Saturday, November 7, 2009

Stuffed Animal Child Harness

I'll admit it, I used to make fun of people who put their kid on a "leash." But now that I have a one year old, who thinks he can do anything himself, I am all for "leashing" my kid. I've seen quite a few stuffed animal backpack style harness. Here is my homemade version (please click on the pictures to make text easier to read):


To make this harness you will need:
-a stuffed animal
-3 3/4 yard nylon webbing
-1 D-ring
-2 buckles
-2 adjustable strap pieces
-sewing machine, thread, embroidery floss, thimble


I couldn't find packaged adjustable strap things, so I bought a back pack from the dollar store and took the these pieces off.


Next cut your nylon webbing to the following lengths:
3- 3"
2- 23"
2- 6"
2- 11"
1- 42"

Take a lighter and burn the edges on all pieces to prevent fraying.






This completes the "leash" part.

Grab a thimble for these next steps. You are going through a lot of layers so a thimble really helps.





To Finish it off, thread the 23" pieces back through the adjustable strap pieces. Fold the ends over twice and stitch to prevent the straps from slipping all the way out (like you did for the chest straps)

Attach the "leash" to the D-ring and you're good to go.

Questions? Leave me a comment or send me an email.

p.s. I know in the picture there are a lot of extra straps hanging down, but I wanted to leave plenty of growing room. Magoo is 15 months and 22 lbs. This should definitely fit throughout the toddler years. But feel free to shorten the straps if you're child doesn't need the extra room.

12 comments:

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

Totally brilliant! I am definitely featuring this one on my blog. you come up with such great ideas. Would you want to guest post on my blog? It might help get you a few more followers and more traffic. Email me at michellejohnnie@gmail.com to let me know.

Anonymous said...

That is so cute!!! Did you make the little monster as well?

Cupkateer said...

No, the stuffed animal was just one I had.

Disney said...

Shut. up. This is brilliant! I am just amazed!

Hannah Stevenson said...

Seriously awesome! I think I may be making twin harnesses soon. THANKS! P.S. Love your blog!

Anne said...

So cute!! One of these would have been sooo helpful when my daughter was little.

I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-childs-harness-from-a-stuffed-animal/2009/11/11/
(link will go live at 4:00 pm CST November 11)

--Anne

Becca said...

I love this and am linking to it from my blog! SO cute! :)

Twiggles and Trunks said...

cutest leash i've EVER seen. that monster is adorable. high five!

Kama said...

Very cute! Should have found this before I bought one at Target!!

kim west said...

featured this on my blog today!

kimboscrafts.blogspot.com

Kelli W said...

This is so cute! I clicked over from pinterest. We are heading to Disney World in a few days and I think this would be perfect for my unruly almost 3 year old!

Theguywitheyebrows said...

Victory! Thanks a million!