I like to switch up my dog's collar every once in a while but I don't like to spend a lot of money...solution...dollar store!

I found some basic dog collars at the dollar store and upgraded them with a little bit of ribbon and an iron-on name tag.

His old name tag fell off recently (still haven't found it...), so I used what I had at home and made him an iron-on name tag that will definitely not fall off : )

Step 1: Supplies

Supplies Needed For The Collar:

Tools:

Sewing Machine
Scissors
Binder Clips

Materials:

Dog Collar ( I got mine for $1 at the dollar store)
Your Choice of Ribbon ( I only needed 25" of each collar of ribbon)
Thread

Supplies Needed For The Name Tag:

Tools:

Computer
Printer
Iron
Rotary Cutter / Scissors
Cutting Mat
Ruler
Binder Clips

Materials:

Canvas Fabric
Iron-On Paper
Clear Vinyl (The vinyl will help protect the name tag from getting damaged and worn)

* Modify these supplies with anything you like (printed fabric, studs, chains etc.) these are just the basics *

Step 2: Take Apart the Dog Collar

The first step is to take apart the dog collar so you are left with just the webbing (no hooks attached)

The collar I bought was only sewn together in two places so I started by clipping the threads at one end, then pulling off all of the hooks and sliders, and finished by clipping off the remaining threads at the opposite end.

Step 3: Attach the Ribbon

Once all of the hooks and sliders are removed, it is time to add the ribbon or trim of your choice.

I added an extra 1" to the length of the decorative ribbon so I could fold the edges over 1/2".

Sew the ribbon to the collar using matching thread.

Step 4: Reassemble the Dog Collar

When the ribbon is attached you can reassemble to dog collar.

Insert 1 end of the collar through the slider ( known as a triglide - its the piece with 2 holes)

Fold the end of the collar over about 2", wrong sides together.

Sew the end of the 2" piece to the collar, I created a small square with an X stitch in the center to keep it secure.

Add the small slider through the open end of the collar. (known as the collar loop - it is the small rectangle piece)

Add the pronged half of the buckle to the open end of the collar, and position it 2/3 of the way down.

Take the open end of the collar and pull it through the small slider.

Pull the open end of the collar through the large slider (with 2 holes)

Add the d-ring to the open end of the collar.

Pull the open end of the collar through the remaining buckle piece, and fold the end over about 2".

Sew the end of the 2" piece to the collar, use the same square stitch with an X in the center to keep it secure.

* See the pictures for a visual explanation : ) *

Step 5: Attach the Name

I made the name tag using iron-on paper, a piece of canvas and covered it with a piece of clear vinyl.

I started by fitting the collar to my dog and measured the amount of open space I had to work with.

The final measurements for my tag were 4" x 1/2". I made the height slightly smaller than the actual collar so I had room for the stitching on the clear vinyl cover.

I printed the name tag out on iron-on paper and since I used the kind for dark fabrics I did not need to flip the text. I also filled the page with extra name tags so I could use them in the future and so I didn't waste any paper.

I ironed the name tag on a piece of canvas fabric that was slightly larger than the tag so I could trim it down afterwards.

Once the name tag was ironed on, I used a rotary cutter to trim off the excess fabric.

I used binder clips to position the tag in place, and sewed it to the collar using a really tiny zig zag stitch to help protect the edges from fraying.

Next I added the vinyl cover which I made the same height as the collar and slightly longer than the tag.

I used binder clips to position the vinyl cover in place and sewed it to the collar using a straight stitch.

Done!