FN Shelf Top Liner Tutorial (simple version)
This tutorial is for a very quick and easy shelf liner (not pan) for your Ferret Nation cage. This isn't my preferred liner (I like mine ridiculously tight) but it works extremely well and is fast to make.
What you will need to sew this hammock (all measurements given in inches):
- Standard sewing apparatus (sewing machine, scissors, thread, measuring device, etc)
- 18" x 24" piece of fleece
- 18" x 24" piece of a second fabric -- I like cotton but you may use a double layer of fleece if you prefer
- Four 3" (or larger, if you want it tighter) pieces of elastic
- Two hook-and-eye sets (as one two hooks and two eyes)
Begin by laying your cotton (or whichever fabric you want to be the bottom of your liner) on the table, right side facing up. Place your elastic strips across every corner of the fabric and pin them in place. For two of the corners (opposite each other on a long edge, this will be the back portion of the liner) you are going to want to pin only one side of the elastic to the edge. Pin the other end up out of the way so you won't accidentally sew over it later (see the picture below for details). This is because we want that end of the elastic to remain loose so that we can fit it around the arm of the shelf (if you have a FN, hopefully you realize what I mean here). At this point I like to quickly stitch the elastic in place to prevent slippage later (keep that end pinned out of the way, though).
Now that you're all pinned / stitched in place, lay your second fabric (right side down) on top of your first fabric (right side up, you guessed it.. right sides together). Pin all the way around and head back to your sewing machine to sew it closed, just as you would any hammock (making sure to leave an unsewn portion to turn the fabric right side out).
Trim your seams, turn the fabric right side out, slip-stitch the hole closed!
When you look at your corners now, this is what you should see. Two corners should look like the left side of the photo, and two should look like the right side of the photo. Now take your hook-and-eye and get ready for some hand stitching! Sew the hook portion of the hook and eye to the loose end of elastic (do this to both elastics). Stretch it over and see where it wants to be connected and sew the eye portion of your hook and eye there.
The liner is ready to be placed on the shelf. Lay the liner down flat somewhere with the bottom side facing up. Lay the shelf down on top of the liner with the back portion of the shelf (the part that hooks onto the cage) down by the elastic with the hook and eye. Slip the elastic over the corners of the shelves (and this is why we have a hook and eye, you can easily hook it around the arm of the shelf now) and you're ready to go!
