How to Make a Pig or Dog Collar

Dog and pig collars come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors, making choosing the right one a daunting task. Instead of becoming overwhelmed at the number of collars available for purchase at your local pet store, make your own collar. With little more than webbing material, plastic buckles and a sewing machine, you can create a collar in any color to fit your pet's needs and your personal taste.

Things You'll Need

  • Flexible measuring tape
  • Nylon, polypropylene or hemp webbing
  • Matching thread
  • Plastic parachute buckle
  • Sewing machine
  • Metal D ring
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine your dog or pig's neck size using a flexible measuring tape. Add 8 inches to the circumference measurement of your pet's neck. Cut a length of nylon webbing that matches this measurement. Choose 1/2-inch width for smaller pets, or 1-inch for larger pets. Alternatively, use polypropylene webbing. Hemp webbing is another option if you prefer to use an organic material.

    • 2

      Pass one end of the webbing through the "male" end of a plastic parachute buckle. A parachute buckle is a two-piece buckle: one end, the male end, has three prongs that insert into the open side, or female end. Choose a buckle the same width as the webbing.

    • 3

      Pull the buckle 3 inches down the length of the webbing. Fold the webbing over itself so that the loose end is now against the back of the webbing, with the buckle held in a loop. Using a sewing machine and stitching on the front side of the webbing, attach the end of the webbing to the back where it touches. Place the stitch 1/4-inch from the loose ends. Turn over the webbing and buckle, and repeat the stitching on the back side to give the seam added strength.

    • 4

      Place a metal D ring with the same width as the webbing on the loose end of the webbing. Rest the flat side of the D ring against the back of the webbing. Then, pass the same end of the webbing through the female end of the parachute buckle. Move the buckle and D ring 3 inches down the length of the webbing.

    • 5

      Fold the loose end of the webbing over as you did in Step 3, keeping the D ring and female end of the buckle in the loop you formed. Hold the loose end with your fingers and fit the collar around your dog or pig's neck to check sizing. Leave enough room for you to slide two fingers between the collar and the pet's neck. Remove the collar, keeping the current placement of the buckle.

    • 6

      Sew the loose end of the webbing to the back side of the collar. As in Step 3, first sew across the width on the front, then turn the collar over and sew across the width on the back.

    • 7

      Move the D ring down the length of the webbing until you reach the stitched area you just created. Sew across the width of the webbing just on the other side of the D ring to secure it in place. Turn the collar over and sew across the width again on the back.