How to Sew a Martingale Collar?

A martingale collar is an essential training tool for many dog owners. This type of collar features an extra loop that prevents it from fully tightening around your dog’s neck when they pull on the leash, making martingale collars much safer and more comfortable than regular collars.

Sewing your own martingale collar allows you to customize the size, fabric, and hardware to perfectly fit your pup. Though the construction involves several steps, the process is very straightforward with the right guidance.

If you’re handy with a needle and thread, read on to learn how to sew a customized martingale collar for your dog.

What is a Martingale Collar?

A martingale collar, also known as a limited-slip collar, is made with two loops rather than one. It’s designed to gently tighten around your dog’s neck when they pull on the leash, applying pressure to get them to stop pulling. However, it only tightens to a certain point to prevent choking or injury.

When not applying pressure while on a walk, a properly fitted martingale collar should sit comfortably loose around the dog’s neck like a regular flat collar. Nylon and other fabric martingale collars feature a metal ring and slider piece that allow the two loops to tighten and loosen as needed during walks.

Read More : How to Sew a Bingo Bag?

Martingale collars are often used for training dogs that pull hard on leashes or for breeds that often slip out of regular collars, like Greyhounds. Their design makes them much safer and more difficult to back out of than traditional collars.

Gather Your Supplies

Making your own martingale collar allows you to select durable, attractive fabrics and hardware. Gather the following supplies before starting:

Fabrics

• 1/4 yard or more of a cotton, nylon, or other durable washable fabric for the outer layer
• 1/4 yard or more of cotton flannel or other soft fabric for the lining
• Matching thread
• 1/2 inch wide interfacing (optional)

Other Supplies

• 1 1-inch slider piece
• 1 heavy welded D-ring, 1-inch width recommended
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Straight pins
• Hand-sewing needle

Take Measurements

To ensure proper fit, you’ll need to measure your dog’s neck before cutting out the fabric. Their ideal martingale collar size may differ from their regular collar size.

Neck Size

Use a soft measuring tape to measure around the widest part of your dog’s neck where a regular collar would sit. For the most comfortable fit, make sure they are standing comfortably and not flexing their neck.

Measure to the nearest 1/8th of an inch for the pattern.

Determine Collar Length

In addition to overall neck circumference, martingale collars have an adjustable length ranging from about 12 to 24 inches long depending on the size of the dog. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to cut the loops 8 inches longer than the base neck measurement.

So if your dog’s neck measures 16 inches around, cut the loops 24 inches long (16 + 8 inches).

Cut the Fabric

With your exact measurements, use a fabric marker and ruler to measure and cut the outer and lining fabrics for the collar.

Cut the Outer Fabric

• Cut one strip about 2 inches wide by the full loop length plus 1 inch (for seam allowances). So for a 24-inch loop collar, cut it 26 inches long.
• Cut one strip that’s 1 1/4 inches wide by 8 inches long, for the adjustment strap.

Cut the Lining Fabric

• Cut one strip the same size as the outer loop strip.
• Cut another strip 1 inch wide by 8 inches long.

Sew the Outer Fabric

With right sides facing, pin then sew the short ends of the outer loop strip together to form a continuous loop. Finish the seam edges.

Sew the Short Sides

Align the outer fabric into a loop, with rough sides facing each other. Sew across one short end using 1⁄2 inch seam allowance.

Sew the Topstitching

On the outer side of the loop, topstitch about 1/8 inch from the edge, all the way around the strip to create a visible seam line. This encloses the raw edges for a clean look.

Attach the Hardware

Slide the 1-inch slider piece and D-ring onto the outer fabric loop before assembling the lining and outer layers.

Attach the Slider Piece

Open up the metal slider piece and insert one layer of the loop through it, centering it along one side.

Attach the D-Ring

Next, slide the 1-inch D-ring over the loose tail ends, positioning it about 4 inches from the slider piece. Align the cut ends of the loop evenly.

Sew the Lining

With right sides together, pin and sew the short ends of the lining loop closed so it mirrors the outer loop shape.

Align the Lining

Insert the outer collar through the lining loop so right sides are facing and the fabrics are perfectly aligned. Make sure the hardware is pushed down between the layers properly.

Sew the Lining

Sew all the way around the lining, sewing it to the outer layer with a 1⁄2 inch seam allowance. Leave a 3-inch opening along one long side for turning the collar right side out later.

Attach the Outer and Lining

With the outer fabric inserted through the lining, align the two into exactly the same shape and size, with hardware sandwiched between.

Pin the Layers Together

Working slowly and carefully to avoid shifting, insert pins around the entire perimeter to hold the two layers in position. Keep hardware pushed down inside.

Topstitch the Layers

Edgestitch carefully around the entire collar, about 1/8 inch from the edge, closing the lining’s side opening as you sew around.

This encloses all raw fabric edges neatly inside. Turn collar right side out through slider hardware.

Add the Adjustment Straps

To finish the adjustable martingale loops, sew small nylon fabric tabs on each cut tail end.

Cut the Straps

Cut two 1 1/4” x 8” strips of nylon or other strong fabric (or use the lining). Fold each in half right sides together so it measures 1 1/4” x 4”.

Sew the Straps

Pin a strap across each tail end of the collar, centering it over the cut fabric edges. Sew around all four sides of the square patch with 1⁄4 inch seam allowance.

Trim any excess strap length if needed once sewn. The tabs complete the adjustable loop.

Finish the Raw Edges

Before wearing, finish all inner seams to tidy up the interior collar structure.

Trim Excess Fabric

Carefully trim away any excess seam allowance bulk from the lining side to reduce friction and discomfort inside the collar loops.

Finish Seams

Finish the inner seams by zigzag stitching, adding seam tape, or using other methods so the fabric edges don’t fray with wear. Turn collar fully right side out when complete.

Conclusion

Sewing a custom martingale collar requires careful measurement, cutting, and alignment of several pieces. But the end result is a safe, comfortable, and stylish collar that fits your pup perfectly.

Take your time following each step, and don’t hesitate to remove stitches and try again if pieces become misaligned. With precision and patience, you can create a high-quality collar your dog can comfortably wear for years.

FAQs

How tight should a martingale collar be when fully closed?
It should only cinch snugly enough not to slide over your dog’s ears. You should easily fit two fingers between the collar and their neck when tightened.

What’s the difference between a martingale and regular collar?
Martingale collars tighten when pulled but not to the point of choking or causing injury. Regular flat collars continue tightening infinitely when leash pressure is applied.

Should my dog wear a collar all the time or just for walks?
For safety reasons, dogs should only wear a snug martingale collar during walks or off-leash activities. Wearing any collar for over 8 hours daily risks irritation or injury. Use breakaway collars for regular day use instead.