Living Pets How to Make a Cat Hammock Turn your side table into a napping spot for your cat with just a few pieces of scrap fabric, batting, and cotton ribbon. By Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Martha Stewart is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lifestyle expert who has taught millions of people through generations the joy of entertaining, cooking, gardening, collecting, crafting, and home renovating via her eponymous magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Emmy-winning television shows, and 99 books (and counting). Based in Katonah, N.Y., where she helms her 156-acre Bedford Farm, Martha is America's first self-made female billionaire. Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 12, 2023 Close Photo: Chloe Mackintosh Did you know cats can spend up to 16 hours a day sleeping? Our furry friends love to find obscure places to take their catnaps. Finding the perfect spot often means cat hair winds up on pillows, sweaters, or clean laundry. Give your kitty a special place to relax with this easy DIY cat hammock. This idea comes from our friend Chloe Mackintosh of Boxwood Avenue. "My cat, Mimi, is very old and spends most of her day napping," she says. "She loves this spot next to the window where she can watch the birds and bask in the sunshine." For this project, you will need a table that has a top platform opening for securing ribbon ties. "If you don't have one, you can find wonderful inexpensive options at places like Ikea and Target," Mackintosh says. "Or, if you have a wooden table, you can screw or nail little pegs to the four legs to serve as the hanging spot for this kitty hammock." This cat hammock is easy to remove and wash once it inevitably fills up with your furry companion's hair. Even better, it blends right in with your décor so that you don't need to have an extra piece of furniture. Pets What You'll Need Materials Fabric, 1 yard Twill tape, 12 inches Batting Quilter's ruler Fabric scissors Straight pins Sewing machine and supplies Side table (optional) Instructions Cut your fabric: Chloe Mackintosh Measure the dimensions of your table. Cut two squares of fabric measured to match your table dimensions plus 1 inch (for seam allowance). (Note: If your table measures 20 by 20 inches, then cut 2 squares of fabric that measure 21 by 21 inches.) Cut strips of cotton ribbon: Chloe Mackintosh Cut 8 strips of durable cotton ribbon or trim measuring roughly 12 inches in length. Pin ribbon to the fabric: Chloe Mackintosh Set aside one of the fabric squares. On the other, pin two strands of ribbon at each corner roughly 1 inch each from the corner at a slight diagonal. Pin the ribbon to the right side of the fabric. Place fabric squares together: Chloe Mackintosh Place the two fabric squares together so that the wrong sides are showing. Pin into place. Stitch around the squares: Chloe Mackintosh Top stitch around the perimeter of the squares leaving one of the sides open. If you'd like, you can backstitch over the ribbon to reinforce. Allow your stitch to curve at the corners creating a nice rounded edge. Trim the corners: Chloe Mackintosh Trim away the corners once finished. Turn the cat bed right side out: Chloe Mackintosh Turn the cat bed right side out and press the seams. Cut a piece of batting to match the size of the cat bed. Insert the batting: Chloe Mackintosh Insert the batting into the bed. Pin the open side closed: Chloe Mackintosh Fold and pin the open side closed, then top stitch to close the opening. Tie the bed into place: Chloe Mackintosh Tie the bed into place on your table, adjusting the height as needed. Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART