I have always looked for ways to make horses more affordable, not to mention showing them! So I decided a few years ago I was going to find some ways to make things for them, here are a few things I have done, or thought of doing.
Things You Can Sew
Neck Slinky
Full Body Slinky
Sheets/Blankets
Coolers
Tail Bags
Fly Masks
Show Outfits
English Saddle Pads
Others???
I have sewn a neck slinky, you can buy patterns from suitability, but what I did is borrowed a friends and traced it. Then I used proportions (yup a bunch of math) to downsize it to make a pattern for a miniature horse slinky too. I also made a sheet for our miniature horse (Nugit), I have a pattern for horse size sheets but not miniature horse sized sheets so I took a foal blanket we had, traced than and figured out what I would need to do, to modify the foal sheet to fit Nugit i.e. add 6" in length, and used that as my pattern.
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| my homemade slinky |
Tail bags, well I have a few posts on sewing tail bags already on my blog and in some of the horse related forums on the internet.
Fly masks, this is something new that I ran across. I made a pattern from a fly mask I had bought and then decided that for the amount of work it would take, I would be better off just buying one off the shelf, plus theirs would tend to be heavier duty, because I do not have access to the same materials as the companies do. I did see some instructions on how to make fly masks on the internet though. If I ever change my mind and make one, I'll let you guys know.
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| this is a show shirt we made |
English Saddle pads: I made a pink cameo square saddle pad and it turned out really really cute.
I also came really close to making one with the number viewers on the sides, I have a pattern made up and everything! I made the pattern using a saddle pad, my number sheet and some paper. I figured out how big it would need to be ect. I think it would have worked out great but I needed one now (before I had bought my materials), so I bought the pad. Maybe I will still make one.
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| my cute homemade English saddle pad |
I know there are some things you can do too. Just look in a suitability catalog to get some ideas. They sell patterns that are good quality and have great instructions, they are a little spendy though at around $8-$16.
If there is enough interest, I could maybe write a post on sewing the neck slinky and see if there is a way I can share my pattern through cyberspace.
What have you made or dream of making?
Here is a website with a few things you can make for your horse, including someone talking about using a waterproof sleeping bag material for making horse blankets.
ReplyDeleteThank you to Musings Of A Cowgirl for pointing this out to me!
I was considering making an english pad myself, but I haven't gotten to it. I'm not super crafty, so I'd love to see what you come up with.
ReplyDeleteAlright when (if), I get around to it, I'll take pics and post them!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about making a western pad any ideas?
ReplyDeleteIt depends on what style of western saddle pad you are wanting to make. I tend to view western saddle pads and more "heavy duty" than the English saddle pad. I am not sure if a regular sewing machine could stick through...but that depends on how you make it as well. I am not sure if something homemade could provide as much cushion and support as a commercially made saddle pad.
DeleteHere is a link from a 4-H group on how to make a western saddle pad (I believe there are two styles). Note: the file is a PDF
Tutorial
how do you make the english saddle pad please write a post about it
ReplyDeleteHas anyone ever made saddle bags, as in a cantle bag or dual saddle bags to tie to the back of a western saddle? I'd like to make a set ... a water bottle bag, a cantle bag and rear saddle bags. Can't seem to find a pattern so will probably just make one similar to my purchased canvas bags. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI used to think Suitability patterns had a pattern for that, but I just checked their website and didn't see it. If you want to double check here is their website url http://www.suitability.com.
DeleteYeah, if it is somewhat simple, making the pattern to match really is not that bad, I did quite a bit of that when I was younger and had lots of time on my hands.