BibliophileBullpen

I had some fleece leftover and was still in a creative mood.

I needed a sling to help me socialize the kittens. One which allowed me to use both hands to work while they slept, yet kept them close enough to my chest so they could hear my breathing and heart beat.

I tried to keep the instructions as minimal as possible. One could even use a beach towel and safety pins.

50″ x 26″ piece of polyester fleece. If the 50″ is not long enough to wear comfortably use longer or add straps and buckles. (I hemmed the cut end with a zig zag stitch)

Fold the bottom 8″ up lengthwise.

and fold the top 4″ down, overlapping the bottom edge.
This will make a very long envelope pocket, giving the most room without ‘escape routes’.

Sew down either end giving a sort of enchilada effect.

Connect both ends to each other. I used safety pins because I found the 50″ length comfortable.

Insert kitten.

The hammock has seen better days and needs to be replaced, but I figure It is easier to make a pattern for many replacements. I could have made a straight sided hammock but I think that shape works best for full sized cats. Kittens and ferrets like to hang their heads and legs over the edge and tease each other.

All the materials are recycled. The nylon webbing was a dress belt and the snaps were from a purse. I also used polyester fleece blankets that were on sale for $1.50 at the thrift store.
Another method would be to use grommets and shower curtain hooks – but I would have had to buy the grommets, next time I will use the webbing loops AND shower curtain hooks – and make a straight sided one for grown cats.

Rough instructions:

• Trace or draw a pattern for half the hammock. Mine was freehand so it’s a little oddly shaped, but they kittens don’t care.
• Fold the fabric in half and cut out the pattern. If you are using the same material for both sides, cut out both at once.
• Sew around the edges.
• At the corners, insert webbing loops with the swivel snap attached. Sew over the webbing 2 or 3 times.
• Leave a 3″ gap
• Turn the hammock inside out.
• Sew up the gap.

rectangular single cat sized