Walking your furry best friend is one of the great joys of pet ownership. It’s bonding time, exercise time, and exploration time all rolled into one. But let’s be honest, juggling the leash, your phone, maybe keys, and especially those all-important training treats can sometimes feel like a circus act. Treats end up crushed in pockets, leaving a delightful (not!) greasy residue, or you fumble trying to grab one quickly for that perfect ‘sit’ command. There’s a simple, satisfying, and stylish solution: crafting your very own DIY pet treat bag with a handy clip!
Making your own treat pouch isn’t just about saving a few pennies, though that’s a nice bonus. It’s about creating something perfectly suited to your needs and your style. You get to choose the fabric – maybe something durable and waterproof for the outside, and a wipe-clean lining? Perhaps match it to your dog’s collar or your favourite walking jacket? The possibilities are endless, and the satisfaction of using something you made yourself adds an extra spring to your step on those daily walks.
Gather Your Supplies: The Foundation of Your Creation
Before you dive into sewing, let’s get organised. Having everything ready makes the process much smoother. Here’s what you’ll typically need:
- Outer Fabric: Choose something sturdy. Canvas, denim, corduroy, or outdoor-specific fabrics work great. A fat quarter (about 18×21 inches) is usually plenty.
- Liner Fabric: This should ideally be easy to clean. Ripstop nylon, PUL (polyurethane laminate – often used for diapers and wet bags), or even a sturdy cotton that you don’t mind washing frequently will do. Another fat quarter should suffice.
- Interfacing (Optional but Recommended): Medium-weight fusible interfacing gives the bag structure and helps it hold its shape. You’ll need a piece slightly smaller than your outer fabric pieces.
- Webbing or Fabric Scrap for Clip Loop: A small piece (around 3-4 inches long) of sturdy webbing or a folded strip of your outer fabric to create a loop for attaching the clip.
- Clip Hardware: A carabiner clip, swivel hook, or a belt clip are popular choices. Ensure it’s sturdy enough for regular use.
- Thread: Matching or contrasting thread – your choice!
- Sewing Machine (or Needle for Hand Sewing): While a machine makes it quicker, this project is definitely achievable by hand sewing with a bit of patience.
- Basic Sewing Kit: Fabric scissors or rotary cutter and mat, pins or sewing clips, iron and ironing board, measuring tape or ruler, fabric marker or chalk.
- Pattern (Optional): You can freehand a simple rectangle or download a basic pouch pattern online. A common size might be around 6 inches wide by 7 inches tall when finished.
Choosing Materials Wisely
The fabrics you select will significantly impact the look, feel, and functionality of your treat bag. For the outer layer, think durability. It needs to withstand being clipped to your belt or pocket, occasional bumps, and perhaps even a little drool. Heavier cottons like canvas or duck cloth are excellent choices, as are synthetic outdoor fabrics designed to resist wear and tear. Don’t be afraid to pick fun patterns or colours!
The liner fabric is arguably even more important functionally. Since it will hold the treats, something easy to wipe down is ideal. PUL fabric is waterproof and cleans easily. Ripstop nylon is another great option – lightweight, durable, and relatively water-resistant. If using regular cotton for the liner, be prepared to empty and wash the bag more frequently to prevent grease stains or lingering smells.
Interfacing adds body. Without it, your bag might be floppy. Fusible interfacing is easy to use – you just iron it onto the wrong side of your outer fabric pieces before sewing. Choose a medium weight for a good balance of structure and flexibility.
Finally, the clip. A carabiner is versatile and clips easily onto belt loops or bags. A slide-on belt clip offers a secure attachment directly to your waistband or belt. Consider how you prefer to carry the bag when making your choice.
Let’s Get Sewing: Bringing Your Treat Bag to Life
Ready to start? We’ll guide you through a basic pouch construction. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam for security.
Step 1: Cut Your Fabric
Decide on the finished size of your bag. Let’s aim for roughly 6 inches wide by 7 inches tall. You’ll need to cut rectangles, adding seam allowance (usually 1/2 inch) to all sides.
- Cut TWO pieces of Outer Fabric (e.g., 7 inches wide x 8 inches tall)
- Cut TWO pieces of Liner Fabric (e.g., 7 inches wide x 8 inches tall)
- Cut TWO pieces of Interfacing (slightly smaller, e.g., 6 inches wide x 7 inches tall)
- Cut ONE piece for the Clip Loop (e.g., 1.5 inches wide x 4 inches long)
If you want a boxed corner look for more volume at the base, you can cut small squares (e.g., 1×1 inch) from the bottom corners of all four main fabric pieces *after* cutting the main rectangles. We’ll skip this for simplicity here but it’s an easy modification.
Step 2: Apply Interfacing
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, fuse the interfacing pieces to the wrong side of your two Outer Fabric pieces. Centre them so there’s seam allowance around the edges.
Step 3: Prepare the Clip Loop
Take your clip loop fabric strip. Fold it in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press. Open it up, then fold the raw edges into the centre crease and press again. Fold it in half along the original centre crease one more time, encasing the raw edges. Topstitch along both long edges to secure it. Fold this finished strap in half widthwise to form a loop.
Step 4: Sew the Outer Bag
Place the two Outer Fabric pieces right sides together. Pin or clip along the two sides and the bottom edge. Sew these three sides using your chosen seam allowance (e.g., 1/2 inch). Leave the top edge open. If you cut corner squares earlier, pinch the corners flat (matching side and bottom seams) and sew across to create the boxed bottom. Trim the seam allowances, especially at the corners, to reduce bulk.
Step 5: Sew the Liner Bag
Place the two Liner Fabric pieces right sides together. Pin or clip along the two sides and the bottom edge. Sew these sides, BUT leave a 3-4 inch opening along the bottom seam. This opening is crucial for turning the bag right-side out later. Leave the top edge completely open. Trim seam allowances as before.
Important Fabric Note: Always pre-wash your cotton fabrics before cutting and sewing. This prevents shrinkage later, which could distort your finished treat bag. For liners like PUL or ripstop nylon, check care instructions; they often don’t require pre-washing and might need special handling like using clips instead of pins to avoid permanent holes. Choose fabrics sturdy enough to withstand regular use and cleaning.
Step 6: Assemble the Bag
Turn the Outer Bag right-side out. Keep the Liner Bag inside-out. Now, place the Outer Bag (right-side out) inside the Liner Bag (which is still inside-out). The right sides of the Outer Bag and Liner Bag should now be facing each other.
Line up the top raw edges of both bags carefully. Match the side seams. Find the centre of the back top edge (the side you want the clip on). Sandwich the raw edges of your prepared Clip Loop between the outer and liner layers at this centre point, with the loop pointing downwards (towards the inside of the bag). Pin or clip everything securely around the entire top opening, making sure the loop is firmly held in place.
Step 7: Sew the Top Edge
Sew all the way around the top edge, securing the outer fabric, liner fabric, and the clip loop together. Use your standard seam allowance. Backstitch over the clip loop area a couple of times for extra strength.
Step 8: Turn and Finish
Now for the magic! Reach through the opening you left in the bottom of the Liner Bag. Grab the Outer Bag and pull it gently through the opening. Keep pulling until the entire bag is right-side out. It will look messy at first, but be patient.
Push the Liner Bag down inside the Outer Bag. Use a blunt tool (like a chopstick or point turner) to carefully poke out the corners for a crisp shape. Press the top edge flat with your iron (use appropriate heat for your fabrics!), ensuring the seam rolls nicely to the edge.
Find the opening in the Liner Bag seam. Fold the raw edges inwards neatly and press. Stitch this opening closed very close to the edge (this is called edge stitching or closing the turning gap). You can do this by machine or hand sew it neatly with a ladder stitch.
Step 9: Topstitch (Optional but Recommended)
To give your bag a professional finish and help the top edge lie flat, topstitch all the way around the top opening, about 1/4 inch from the edge. This also adds extra reinforcement to the clip loop area.
Step 10: Attach Your Clip
Slide your chosen clip (carabiner, swivel hook, etc.) through the fabric loop you created. Voila! Your DIY Pet Treat Bag is complete!
Make It Your Own: Customisation Ideas
The basic pouch is fantastic, but why stop there? Consider these additions:
- Drawstring Closure: Add a casing around the top edge before Step 7 and thread a cord through for a secure closure.
- Magnetic Snap: Install a magnetic snap inside the top edge before sewing the liner and outer bags together for easy one-handed opening and closing.
- Extra Pocket: Sew a simple patch pocket onto one of the Outer Fabric pieces before Step 4 – perfect for poop bags or your keys.
- Embroidery/Applique: Personalise the front with your pet’s initial or a cute paw print design.
- Different Shapes: Experiment with slightly different shapes, perhaps a rounded bottom or a taller, slimmer profile.
Enjoying Your Handiwork on Walks
Clip your brand-new treat bag to your belt, waistband, or pocket. Fill it with your dog’s favourite high-value treats. Now, head out for that walk! Notice how much easier it is to access treats quickly for rewarding good behaviour. No more fumbling, no more crumb-filled pockets. Plus, you get to proudly show off your handiwork. It’s a small thing, but having the right gear makes walks more pleasant for both you and your pup.
Keeping It Clean
Depending on your fabric choices, cleaning will vary. If you used a wipeable liner like PUL or nylon, simply turn the liner partially out and wipe it down with a damp cloth after use. For cotton liners or if the outside gets dirty, empty the bag completely and either hand wash or machine wash on a gentle cycle (check fabric care instructions first). Let it air dry thoroughly before refilling with treats.
Creating your own pet treat bag is a fun, practical project suitable for even beginner sewers. It allows for complete customisation, saves money, and gives you a useful item you’ll appreciate on every single walk. So grab some fabric, thread your needle or set up your machine, and get crafting – your dog (and your pockets) will thank you!
