Sewing Patterns?

[Deleted]

Does anyone sell sewing patterns for making fleece liners, hammocks, etc etc? I have a sewing machine and I can't really afford a full set premade. I have a double Critter Nation. Thanks!

(If you do make yourself or know somewhere that does, please feel free to link those too and I'll check them out just in case.)

Edit: Found the patterns on here for hammocks etc! Still not sure on liners though.

[LindaM]

We were never able to find any, and the ones online weren't the style we wanted either, or all no-sew and I wanted something sturdy and lasting.

You can just work off of measurements, as long as you have a cutting pad that has measure lines on. We made our liners to be tight fitting and pillow-case style, out of two fabrics. Fleece on the top, and a cheaper fabric like flannel to the bottom, the fleece got cut slightly longer on the one short edge so it could fold over onto the backside and adhere with velcro.

We used 1/2" seams per side, except on the edges of fleece that fold over, or the corresponding part of flannel. For the flannel fold over to make a sturdy top seam, we did 1" fold over. The fleece, since it needed to reach to the back we did extra 3".

EDIT to add: I'm not sure on the Critter Nation full measurements, this is for our Ferret Nation. You might need to adjust measurements a bit.

Measurements Big Pan:
Flannel: 36"(includes 1" fold over) x 23 1/2".
Fleece: 38" (includes 3" flap) x 23 1/2".
Depending on how you sew, you might need to cut the corner for the one pan little by little and fit it to the pan to see how it fits. It took us originally about 3 tries.

Measurements Shelf Pan:
Flannel: 18" (includes 1" fold over) x 23 1/2".
Fleece: 21" (includes 3" flap) x 23 1/2".
You can cut the flap side down as diagonally as you like, since it needs openings to the side where the pan hooks onto the bars of the shelf.

Big Pans:




Shelf Pans:





I found a lovely PDF online actually meant for rat bedding.. you just add 2" to make it fine for ferrets.
www.ratropolis.com/Rat%20Tutorials/Tutorials%20for%20Common%20Rat%20Hammocks%20and%20Accessories.pdf

[Deleted]

Thanks for this, Linda! I was wondering the same thing. Love that PDF as well.

[LindaM]

You're welcome. Oh, something to keep in mind, since a lot of people don't know or forget about it, one should always wash newly bought fleece first before cutting your sizes from it, as some fleece can shrink in the wash when first washed.

[Deleted]

Ahh yes. The people at the fabric store told me it wouldn't shrink but I'm not sure if I believe them. I think I'll just go ahead and wash it as you suggested. Thanks!

[LindaM]

Some fleece do not shrink at all, some do a little and some do quite a bit, or at least enough to make the item unusable. I've had Blizzard brand fleece shrink on me before. And since it isn't ever a guarantee that your kind of fleece won't shrink, it's just easiest to wash it first. I'd also dry it in the method you plan to use long term, if you plan to air dry, do that, if you plan to use a dryer, do that after washing. That way you can see the effect heat might have on the fabric as well. ^^

[Deleted]

Yeah better safe than sorry for sure! I don't want to spend all that time making the stuff only for them to send up being too small in the long run..