How to Make a Ribbon Dog Leash

For people who like personalized pet accessories but find dog sweaters and puppy tutus insufferable, a homemade dog leash may be just the ticket. Dog leash materials are inexpensive, and while you'll need to know how to sew for this tutorial, the stitching is relatively basic. The leash itself is made from cotton webbing cord, the durable, woven strap-like material commonly found on store-bought leashes. The ribbon is used for decoration, while the cotton webbing provides strength.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 3/4 yards cotton webbing cord
  • 2 3/4 yards ribbon
  • Scissors
  • Seamstress' pins
  • Thread
  • Sewing machine
  • Swivel head trigger snap hook
Show More

Instructions

  1. Making your ribbon dog leash

    • 1

      Unroll the cotton webbing cord and the ribbon. Lay the ribbon flat, right side up, along the center of the cotton webbing.

    • 2

      Pin the ribbon into place on the cotton webbing with your seamstress' pins. Use one pin for every two inches of ribbon.

    • 3

      Sew the ribbon onto the webbing using your sewing machine, removing the pins as you go. Sew along both edges of the ribbon so that the ribbon is securely fastened to the webbing.

    • 4

      Cut the webbing and ribbon, now sewn together, so that they are 93 1/2 inches long. Fold the raw corners over 1/2 an inch and sew them with your sewing machine so the leash doesn't fray.

    • 5

      Thread one end of the leash ribbon, right side up into the snap hook. Pull 2 1/2 inches through the hook and pin the wrong sides together so that the leash forms a loop around the hook.

    • 6

      Stitch into place by sewing a rectangular shape along the sides and bottom of the 2 1/2-piece you pulled through your snap hook, about 1/4 inch from the edges. Close the rectangle by sewing another line of stitches at the top near the snap hook. Sew an X inside this rectangle, from corner to corner, for added stability.

    • 7

      Measure 9 inches from the other end of the leash. Fold leash over, wrong sides together, and pin to make a loop. Sew end of leash to the 9-inch mark by making another rectangle, using the same method as before. Sew inside the rectangle from corner to corner, forming your X inside the rectangle.

    • 8

      Clip the snap hook to your dog's collar. It's time to take him for a walk!