This easy collar for small or large dogs will have you thinking crazy thoughts like, "Maybe I should make a collar for Sparky to match my skirt today." You can find collar clips and D-rings at the sewing store in the notions section. They are usually plastic and heavy-duty. Make sure to add the D-ring, because that's what you want to hang the ID tags from, and a leash can attach to it as well.

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Materials
• Clip closure: 3/4" to 1-1/2" (2 to 3.8 cm), depending on the size of the dog
• Collar fabric: 4" x 22-ish" (10 x 56-ish cm), depending on clip size
• Twill tape: about 2" (5 cm) length
• D-ring: 1" (2.5 cm) wide
• Safety pins

Seam allowance: 1/4" (6 mm)

1. Measure your dog's neck and add about 5 - 7" (12.5 - 18 cm). Determine the width by measuring the opening in your clip and double it. Then add 1/2" (13 mm) to this amount. For example, the blue collar clip pictured is 1" (2.5 cm) wide, so I cut a 2-1/2" (6.3 cm) wide piece. Fold over a 1/4" (6 mm) edge on one short end and press. Top-stitch. (See diagram A, below)

2. Turn over 1/4" (6 mm) of top and bottom edge of strip and press. Fold it in half and press. Edge-stitch both edges. Now one end will be finished and one end will have raw edges. (See diagram B, below)

3. Thread the strap through the clasp of the clip, safety pin in place, and wrap around your dog's neck. If it's way too long, cut some excess off the raw edge of the collar.

4. Unpin and now sew onto the clasp. Take the raw edge end and thread through the clasp, turning the raw end under and stitching across. Cut a small piece of twill tape and slide the D-ring on. On the back side, stitch across the tape ends several times to securely attach the tape to the collar. Thread the finished collar edge through the other end of the clip and tighten as needed to fit your dog's neck. (See diagram C, below)

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Excerpted from Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew by Amy Karol. Copyright 2007 by Amy Karol. Excerpted with permission from Potter Craft, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.