Mommytomany
07-19-2008, 08:23 PM
I have a big flock, and one of things that EVERYONE loves is fleece. Well, I wanted everyone to have a nice fleece swing, but to buy that many would be crazy... so I finally got off my butt and made some.
Now, I have many larger birds so I only use stainless steel toy parts (they chew through the nickel plating). Because of that, I bought the bases from motherpluckinbirdtoys.com For birds as small as budgies, you could probably afford to be a little less fastidious. I have heard that cross stitching hoops make great bases and they are easier to find in small sizes.
Once you have a base the size you want, go to the fabric store and buy some fleece. I love that I get to pick the fleece because then I can get the high quality soft, flexible stuff. That's what the birds really love!
I would also buy some GOOD scissors. I made about four swings with regular scissors and my hands were KILLING me. Trust me, bite the bullet, buy the scissors to cut the fabric easily. Life will be better! When I finally did get the scissors, I even got some that cut the fabric in little zigzags for extra effect!
Anyway, figure out how long you want the strands to be. Double it, then add like half and inch (for tying it). If the fleece is really stretchy, you may want to be conservative about the length because you'll stretch it when you're tying it around the base.
Then cut a bunch of strands. A bunch!
Before tying on the strands, add the quick link (or rings to give the swing extra length between the quick-link and the swing... just make sure that whatever you're using is TIGHTLY closed so that no wandering bird toes can get stuck. Call you Dad or super-strong guy to friend to help if you need to) before adding so much fleece that you can't fit it on (which I've done!)!
Tie the strands so that half hangs over side and half over the other. Tie them tightly. After you get ten or so, squish them together as hard as you can. In my experience this is the difference between a so-so swing and a great looking swing. So-so swings just tie on the pieces until it looks full. Great swings tie on the pieces, squish them together, and then put on more and more until the swing is as full as possible.
Viola! A beautiful super comfy swing for you bird! I like to choose two or three colors and put them together or choose pattern fleece, but have fun with it!
My first attempt:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h178/rmgerdes/Pet%20Accomodations/100_6577.jpg
A HUGE one I made for Grace:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h178/rmgerdes/Grace/100_6672.jpg
Monet in her's:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h178/rmgerdes/Monet/100_6701.jpg
For an easy variation... find an untreated wreath and tie the fleece on that!:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h178/rmgerdes/Pet%20Accomodations/100_6632.jpg
Now, I have many larger birds so I only use stainless steel toy parts (they chew through the nickel plating). Because of that, I bought the bases from motherpluckinbirdtoys.com For birds as small as budgies, you could probably afford to be a little less fastidious. I have heard that cross stitching hoops make great bases and they are easier to find in small sizes.
Once you have a base the size you want, go to the fabric store and buy some fleece. I love that I get to pick the fleece because then I can get the high quality soft, flexible stuff. That's what the birds really love!
I would also buy some GOOD scissors. I made about four swings with regular scissors and my hands were KILLING me. Trust me, bite the bullet, buy the scissors to cut the fabric easily. Life will be better! When I finally did get the scissors, I even got some that cut the fabric in little zigzags for extra effect!
Anyway, figure out how long you want the strands to be. Double it, then add like half and inch (for tying it). If the fleece is really stretchy, you may want to be conservative about the length because you'll stretch it when you're tying it around the base.
Then cut a bunch of strands. A bunch!
Before tying on the strands, add the quick link (or rings to give the swing extra length between the quick-link and the swing... just make sure that whatever you're using is TIGHTLY closed so that no wandering bird toes can get stuck. Call you Dad or super-strong guy to friend to help if you need to) before adding so much fleece that you can't fit it on (which I've done!)!
Tie the strands so that half hangs over side and half over the other. Tie them tightly. After you get ten or so, squish them together as hard as you can. In my experience this is the difference between a so-so swing and a great looking swing. So-so swings just tie on the pieces until it looks full. Great swings tie on the pieces, squish them together, and then put on more and more until the swing is as full as possible.
Viola! A beautiful super comfy swing for you bird! I like to choose two or three colors and put them together or choose pattern fleece, but have fun with it!
My first attempt:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h178/rmgerdes/Pet%20Accomodations/100_6577.jpg
A HUGE one I made for Grace:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h178/rmgerdes/Grace/100_6672.jpg
Monet in her's:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h178/rmgerdes/Monet/100_6701.jpg
For an easy variation... find an untreated wreath and tie the fleece on that!:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h178/rmgerdes/Pet%20Accomodations/100_6632.jpg