Sling

An easy project for when they need a little help

Ingredients

  • 1/2 yard of heavy weight fabric

  • 2 yards of double fold bias tape or 1/2” leather or ribbon

  • Sewing machine and supplies (thread, needles, etc.)

Maker’s Notes

This is a project that I never thought I’d ever have to make - as I’m sure any of you embarking on this project thought as well. There are so many reasons to need a sling, I hope this normalizes things a bit. I thought we’d only need one, but ended up making quite a few since it’s nice to keep one within easy reach at all times.

I also used remnants and recycled leather for this, but there are a number of things that you can use around the house. Thinking creatively, you could also use an old towel, doubled up pillow cases, a heavy duty apron, or even a blanket or the backs of a few old dress shirts. As an alternative to making handles, you can also use 1” webbing or reuse an old leash.

There are plenty of re-use options - we just need to look for them.

1.Make the cuts

Cut a 4.5” x 47” strip of fabric for the handle (this will make two handles) . Then cut the main body of the sling. For my 80lb GSD, I chose an 8.5” x 22.5” rectangle. Send me a note if you need help adjusting the size for a different dog. I’m here to help.

2. Press

Press the horizontal edges of the 4.5” x 47” strip toward the center, press. Then fold the two horizontal edges together and press again.

3. Sew the handles

Sew at a 1/4” seam on both sides of the strip you just made to set the handles. I used a straight stitch set at 3 on the machine. Cut the resulting strip into half (at 23.5”) to make the two handles.

4. Sew the handles onto the sling

Turn over each side of the main fabric by 1/4” to enclose the raw edges then turn it over again by 1 inch (I have it set at about an inch and a quarter in the picture). Set the end of a handle into the side of the loop you just created about an inch away from the edge of the body of the sling. Do the same thing with the other end of the handle, taking care not to add another twist into the handle. Sew at a 1/8” seam to lock the handles into place. Repeat on the other side.

5. Turn the handle and sew

Turn each handle toward the outside of the sling. Lock the handles into place with square with a diagonal cross in the inside.

6. Finish the edges

Sew the bias binding (or leather as shown here) onto the sides of the sling to keep the long sides from fraying. In this case, I’m placing the sling into the middle of the leather and turning it over to sew a very narrow 1/8” seam using a small 3 stitch on my machine.

7. Take care of your pup!

The sling is ready to be used. I’ve found it easiest to help my girl up by starting to lift her by a sit bone (near the tail), sliding the sling under her stomach, then pulling with the handles. A sling of this length allows us us to walk with my arm fully extended to hold her weight. If she wants to go for a longer walk (not in the wheelchair), I have a short leash I can attach to the handles to put over my shoulder.

I wish you the best in the recovery of your pup!!