Materials For Making Own Piggie Beds?

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Cute_Guineapigs

Cute_Guineapigs

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Hi

I'm looking at making my own beds for my guinea pigs. I'm going to purchase a sewing machine, but I'm wondering what materials I can use for the beds?

Are these suitable for inside the beds?
Pre-Pack Polyester Craft Wadding | Hobbycraft

Are foamboards suitable for making igloos?
West Design A2 White Foam Board | Hobbycraft

I'm also hoping to make bottle pads. What absorbent material can I use inside the pad?

Can any fleece material be used? Can I use cotton on the outside of the beds? Christmas Tartan Fat Quarters | Hobbycraft

Thanks for any help and suggestions. Any designs would also be much appreciated.
 
One of the best things I've seen made are "snuggle sacks" and you can make them without sewing and they're easy to clean all you will need is a pillow case and a fleece.
1) take your pillow case and line the inside of it with the fleece (you will need to fold the fleece so it fits in the pillow case nicely)
2) take the opening of the pillow case and fold it down wards to secure the fleece in place inside case.
Here's the link to a video of someone (not me, this is not my video just one I found) making one if you find it easier to watch things being made rather than just reading instructions :) hope this helps you
 
I get fleeces from wilko/QD/B and M/ Stuff the kids have grown out of and old towels to make stuff for the piggies, so far they have a sleeping bag and a hammock. I am half way through a pigloo but my sewing machine is currently being repaired! Fleece is around £6 a metre whereas a 1/5m fleece blanket is a few pounds, if that I just ordered 3 or these: Buy Leaves Fleece Throw 120x150cm Green/Grey - Online at QD Stores
 
Hi, I make all my fleece liners and beds and I use any fleece really with a towel sewn in as an absorbant layer and I've always used 6oz or 8oz polyester wadding from eBay as only around a fiver for a few metres. For foam you may be better using this:
UPHOLSTERY FOAM SHEET. HIGH / MEDIUM DENSITY. 60" x 20" ANY THICKNESS SIZE
I'd get the 1/2 inch, not sure foam board is flexible for sewing. This is what I'm ordering to do my next ones fro structure as wadding hasn't been sturdy enough for really shaped things :)
 
Hi, I use batting/wadding for the inside, and fleece with decorative material. Making beds are fun!

Here is one that I made to sell!
427531706.jpg


Tutorial here:
Only I'm having so much trouble with my sewing machine! Its fine with straight stitch, but when I turn it to zigzag, it jams! Yesterday I broke the needle!

Hope this helped!
 
Courtneyyyleex said:
One of the best things I've seen made are "snuggle sacks" and you can make them without sewing and they're easy to clean all you will need is a pillow case and a fleece.
Click to expand...

These snuggle sacks are brilliant, thank you! This is our first winter with our little girls and I've been really worried about keeping them warm since the cold weather started setting in. I've brought them indoors a few times but they do seem to prefer the extra room in the outdoor hutch.

I've been struggling to find a suitably warm sleeping solution in the pet shops, and although I love making things for the girls I'm not good at sewing, but I know they're going to love this! That's my project for tomorrow sorted...!
 
I'm the opposite, its gotten so warm here in Dunedin that I'm struggling to keep my guineas nice and cool.
 
Chuckie J said:
These snuggle sacks are brilliant, thank you! This is our first winter with our little girls and I've been really worried about keeping them warm since the cold weather started setting in. I've brought them indoors a few times but they do seem to prefer the extra room in the outdoor hutch.

I've been struggling to find a suitably warm sleeping solution in the pet shops, and although I love making things for the girls I'm not good at sewing, but I know they're going to love this! That's my project for tomorrow sorted...!
Click to expand...
You're very welcome! Post a picture when your done so we can see:)
 
I meant to ask what would be best for washing the fleece and pillow cases? I'm presuming it's bad for the piggies to use normal detergent?
 
I use non bio un scented liquid with a capful of oxi action type powder stuff which kills 99.9% bacteria on a low temperature :) I know some people put white vinegar in but I've never tried this myself
 
HansPiggies said:
I use non bio un scented liquid with a capful of oxi action type powder stuff which kills 99.9% bacteria on a low temperature :) I know some people put white vinegar in but I've never tried this myself
Click to expand...

I put in white vinegar sometimes! It's supposed to help reduce cling isn't it?
 
Loobyg83 said:
I broke 4 this weekend before finally admitting it needed to see a machine doctor! Hoping to get it back tomorrow!
Click to expand...
it could be that you need a tougher needle.. i snapped about 10 in a row sewing fleece things ! very annoying..
 
@HansPiggies i am wanting to make a igloo type house but can't find a pattern/tutorial.. do you have any ideas ? I want to make something with some structure..
 
artcasper said:
@HansPiggies i am wanting to make a igloo type house but can't find a pattern/tutorial.. do you have any ideas ? I want to make something with some structure..
Click to expand...
I'm not sure, I am going to attempt one myself after Christmas when I get some more fleece and foam...I'm thinking you'd have to sew panels separately and then sew them all together so you'd see the sewing seams on the inside but wouldn't be invisible like with snuggle sacks....I'm not too sure yet though. Planning to do some more tutorials in the new year so will let you know if I manage one! :p
 
HansPiggies said:
I'm not sure, I am going to attempt one myself after Christmas when I get some more fleece and foam...I'm thinking you'd have to sew panels separately and then sew them all together so you'd see the sewing seams on the inside but wouldn't be invisible like with snuggle sacks....I'm not too sure yet though. Planning to do some more tutorials in the new year so will let you know if I manage one! :p
Click to expand...
Thank You... I have tons of fleece and want to make use of it !
 
HansPiggies said:
I'm not sure, I am going to attempt one myself after Christmas when I get some more fleece and foam...I'm thinking you'd have to sew panels separately and then sew them all together so you'd see the sewing seams on the inside but wouldn't be invisible like with snuggle sacks....I'm not too sure yet though. Planning to do some more tutorials in the new year so will let you know if I manage one! :p
Click to expand...
Oooh yes please...sewing is not my best forte but would love to have a go
 
I think I have a pretty good idea of how to do a cube shaped one and a tee pee shaped one but I can't describe it :hmm: Will make a video after Christnas for sure! :)
 
I will try and write instructions for what I concoct when I get my machine back too!
@artcasper I was using 90 needles but it looks like the needle isn't in line with the foot and the two are catching and snapping. My machine is from the 70s so about time it develped a problem!
 
I have a Singer (hand operated!) sewing machine from the 20's/30's but it's more reliable than my electric one that I have recently got rid of.

I have very little sewing experience and yet I made a cuddle cup (from that turtorial actually) and 2 snuggle sacks that have been a bit hit and miss with the girls. I used 2 different patterned/plain fleece and wadding (just for the opening for the snuggle sacks but doesn't really work) but I think I'll have to make some more with some sort of boning to keep the entrance open.

I also want to make a tent of some sort so will look forward to the postings. I also want to make some cage liners and such too but my machine's started to squeak and I have no idea where it's coming from! :O Very annoying haha.

Is there anything else worth making for piggies that I can add to my to do list?
 
cavy clicker said:
I'm the opposite, its gotten so warm here in Dunedin that I'm struggling to keep my guineas nice and cool.
Click to expand...
:agr: I hear you... I've been needing to bring mine inside for the air conditioning... Makes for very grumpy piggies... They love it outside.
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
I used 2 different patterned/plain fleece and wadding (just for the opening for the snuggle sacks but doesn't really work) but I think I'll have to make some more with some sort of boning to keep the entrance open.

Is there anything else worth making for piggies that I can add to my to do list?
Click to expand...

I am planning on using tapestry plastic as boning - my friend has used it to support the sides on a box she made for kids toys. I also made them some corner hammocks - a square cut into two triangles and sewn together with a piece of towel between them and a key ring on each corner to attach into the cage sides. They have't really used it yet - they are still in the hiding stage and its rather exposed. Planning on using my off cuts to make a fringed curtain for some privacy!
 
Loobyg83 said:
I am planning on using tapestry plastic as boning - my friend has used it to support the sides on a box she made for kids toys. I also made them some corner hammocks - a square cut into two triangles and sewn together with a piece of towel between them and a key ring on each corner to attach into the cage sides. They have't really used it yet - they are still in the hiding stage and its rather exposed. Planning on using my off cuts to make a fringed curtain for some privacy!
Click to expand...

Thanks! Not heard of tapestry fabric before so will definitely look into that! I might try a corner hammock as I've walked past and occassionally seen one of them standing on their pigloo or bridge, looking very shifty indeed haha. I'd certainly be interested in how you did yours!

Yes the fringe curtain sounds good, although mine aren't all that worried about privacy XD But it will be somewhere to play!
 
I have a singer sewing machine too. I can't figure out why it jams with zigzag stitch!
 
HansPiggies said:
I think I have a pretty good idea of how to do a cube shaped one and a tee pee shaped one but I can't describe it :hmm: Will make a video after Christnas for sure! :)
Click to expand...
Great... any shape will do me lol !
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
I have a Singer (hand operated!) sewing machine from the 20's/30's but it's more reliable than my electric one that I have recently got rid of.

I have very little sewing experience and yet I made a cuddle cup (from that turtorial actually) and 2 snuggle sacks that have been a bit hit and miss with the girls. I used 2 different patterned/plain fleece and wadding (just for the opening for the snuggle sacks but doesn't really work) but I think I'll have to make some more with some sort of boning to keep the entrance open.

I also want to make a tent of some sort so will look forward to the postings. I also want to make some cage liners and such too but my machine's started to squeak and I have no idea where it's coming from! :O Very annoying haha.

Is there anything else worth making for piggies that I can add to my to do list?
Click to expand...
I have made all my cage liners, they are really easy.. it takes a while to pin together but not difficult x
 
Corsetry boning is good to use too. It's flexible enough that if you have piggies like some mine that like to walk over their fleeced items it's not a problem as it bends easily with their weight but is sturdy enough to keep the item open. Washes nicely too!

HansPiggies said:
Hi, I make all my fleece liners and beds and I use any fleece really with a towel sewn in as an absorbant layer and I've always used 6oz or 8oz polyester wadding from eBay as only around a fiver for a few metres. For foam you may be better using this:
UPHOLSTERY FOAM SHEET. HIGH / MEDIUM DENSITY. 60" x 20" ANY THICKNESS SIZE
I'd get the 1/2 inch, not sure foam board is flexible for sewing. This is what I'm ordering to do my next ones fro structure as wadding hasn't been sturdy enough for really shaped things :)
Click to expand...

How do you find the upholstery foam holds up with regular washing? I've seen some that just disintegrate after a few washes.
 
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