about shop patterns projects printables extras sponsorship wild olive twitter flickr pinterest subscribe

project // 1-hour piggy pouch for guinea pigs

Piggy Pouch

Hello. Captain Cuddles here. My mama asked me to introduce this post today because she made something sweet and cuddly for me! Mollie calls it a piggy pouch, and she put me inside, so I guess that makes me the piggy.

When my adopted sister Lieutenant Nibbles or I are inside this snuggly spot, we feel so secure. We also like to poke around inside. I don't want to brag or anything, but I think it makes me extra cute. Way cuter than Nibbles. But don't tell her I said that. She scares me sometimes.

Thanks for my new pouch mama Mollie! And thanks for letting me write a little something for your blog!


Piggy Pouch

Thanks, Captain!

You know, it's a risk asking a guinea pig to write for your blog, but I think she did a great job. Am I right?

This soft pouch is basically a fabric bag with a flat bottom where the guinea pigs can hang out. It's part blankie and part cave. I just made this and it's still new to them, but both of the piggies really seem to like it. The humans like it because it's easy to hold them without having them squirm away.

And yeah, they look super cute inside.

I found similar things online to order, but I knew it would be simple to make and I was right. There are easily a dozen ways to make a lined bag. I referenced the 1-Hour Basket for the basics and made adjustments from there. Read on for those customizations.

Piggy Pouch

The piggy pouch is super soft and can be scrunched down around them (or pulled up tall for them to scrunch down themselves). If you fold the sides down a couple times it can be more structured and like a basket.

I just love how Captain Cuddles peeks out over the top!

Piggy Pouch

We've been folding it down one time, making it easier for the piggies to see, but still keeping the sides moveable. This is where it becomes like a hide or a cave. We can also carry them without having them wiggle away, although they do like to poke their noses out to see where they're going.

What's funny though is that once you set them down in the pouch, they haven't really tried to climb out. I guess that means they like it!

Again, this is very new to them. So far, they haven't had any accidents inside, but it's totally washable for when it does happen. I folded a hand towel in the bottom for extra absorbency just in case.

Piggy Pouch

To make your own piggy pouch (which could work for other small pets too), use this as a guide:

Start with the 1-Hour Basket tutorial.

Supplies:
(skip the other items on the original list)
Two 15x15 pieces of outer fabric
Two 15x15 pieces of anti-pill fleece

1. Follow steps 3-9 in the tutorial, using the fleece as the lining piece. In steps 5-6 I measured the 3" from the seam, not the edge of the fabric.

2. Skip step 10 because you aren't adding handles. Follow steps 11-13. You can top stitch the edge as in step 14, but it's not necessary.

3. Finally, sew the opening closed as in step 15.

Because of skipping a few things, this will take a lot less than an hour to make. Right now I just have this one made, but I'll probably make a couple more so we have at least one for each of the guinea pigs.

I'm pretty sure that both of them will fit in this one bag and they'll most likely snuggle with each other. But if it's too small, I can always sew up a pouch that's a little wider.

Yay for guinea pig stitching!

15 comments:

  1. That is sooo darn cute! We used to have a piggie but have three dogs at the moment, one of whom is a terrier and cannot help but be a bit of a hunter. I do miss having a guinea pig though!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh dear sweet Captain Cuddles - you are adorable! Don't be too hard on LT Nibbles - she's probably just in awe of your cuteness and is hoping all the family love her too! You sure are a rock star in your piggy pouch!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Super cute. I'll have to make some for my 2 piggies! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Super cute. I'll have to make some for my 2 piggies! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. How cute! And what a loving mama you are! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh! I love your little ears, Captain Cuddles. You are darling.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh! I love your little ears, Captain Cuddles. You are darling.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think Jack would like one of these - I might make a giant one for him!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is so cute, and I do love guinea pigs.... However, I have a kitty/cat (she's still deciding!) and I think she would love it. I think I'm going to give this try, and make it bigger. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  10. When I click your link for the 1 hour basket, I don't see the instructions. Can you help me? Also, could you give suggested measurements for a pouch for two piggies?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The free version is no longer available, but I just uploaded the link to the version she sells on Etsy:

      https://www.etsy.com/listing/501308594/friends-of-the-hour-basket-pattern

      Also, the size for two piggies would probably depend on how big they are and how close they like to be. If I were guessing, I'd cut the pieces to 15 inches high and 20 inches wide.

      Delete
  11. Your link to the 1 hour basket tutorial doesn't open. I think this link is for the video tutorial you intended- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0hP-1goFz0 The video has a link to free Craftsy instructions. This link also won't open! Can you provide a link to the instructions?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't been able to find the free version anywhere now, but there's a version from the designer on Etsy that has lots of customizations: https://www.etsy.com/listing/501308594/friends-of-the-hour-basket-pattern

      Delete

I often reply to comments in the comments...check back if you have a question!