Dog Collars - Martingales

Because I have greyhounds, we tend to use martingales for collars. I don't follow a specific pattern, I just kinda make one based on neck measurements.

I replace collars about every 3 years if they make it that long (i.e., if the other half doesn't 'lose' them) I also reuse the metal hardware. Some of the hardware I'm using now came from old collars from when my bridge girl was around. We do collars even with a harness (sometimes they don't wear the harness but thats another post for another day.)

Martingales aren't exactly the most straight forward, and IMO, they should be sized for the dog. Too big is just as bad as too small. but the size circumference and height has to be dog appropriate.

I have (at least currently) 2 small greyhounds, and only 1 does fine with a 2 inch collar, my other uses 1 1/2 inch collars only.

Materials:

• Quilt cotton, sometimes cotton velveteen for the inner portion around the neck if I have it

• Webbing. I get mine from Strapworks as its one of the better places I've found for it.

• 3 rounded triglide slides, 1 d ring. If I don't have enough to harvest from old collars then I use ones from Country Brook Designs. They're sized exactly how I need.

I sew everything together using an outdoor thread that has UV protection in both the bobbin and top thread on a size 16 needle. And because I really only need a straight stitch, I use a Juki TL-2010Q to put it all together.