding ribbon/trim that says "I LOVE MY DOODLE" would work, so I am going to hunt for that.  Or, maybe I buy a really good machine and embroider that, along with the Doodle's name on the collar and leash...custom of course.

 

Thanks for following up.  Hopefully, in a few weeks, I can make a few collars.  I need to make a birthday one for Rua!  :-)