For those of you who sew.... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

mapetty · 04-17-2007, 10:26 AM

Okay, this is going to sound really stupid

I want to make Summerlin some leashes to match her dresses. Here's the thing - the only leashes I have are from places like PetSmart, the nylon or leather kind. I know it is possible to make leashes out of material or ribbon - I have seen them, I am just not sure of the way to do it. Does anyone here make their own leashes? I would think that if I sew the ribbon down both edges, with it folded in half, that part would work, but it would not be as strong as a regular leash... how do I overcome that part of the problem? Any suggestions would bre greatly appreciated!

chele · 04-17-2007, 10:43 AM

hi, I can sew some I made oscar a few vest/harnesses and can work on human clothes. I would think that depending on what ribbon you get it should be fine just try it somewhere that if it does break or seems too weak it won't be a problem. We try out our leashes in the living room before we go out.
another option that may be easier to make the leashes match without being as much worry would be to make a sorta leash cover.
get some material that matches and just sew it together like a tube or like a sock without the toes sewn up. if you make it twice as long as the leash it will "bunch up" so any sewing mistakes wouldn't be as obvoius. then on the ends you could sew a small drawstring to make sure it stays in place.Then you could just put it over a leash you already have. Wouldn't have to worry about all those different hooks for the leashes.

LuvtheCooper · 04-17-2007, 10:57 AM

oooh, that sounds like a good idea....a leash cover!!

chele · 04-17-2007, 11:06 AM

lol not sure I got the description quite right but I can see it perfectly in my mind.

mapetty · 04-17-2007, 11:07 AM

Ooooh..... that is a super idea! Have you actually tried that or did you just think of it? The leash cover, I mean? I will have to give that a shot, then I wouldn't have to find a place to hang a gazillion leashes, I could just throw the leash cover in the drawer, and probably in the washer too! Thanks!!!

Pipersmommy · 04-17-2007, 11:24 AM

I don't sew, but what I would do if I could. Walmart has leashes for $2.50 to $3.00. I would go & purchase a bunch of those & take the material you want & cover them. Sounds easy enough.

PuppyLovinNurse · 04-17-2007, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chele

hi, I can sew some I made oscar a few vest/harnesses and can work on human clothes. I would think that depending on what ribbon you get it should be fine just try it somewhere that if it does break or seems too weak it won't be a problem. We try out our leashes in the living room before we go out.
another option that may be easier to make the leashes match without being as much worry would be to make a sorta leash cover.
get some material that matches and just sew it together like a tube or like a sock without the toes sewn up. if you make it twice as long as the leash it will "bunch up" so any sewing mistakes wouldn't be as obvoius. then on the ends you could sew a small drawstring to make sure it stays in place.Then you could just put it over a leash you already have. Wouldn't have to worry about all those different hooks for the leashes.

GREAT idea!

You could use ribbon for the drawstring & have a pretty bow

chele · 04-17-2007, 12:01 PM

I made one before but oscar hates clothes so didn't have a need for anymore. and yes you can just throw them in the washer no problem at all I think one could even be made for the retractable leashes (would have to look at the one I have to see how to attach the top part)
lol now that I'm home again with TOO much free time maybe I should go into the leash cover business.

Mitzis Mom · 04-17-2007, 12:08 PM

Actually I make those kind of matching leashes. I take a strong webbing or grosgrain and cover it up with the fabric of choice. In the sewing department they often have leash clips. Just make sure you sew it on really good (with a very tight zick-zack...) As a special feature my leashes have a clip to open and close on the handle so if you like to fasten the leash around a table leg or something you dont have to make a knot.

(This leash was to match Annie's 'dirndl' dress...)

Mitzis Mom · 04-17-2007, 12:10 PM

This is Annie's 'dirndl' dress...

LawDog Bows · 04-18-2007, 07:03 AM

I've bought instructions kit from this website before for the leash and the collar.

http://cdwplus.com/index.html

They also sell the hardware if you're unable to locate it locally.

Hope that helps!

Connie

www.lawdogbows.com

10% discount for YT members enter the word YORKIETALK in coupon/voucher box during checkout!!!

mistyinca · 04-18-2007, 07:13 AM

Make sure you cut your fabric on the bias (diagonal). I use one of those quilt-cutting mats and a rotary cutter. The reason you want it on the bias is it makes the fabric stronger. if one thread breaks, it is not running the whole length of the leash or collar. I've made a couple of collars (haven't tried a leash yet), and the first one I just folded the fabric in half, folded toward the center, then folded in again, so it was four layers all together. The second one I did the same way, but I also used fusible interfacing on the back side of the fabric. This made it perfect.

Monday · 04-19-2007, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitzis Mom

Actually I make those kind of matching leashes. I take a strong webbing or grosgrain and cover it up with the fabric of choice. In the sewing department they often have leash clips. Just make sure you sew it on really good (with a very tight zick-zack...) As a special feature my leashes have a clip to open and close on the handle so if you like to fasten the leash around a table leg or something you dont have to make a knot.

(This leash was to match Annie's 'dirndl' dress...)

Oh Sonja, you did it again ... outsmarted the smart!!!

Is she the genius of the year or not???

Now, truthfully, did you think of that or did Mitzi??? hmmm hmmm????

Mitzis Mom · 04-19-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monday

Oh Sonja, you did it again ... outsmarted the smart!!!

Is she the genius of the year or not???

Now, truthfully, did you think of that or did Mitzi??? hmmm hmmm????

of course it was the advisory zoo!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, Friday, Womi, Casi, Maidlin, Maybelline, Smudge, Kat and Dawg....

Monday · 04-19-2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitzis Mom

of course it was the advisory zoo!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, Friday, Womi, Casi, Maidlin, Maybelline, Smudge, Kat and Dawg....

See, already I forgot Kat and Dawg! Good thing you remembered ....

(but since they are on your consuting board and advisory zoo,
hmmm - you speak to them more???) ...

And therefore you are the smart one!

AND the talented one.

woot woot ...

we got TEN all together????

04-17-2007, 10:26 AM	#1
mapetty Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 304	For those of you who sew.... Okay, this is going to sound really stupid I want to make Summerlin some leashes to match her dresses. Here's the thing - the only leashes I have are from places like PetSmart, the nylon or leather kind. I know it is possible to make leashes out of material or ribbon - I have seen them, I am just not sure of the way to do it. Does anyone here make their own leashes? I would think that if I sew the ribbon down both edges, with it folded in half, that part would work, but it would not be as strong as a regular leash... how do I overcome that part of the problem? Any suggestions would bre greatly appreciated! __________________ Loving Summerlin and Savannah Daily....

04-17-2007, 10:43 AM	#2
chele Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: west virginia Posts: 144	hi, I can sew some I made oscar a few vest/harnesses and can work on human clothes. I would think that depending on what ribbon you get it should be fine just try it somewhere that if it does break or seems too weak it won't be a problem. We try out our leashes in the living room before we go out. another option that may be easier to make the leashes match without being as much worry would be to make a sorta leash cover. get some material that matches and just sew it together like a tube or like a sock without the toes sewn up. if you make it twice as long as the leash it will "bunch up" so any sewing mistakes wouldn't be as obvoius. then on the ends you could sew a small drawstring to make sure it stays in place.Then you could just put it over a leash you already have. Wouldn't have to worry about all those different hooks for the leashes. __________________ "Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog." The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog

04-17-2007, 10:57 AM	#3
LuvtheCooper & LuvtheCarley too! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wa State/Texas Posts: 1,625	oooh, that sounds like a good idea....a leash cover!! __________________ Delaina Cooper & Carley

04-17-2007, 11:06 AM	#4
chele Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: west virginia Posts: 144	lol not sure I got the description quite right but I can see it perfectly in my mind. __________________ "Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog." The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog

04-17-2007, 11:07 AM	#5
mapetty Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 304	Ooooh..... that is a super idea! Have you actually tried that or did you just think of it? The leash cover, I mean? I will have to give that a shot, then I wouldn't have to find a place to hang a gazillion leashes, I could just throw the leash cover in the drawer, and probably in the washer too! Thanks!!! __________________ Loving Summerlin and Savannah Daily....

04-17-2007, 11:24 AM	#6
Pipersmommy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SW Fl Posts: 1,808	I don't sew, but what I would do if I could. Walmart has leashes for $2.50 to $3.00. I would go & purchase a bunch of those & take the material you want & cover them. Sounds easy enough. __________________ Debbie (mommy to) Misha, Piper & Maximillion

04-17-2007, 12:01 PM	#8
chele Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: west virginia Posts: 144	I made one before but oscar hates clothes so didn't have a need for anymore. and yes you can just throw them in the washer no problem at all I think one could even be made for the retractable leashes (would have to look at the one I have to see how to attach the top part) lol now that I'm home again with TOO much free time maybe I should go into the leash cover business. __________________ "Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog." The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog

04-17-2007, 12:08 PM	#9
Mitzis Mom No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,837	Actually I make those kind of matching leashes. I take a strong webbing or grosgrain and cover it up with the fabric of choice. In the sewing department they often have leash clips. Just make sure you sew it on really good (with a very tight zick-zack...) As a special feature my leashes have a clip to open and close on the handle so if you like to fasten the leash around a table leg or something you dont have to make a knot. (This leash was to match Annie's 'dirndl' dress...) Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Mitzis Mom; 04-17-2007 at 12:10 PM.

04-17-2007, 12:10 PM	#10
Mitzis Mom No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,837	This is Annie's 'dirndl' dress... Attached Thumbnails

04-18-2007, 07:03 AM	#11
LawDog Bows Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oklahoma~~I'm an OKIE from Muskogee :) Posts: 234	Website with Instructions/Hardware I've bought instructions kit from this website before for the leash and the collar. http://cdwplus.com/index.html They also sell the hardware if you're unable to locate it locally. Hope that helps! Connie www.lawdogbows.com 10% discount for YT members enter the word YORKIETALK in coupon/voucher box during checkout!!!

04-18-2007, 07:13 AM	#12
mistyinca No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA Posts: 4,143 Blog Entries: 2	Make sure you cut your fabric on the bias (diagonal). I use one of those quilt-cutting mats and a rotary cutter. The reason you want it on the bias is it makes the fabric stronger. if one thread breaks, it is not running the whole length of the leash or collar. I've made a couple of collars (haven't tried a leash yet), and the first one I just folded the fabric in half, folded toward the center, then folded in again, so it was four layers all together. The second one I did the same way, but I also used fusible interfacing on the back side of the fabric. This made it perfect.