I've started a project to make some warm, healthy and washable bedding to donate to small private cat rescues. The polyester fleece used in most commercial cat beds gives off tiny particles which are very harmful to the lungs of animals and humans and also harmful to marine life. So we are using old woollen blankets, jerseys and cardigans etc from Op Shops. Covers made from old cotton sheets etc. We are starting with making liners for the floor of various cage sizes cut from woollen blankets. Then making some blanket bags loosely filled with woollen offcuts for bedding. No overlocker so we will just zigzag around the edges. We plan to use my Bernina 708 and Elna 450 which are probably a bit small for sewing blankets but we'll see how it goes. Probably won't work for the Aircell blankets though. I have no idea which cotton thread to use. We are not looking to make 'designer' products that look pretty and many of the blankets have moth-holes and some stains. We would welcome any suggestions as well as advice on which thread to buy.

Edited by arthurdent at 6:28 pm, Sun 26 Sep

arthurdent - 2021-09-26 18:20:00

Any thread will do. Thicker thread and thicker fabric needs a bigger needle so starting with a bigger needle will be an advantage. OP shops sometimes have thread. Try there first.

Good project! Be aware though, that natural fibers are fodder for moths!

hazelnut2 - 2021-09-27 09:20:00

Yes great project. I use any thread but loosen tension off a bit. If you have a walking foot it might make it easier to use if the wool blankets are a bit thick with the covers.

shanreagh - 2021-09-27 12:48:00

A couple of drops of lavender oil on the inner layers could help deter moths - and might help for urine smells if cat has “accident”

jayemtoo - 2021-09-27 14:04:00

I don't have any information that would help - but on behalf of my cat Aroha, who is a rescue I'd like to thank you for your work.

calista - 2021-09-27 20:50:00

calista wrote:

I don't have any information that would help - but on behalf of my cat Aroha, who is a rescue I'd like to thank you for your work.

Aroha is a beautiful name for any cat and particularly a rescue cat! Your good wishes are just as important as practical information, calista, so thank you so much for them.

arthurdent - 2021-09-29 16:19:00

hazelnut2 wrote:

Any thread will do. Thicker thread and thicker fabric needs a bigger needle so starting with a bigger needle will be an advantage. OP shops sometimes have thread. Try there first.

Good project! Be aware though, that natural fibers are fodder for moths!

Thanks hazelnut2. I'm getting some size 90 needles as the machine currently has an 80 and I've found some heavier thread. Regarding the moths, there are many old moth-holes in some of the blankets which is fine because we can make cotton covers for those beds. They are unlikely to get new moth holes as the Rescue people will be washing them frequently. Anyway, the cats won't care about moth-holes! I've stored all these woollens in black plastic rubbish sacks for decades and have washed all of them several times in scent-free washing powder.

arthurdent - 2021-09-29 16:29:00

shanreagh wrote:

Yes great project. I use any thread but loosen tension off a bit. If you have a walking foot it might make it easier to use if the wool blankets are a bit thick with the covers.

Thanks shanreagh -that's a good tip to loosen the tension off a bit because it's a walking foot.

arthurdent - 2021-09-29 16:32:00

jayemtoo wrote:

A couple of drops of lavender oil on the inner layers could help deter moths - and might help for urine smells if cat has “accident”

There are likely to be many accidents because the rescue people trap homeless cats, injured cats, pregnant cats, tom cats and probably feral cats. That's why these cage liners and beds are definitely not to be 'designer' beds. That's interesting about the lavender oil because there will definitely be urine smells quite often.,

arthurdent - 2021-09-29 16:36:00