Homemade Holiday Collars

you will need

1. three-quarters to one yard of 2-3” wide seasonal ribbon (or less, depending on the size of your pup)
2. same amount of 1” wide white elastic
3. scissors
4. sewing machine and needle and thread
5. bells or added decorations (please consider your dog when adding things like bells, if they are likely to chew and swallow decorations; please do not attach them to the collar)

directions

1. Measure your dog’s neck and add an inch or two.
2. Cut two pieces of ribbon to this size and one piece of the elastic to the same size.
3. If the ribbon has a decorative side, lay the two pieces on top of each other with the patterns facing together. You will have to invert the ribbon pattern by pulling it through after you have sewn the long edges together (a safety pin attached to one side helps.)
4. If the ribbon is plain or patterned the same on each side, simply lay the ribbon down with the elastic between the two and sew the long edges together.
5. Stitch each long side about 1/8” from the edge of the ribbon being careful not to catch the elastic edge.
6. Gather the ribbon (scrunch it up) and place it around your dog’s neck to get the proper fit.
7. Cut to fit, leaving about a half inch extra on each side.
8. Hand-sew the two ends together.
9. Add decorations as you wish making sure both little children and puppies won’t swallow tiny pieces.