How to make a Pro Collar:
(This was essential in keeping Rusty from regurge, as he wore it 24/7 except eating)
****Sewing Machine Needed****
1. Buy material that has some thickness to it. I found Fake Lamb’s Wool is easy to work with, adds cushioning, washer and dryer friendly and comfortable for pet.
2. 1 yd. for small dog, 1 1/2 yd. for large dog (Lab), 2 yd. for St. Bernard size
3. Use coat thread, for sew machine and Button thread, for sewing the 2 halves together and Double Folded Seam Biding for collar loops
4.1 large bag of pillow stuffing for a large dog WHEN STUFFING, MAKE SURE THEY ARE FIRM AND NOT LOOSELY STUFFED.
5. Use 2 sheets of newspaper to make 2 patterns exactly the same and for neck paper collar(which is only 1 layer of paper)
6. Measure (cloth tape measure or can use paper then measure that with a ruler) the neck of your dog EXACT (NOT LOOSE) Measure the SNOUT exactly, by placing a ruler under the chin, resting it from the neck and where the end of jaw is.. This will be your measurement for the SNOUT.
7. Use tape to connect the collar together.
8. Place the paper collar on 2 newspaper sheets, with the sheets together and draw around the circle.
9. Use a ruler to measure from the drawn circle out , for the width of your Pro Collar . This length is the SNOUT length PLUS an extra 2″. ( extra width allows for the 1/2′” seam and for the stuffing ,so you end up with a stuffed Pro Collar with the correct width to support the dog’s head and snout .
1/4 OF THAT PROCOLLAR PATTERN SHOULD BE MISSING, SO YOU HAVE CUT OUT 2 PATTERNS THAT LOOKS LIKE A “C”.
10. Label the patterns “A” and “B”
10. Fold your fabric together so the right sides are facing one another with seams all even.
11. Place your 2 patterns on them and secure with straight safety pins, so that the pointed end is facing straight away from the fabric(perpendicular), spaced every 4″. ( Do not pin closed the open ends of the collar where you’ll put stuffing in .)
12. Cut them out and remove the paper pattern form them but put back the straight pins from where they were.
13. Take Seam Binding and cut “4” of them in 3″ to 4!/2 inch strips, as they will be what the dog’s regular collar will thread through when the Pro Collar is done. The wider the collar is the longer the strips.
14. Fold each in half and place 2 of them in between the material on the side of the pattern where the neck will be. The “2” should be centered in that area , with at least a 3 ” spacing between the 2 seam binding strips, that are folded in half. The cut sides are facing out of the material and the fold is sandwiched in between. Straight pins should be holding these in place.
15. Now use your sewing machine to sew a 1/2″ seam on the inside of the “C” , going over the loops back and forth so they are secure as you sew the whole neck edge.
16. Finish by sewing the outside edge leaving open the ends for stuffing.
17. Now *inside out* both halves of the Pro Collar, so you see the right side of the material. The loops should be clearly seen, now.
18. Completely stuff one of sides( “A”), firmly.
19.Take the second unstuffed one( “B” )and sleeve it over the end of the stuffed one(“A). Allow for at least 4” or more of the material to cover the stuffed end (“A), fold under the raw edge at least to 2″ under for a nice edge to sew the two together . GET YOUR NEEDLE AND BUTTON THREAD TOGETHER READY TO SEW IN A FEW MINUTES. Now place in your lap the Pro c Collar facing away from you. Pull that edge tight to come within a close distance of the collar loop you have sewn in the inside neck area. Get your PAPER COLLAR to judge if you need pull more material closer or farther from the loop., as soon, you will be stuffing the other side to complete your Pro Collar. STUFF ATLEAST 4 ” FIRMLY AND SEW THE 2 PARTS TOGETHER. SMALL TIGHT STITCHES AROUND THE WHOLE CIRCUMFRANCE.
20 . GET READY FOR WHEN YOU NEED IT, A NEW NEEDLE AND THREAD TO FIINISH YOUR PRO COLLAR. Now start stuffing(B”) the REST of the empty side, as firm as, you can. You WILL NOT be fully stuffing this second side(“B). This is where you need to use the paper collar again, to JUDGE how much more to stuff to, till it is your dog’s neck size. *NEXT** SLEEVE OVER THE OTHER SIDE(“A) so it fits exactly your dog’s neck size and not loosely. You must use the loops for the collar, so don’t cover them with any of the extra material of the sleeve. To finish it, you connect them by folding under the extra material to make a nice edge. PULLING THE UNSTUFFED REMAINING END(“B”) OVER THE STUFFED END(“A”). Now pull tight and finish sewing tight small stitches with your needle an d thread.
MAKE SURE THE TWO JOINTS THAT HOLD PRO COLLAR TOGETHER ARE STRONG AND NOT BENDABLE. IF THIS HAPPENS, YOU HAVE NOT PULLED ENOUGH OF THE ENDS INTO THE SLEEVE or need more stuffing . You may have to take out your hand stitching and redue.

If you are having any problems understanding these instructions, look for the pictures I have taken which show the whole process in this file of “How to make a Pro Collar”. Feel free to call me if further need help. 1-717-566-6502.
Barbara and Angel Rusty