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Quilts Changing the Lives of Shelter Animals
Cage Comforters: Small Quilts Changing the Lives
of Shelter Animals
Cage
comforters are simple, small quilts placed in the cages of shelter
animals. Not only do they make the cage a more comfortable place
to be, but they also can help to increase an animal's chances of
adoption. How? They reduce the stress animals feel while in a cage
and they allow potential adopters to more easily see the
animals as part of their homes and lives.
Anyone who can thread a needle can create a cage
comforter, and help get a Little New Yorker adopted!
If you are a home economics teacher, or other professional
who works with people for whom a sewing project would be useful,
you might consider starting a cage comforter project (a terrific
opportunity to learn and help at the same time). If you are starting
a cage comforter project and would like us to mail information about
the Mayor's Alliance and animal issues in NYC for your group, please
feel free to contact us at info@AnimalAllianceNYC.org
or call (212) 252-2350.
How to Make a Cage Comforter
Size of Finished Comforter:
14x20" or 12x18" (sizes don't have to be
exact)
Materials
Fabric for Outside of the Comforter:
| • |
Cotton, fleece, and poly blends
work well for outside |
| • |
Fabric needs to be washable in hot/warm
water (for washing at shelter) |
| • |
Ideally with no color fade at warm to hot
temperatures in the machine |
Padding for Inside the Comforter
| • |
A little poly fill or other
padding for padding inside |
| • |
Innards from old comforters/pillows/mattress
pads work well; padding doesn't need to be thick — just
enough for the pet to have a little cushion) |
Tip: Good inexpensive sources of materials include
thrift store comforters, crib bumpers (great source for cheap poly
fill), flannel sheets, quilts, baby/receiving blankets, old pajama
bottoms, table cloths, or bathrobes. Please wash materials before
sewing.
Construction
Construction: Feel free to try your own method, but
"pillowcase-style" often works best:
| 1) |
Cut two pieces of material
to use as top and bottom of the outside of the comforter |
| 2) |
Place the two pieces of fabric one on top
of the other |
| 3) |
Make sure the "wrong" side of
both pieces of fabric are facing out |
| 4) |
Sew 3 sides together |
| 5) |
Turn inside out so that the "right"
side of fabric is facing out |
| 6) |
Insert a bit of cotton batting or fluffy
material |
| 7) |
Fold over and sew the fourth seam |
| 8) |
Secure the poly fill by sewing an inner
seam (like quilting) around all 4 sides and/or sewing a middle
seam with the machine (this is so that the filling doesn't
bunch up when washed). |
Send
Us Your Comforter(s)
What to do with the finished cage comforter(s)? When
you are done, please send it/them to:
Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals
440 Ninth Avenue
8th floor, Suite 9
New York, NY 10001
If you plan to make several or many cage comforters,
please feel free to wait until you have completed several or a stack
(whatever is comfortable for you) before mailing.
Questions
Questions? Please contact us at info@AnimalAllianceNYC.org
or call (212) 252-2350.
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