DIY Dog Toy Basket

I love my toys, lots of toys. I’m a puppy who plays and naps. I needed a place to put all of my toys when I’m not playing. I like to run after balls that are too big to fit in most baskets, so my owner decided to just make a custom DIY dog toy basket!

Make your own dog toy basket that fits right where you want to store the toys. This one doesn’t have any handles, so it is easy for Lucy to get her toys out by herself, and maybe someday, pick them up and put them away, too!

My finished basket is 20″ long and 10″ deep, made out of thick home decorator fabric and thick interfacing. It is very sturdy, and washable! My owner measured it so it fits right in a corner near my bed, and behind the couch.

Let’s start the dog toy basket!

First of all, start by cutting 3 pieces 20″ x 10″ from very thick double sided fusible interfacing, like TimTex, and cut 2 pieces 10″ x 10″. Adjust your pieces based on the finished size you’d like your dog toy basket.

Next, cut 6 pieces of fabric 11″ x 22″ and 4 pieces of fabric 11″ x 11″. Use a heavy weight durable fabric to help the stability of the dog toy baskets, and improve the wear and tear of the finished dog toy basket.

Then, center each piece of interfacing between two pieces of fabric, with about 1/2″ spacing around each edge of interfacing.

I found if I put one piece of fabric down, center the interfacing, and then lay the other piece fabric on top, matching the edges, I get a good result. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just close. Make sure that none of the fusible is peeking out from the fabric. It will make a mess of your iron and/or ironing board.

Next, carefully press the heavy weight interfacing between the two pieces of fabric, with right sides out on both sides, according to the directions that come with the interfacing. I use lots of steam and high heat. Now you have 5 pieces of stiff fabric.

Now it is time to start putting the toy basket together. Sew one long side to another long side.  I just lined them up and sewed right along the edge of the interfacing. There is about a 1/2″ seam allowance. Do the same for the other long side.

Now, the toy box begins to come together. Take the center long piece and sew the 11″ x 11″ end pieces to each end. Then sew each side piece to the base, to form a box.

You’re almost there!

It’s time to turn the box inside out and it is not very stable, especially since this one is so big. (I’m helping my owner with the sewing. It’s not going very fast with all of my help!)

While my owner was busy sewing, I took the time to watch the squirrels and birds in my front yard.

Next step is to make the big fabric box stand up well and be sturdy. Add about 1″ tucks in each corner, to give it more stability. To finish off the top edges, zigzag stitch around the top edge. The DIY Dog Toy Box is now done and ready for all of the toys and bones!