We Love Our Pets Week: Furry Friday + Pet Quilt Tutorial!

As part of We Love Our Pets Week and our sponsorship of the Piece for Shelter Pets initiative, we're doing a Furry Fridays post! We're sharing the photos and stories of two wonderfully adopt-able pets, and then Rose Ann Cook, our favorite shelter pet mom/fabric designer, is sharing a tutorial to make a Dog Nap Mat. (It's Joey approved!) Enjoy!

Meet our two featured shelter pets:

Caesar:

Spunky senior Caesar is 10 years young and, no matter what conventional wisdom holds, he loves learning new tricks! (Although he already knows sit, down, shake and high five!) Caesar gets along with other dogs, walks nicely on the leash and loves to play with toys and cuddle with his person. Meet him at the Humane Society of Summit County in Twinsburg, Ohio. Find out more about Caesar here.

Chester:

Chester may look tough, but that's because he's a natural-born leader. Chester lives in a cage-less facility and uses his alpha personality to make sure all the free-roaming cats get along. In addition, he LOVES dogs, and makes sure his fellow felines are nice to them too. Still, Chester longs for a forever home where he can snuggle in your lap and help with the laundry (really!). Meet him at Animal Refuge Center, Inc., in Vine Grove, Kentucky. Find out more about Chester here.

These pets may not be in your area, but if you are looking for a new furry friend, you can go to Petfinder.com to search locally.

Tutorial: Joey's Nap Mat 

Designed by Joey's Mama, Rose Ann Cook

FABRICS REQUIRED

All fabrics from the Joey the Shop Dog collection by Rose Ann Cook 

Fat eighth of Paws - Blue  #1449-50

1/2 yard of Curls - Green #1448-40

1/4 yard of Happy Joey  #Yellow 1447-33

1/4 yard of Curls - Aqua #1448-24

1/3 yard of Toys - Orange #1446-32

1 yard of backing fabric

(4) 25” x 35” thin batting pieces

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS

From the Blue Paws print:

(4) 4" squares

(1) 4" x 18" strip

From the Green Curls print:

(2) 2-1/4" x 18" strips

(12) 1-1/4" squares

(2) 2-1/4" x 14-1/2" strips

(2) 4" x 25" strips

From the Happy Joey Yellow print:

(2) 2-1/2" x WOF strips

(2) 2” x 22-1/2” strips

From the Aqua Curls print:

(2) 2-1/2" x WOF strips

From the Orange Toys print:

(2) 2” x 32-1/2” strips

(2) 2” x 25-1/2” strips

From the backing fabric:

(1) 25-1/2” x 35-1/2” piece (or measure your finished quilt top and cut to size)

Make the Quilt:

1. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each of the (12) 1-1/4" green swirl squares. This is your sew line. With right sides together, position a small green square to three corners of each of the (4) 4” blue paws squares, as shown. Sew on the diagonal line. Trim 1/4" from the sewn line and press triangles open. Make four.

2. Sew two of these squares together as shown and press the seam open. Make two. These are the two ends of the dog bone.

3. Sew 2-1/4” x 18” green curls strips on each of the long edges of the 4” x 18” blue paws strip. Press the seam to either side. This creates the center of the dog bone.

4. Sew the two dog bone ends to the dog bone center. 

5. Sew 4” x 25” green curls strips to the top and bottom of the bone center. Sew 2-1/4” x 14-1/2” green curls strips to the opposite sides.

6. Sew (1) 2-1/2” x WOF aqua curl strip lengthwise to (1) 2-1/2” x WOF happy joey yellow strip. Press seam allowance toward the aqua strip. Make two. Subcut into (28) 2-1/2” wide units.

7. Sew the units together into four-patches. Sew together (7) four-patches to make a row. Make two.

8. Sew to the top and bottom of the center section. Sew 2-1/2” x 22-1/2” happy joey yellow strips to opposite sides.
9. Sew 2” x 32-1/2” orange toy strips to the top and bottom. Sew 2” x 25-1/2” orange toy strips to the sides.

10. To finish this quilt, I used 4 layers of thin batting. I measured the size of the quilt, subtracted 1" from the height and width. Use long hand basting stitches, sew the stack of batting to the back of the quilt top. Hand stitch all around the edges and then a large "X" from corner to corner. This is just to stabilize the project; the stitches will be removed shortly. With right sides together, lay the backing on top of the quilt top. Stitch around the edge of the project, leaving a 10" opening so you can turn it right side out, carefully straightening the batting on the inside as you go. Press the edges flat. Slip stitch the opening. Remove your basting stitches. Quilt as desired and let your fur-baby enjoy their new nap mat!

More about the Petfinder Foundation and the Piece for Shelter Pets initiative:

The Piece for Shelter Pets (PFSP) initiative grew from the relationship started in 2012 between The Quilt Pattern Magazine and the Petfinder Foundation after Hurricane Sandy. The goal: to help animal shelters affected by the hurricane by making Kennel Quilts! Much like quilts are to us humans, Kennel Quilts offered rescued or displaced pets a warm, soft place to nap. They were such a big hit that The TQPM Kennel Quilt Team was officially started and since its beginning, has seen over 10,200 Kennel Quilts made and distributed to shelters across the United States and Canada! WOW!

Aurifil joined the cause in 2015 with the release of the Small Kennel Quilt Thread Kit. The cover features Pretty Girl, the TQPM Kennel Quilt “SpokesKitty” and HSPPR (The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region) adoptee, photographed on her Kennel Quilt during the 2013 Colorado fires.

Aurifil introduced Fifi & Fido and Happy Hounds at Fall Quilt Market last year in partner with Island Batik, another one of our treasured Piece for Shelter Pets Partners. A portion of the sales of each will go to the Petfinder Foundation.

Quilty Box launched a special TQPM Kennel Quilt box this past January that includes the fabric and thread needed to make two kennel quilts. 100% of proceeds go to the Petfinder Foundation!! How amazing is that??

Benartex introduced a brand new fabric collection at International Quilt Market this past Fall featuring Joey the Shop Dog. The line was designed by Joey’s rescue mom, Rose Ann Cook. 10% of sales for Joey’s fabrics are donated to Petfinder Foundation.

Bernina of America created a special edition Best Friends sewing machine in 2015 featuring paw prints. They donated $30,000 to the Petfinder Foundation from the sales of the machine.

And finally, Hancock’s of Paducah is our newest partner in the cause. They are supporting the initiative by helping us all increase awareness of the program and the furry friends the program aims to support.

We want to thank all of the sponsors, partners, & quilters joining us in the Piece for Shelter Pets initiative. 

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To take a peek at the other posts and check out all of our featured pets, please follow the links below:
3/10: Quilty Box
3/17: TQPM
3/24: Island Batik
3/31: Aurifil 
4/7: Hancock’s of Paducah
4/14: Benartex (You're here!)
4/21: Petfinder Foundation

We are animal lovers and have come together to support shelter animals and perhaps bring a little joy into their lives. Creating a Kennel Quilt is a way to join a larger effort to help our furry friends in times of need by doing what we love. We hope that you’ve been inspired to get involved. If you’d like to join the Small Kennel Quilt Team, please click here. We’d love for you to join us in this effort!

Remember… Adopt, don’t shop!

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Piece for Shelter Pets

We're excited to be part of the Piece for Shelter Pets blog hop today! This worthwhile cause has extra meaning to us this year because of a small dog named Joey. Below you'll find information about the Piece for Shelter Pets partners and their efforts to help the Petfinder Foundation, and you'll also find the story behind Joey the shop dog and how he inspired a fabric line. Enjoy! 

October is national Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month and some quilt industry professionals are partnering with the Petfinder Foundation to create awareness of Shelter Dogs (and Cats) that need “furrever” homes. It is an unusual combination but one that is working beautifully to help our furry friends.  

These quilt industry professionals are animal lovers and have partnered together to help shelter animals in ways that are new and unique.  So join us in the Piece for Shelter Pets Blog Hop and see how we are helping and how you can help. 

The Quilt Pattern Magazine (TQPM) -  an international online only publication - partnered with the Petfinder Foundation to form the TQPM Small Kennel Quilt Team after Hurricane Sandy. The two organizations help animal shelters affected by disasters by sending Kennel Quilts for the displaced animals. 

Sewing essentials are needed for Kennel Quilts and Aurifil Threads, Bernina USA, Island Batik Fabrics, Quilty Box and Benartex Fabrics have joined the TQPM Kennel Quilt effort to help the Petfinder Foundation. 

Aurifil Threads created a Small Kennel Quilt Thread Kit last year and will be introducing two more Thread Collections at the International Quilt Market in Houston this month. A portion of sales goes to the Petfinder Foundation.

Bernina of America created a special edition Best Friends sewing machine this year featuring paw prints. They donated $30,000 to the Petfinder Foundation from the sales of the machine.

Island Batik is introducing two new animal fabric lines at International Quilt Market. A portion of sales will go to the Petfinder Foundation.

Quilty Box will offer special TQPM Kennel Quilt boxes and the Petfinder Foundation will be the recipient of a portion of their sales.

Benartex will introduce new fabrics at International Quilt Market which will benefit the Petfinder Foundation. 

These quilt industry professionals are animal lovers and have partnered together to help shelter animals in ways that are new and unique.  It is a way to join a larger effort to help our animal friends in times of need by doing what we love. We are reaching out to our quilting friends to ask for support and help for our furry friends.

There are so many shelter animals that want a home.  This is a great time to check with your local shelter for your “furrever” friend or you can check out Petfinder.com. However if you can’t adopt at this time, there are numerous other ways to help and that will be shared on all our blogs. Please join us in this effort and Remember to Adopt –don’t shop! 

Blog Hop Schedule:

10/5 – The Quilt Pattern Magazine/Nan Baker of Purrfect Spots

10/7 – Aurifil 

10/12 – Island Batik

10/14 – Quilty Box (instagram)

10/19 – Benartex 

10/21 – Petfinder Foundation

Petfinder 20th Anniversary Celebration

For the past 20 years, Petfinder has helped 25 million pets find their families through adoption. They wanted to use this moment to celebrate their incredible legacy with their shelter and rescue members while inspiring a new generation of pet lovers, just like you. They created a video and pledged to donate $200,000 to the Petfinder Foundation if the video reached 1 million views by October 24, 2016. Thanks to dedication and inspired help of the masses, they have already reached their goal! The donated funds will reward 20 shelter and rescue members with $10,000 grants, allowing them to keep doing the amazing work that they do! 

This blog hop features two prizes. The giveaway runs from Wednesday, October 5 – 11:59pm on Tuesday October 25. Winner will be announced on Wednesday, October 26.

Prize #1:

1 Fat Quarter Bundle of Island Batik’s Fifi & Fido

1 LG Fifi & Fido Aurifil Thread Collection 

1 Subscription to Quilt Pattern Magazine

One 3-month Subscription to Quilty Box

One Petfinder Foundation Bundle (Petfinder Foundation t-shirt, car cling and wristband)

One Joey the Shop Dog Bundle (fabric, a wristband, a button, and a window decal)

Prize #2:

1 Fat Quarter Bundle of Island Batik’s Happy Hounds

1 LG Happy Hounds Aurifil Thread Collection 

1 Subscription to Quilt Pattern Magazine

One Petfinder Foundation Bundle (Petfinder Foundation t-shirt, car cling and wristband)

One Joey the Shop Dog Bundle (fabric, a wristband, a button, and a window decal)

**Enter the giveaway here** 



Meet Joey, the Shop Dog:

Joey was adopted by Rose Ann Cook and her husband almost six years ago. With only one eye and some health issues, he was not a likely choice for adoption, but he’s made his home both with the Cooks and in Rose Ann’s quilt shop, the Quilter's Emporium.

We asked Rose Ann to tell us more about Joey and his new claim to fame, the fabric line!

Meet Joey the Shop Dog

Joey was adopted by Rose Ann Cook and her husband almost six years ago. With only one eye and some health issues, he was not a likely choice for adoption, but he’s made his home both with the Cooks and in Rose Ann’s quilt shop, the Quilt Emporium.

We asked Rose Ann to tell us more about Joey and his new claim to fame, the fabric line!

Why did Joey catch your eye?

What I can say? We haven’t been afraid to adopt dogs that have health or physical issues. That doesn’t mean that they can’t be loving, wonderful pets. As a matter of fact, I think they become the most grateful pets. We have no children—this is our calling to take care of dogs that otherwise would be put down.  I love the phrase on the Joey the Shop Dog poster…”You don’t have to be perfect to be loved.”  That says it all.

How did Joey start coming to the quilt shop?

I go to the shop every day, and I felt I needed to take him along to look after him. I tell our guests, Joey’s story and they start to feel protective over him… and they all fall in love. He’s a little fixture around the shop. Joey has such a fan club. Some customers only come in on “Joey” days.  Joey even gets birthday cards from national and international customers in early November, which is when we celebrate his birthday!

How has Joey’s fame spread?

He “tells” me what to write for an article in each of our newsletters. If there isn’t something from Joey in the newsletter, we actually get phone calls or emails from customers checking on him. He recently came in 6^th place in the Houston SPCA calendar contest, so he’ll be featured in the 2017 calendar as well.  This is very fitting because this is where we adopted Joey.

And of course the Joey the Shop Dog fabric collection?

My staff has been pestering me about this. I always felt that Joey would be the perfect subject for a fabric line. Not only is he popular in our little world, but everyone who sees him from out of town thinks that he’s such a cute little dog. When Benartex suggested that the line could have a charitable tie-in, I almost flipped with joy. It was more than I could ever have dreamed of, that they’d be so invested in this that they’d contribute money to a non-kill shelter. Not only do we get to share Joey with other quilters, we also get to help other animals.

The panel to make a stuffed Joey (shown above with the actual Joey)

How else has Joey helped the cause of strays?

From time to time, a customer will tell us that they found a stray animal.  We encourage them to send me a pic and their details, and then Joey will include a story about his new “friend” in the weekly email.  He has been pretty successful in that he has been able to find homes for almost a dozen dogs through the years. Joey does so much good.

How did the fabric line come to be?

I chose photos for inspiration, and many of the blocks in the panel are based on those photos. For example, Joey on the box moving cart. When we’re moving boxes in the shop, he’ll jump on and we’ll give him a little ride.  

The block panel:

You can follow Joey by liking his Facebook page and/or by subscribing to Rose Ann’s newsletter.

Watch for the Joey the Shop Dog collection at your local quilt shop and see all the prints here. Don't forget, 10% of sales for Joey’s fabrics will be donated to The Petfinder Foundation!

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