Do you have a dog? And do you like to spoil it with dog toys? Well, have you ever thought of making your own handmade dog toys?
Apparently us Brits as well as being tea drinkers we love our dogs too!
I’m not fussed about tea (more of a coffee lover), but I do have a dog. In fact, most of my friends and family own dogs too. We love to fuss over them with treats and toys.
This denim dog toy tutorial featured under the letter D in the A to Z of denim upcycles.
Upcycle Your Jeans Into The Cutest Dog Toys.
Our Dog pack..
My craft club friend Wendy’s dog Lottie’s (of giant wall art fame) loves to destroy her dog toys. They don’t last five minutes and Wendy is fed up with constantly buying new ones.
Lottie is not the only craft club dog, there’s my dog Toby a Foxy Russell (Jack Russell, Fox Terrier cross). Toby’s the old man of the pack, we’re not quite sure how old Toby actually is as he was a rescue dog, but think he’s about 14 years old now.
Then there’s Buster another Jack Russell with a Napoleon complex. I couldn’t make just one toy for Lottie. I had to make a pile of handmade dog toys for them all.
Lottie is not interested in the supposedly indestructible heavy-duty rubber dog toys. She likes the soft plush ones that squeak. I suggested making our own handmade dog toys. Not only would we save a bit of money but they may last a little longer.

Why Denim Dog Toys?..
I never throw away old jeans. I even save all the scraps from previous craft projects. Most of the time I find a use for every part of a pair of jeans.
A couple of weeks ago I made some lovely denim hearts out of scraps. I’ve made rugs out of the waistbands, and even lampshades out of the seams.
Since denim is such a robust fabric and as I have lots of it I decided to make my handmade dog toys out of denim.
These dog toys also come with the squeak. However, if squeaky dog toys drive you mad you can leave that bit out.
Luckily these dog toys were really simple to make, therefore, I make a load of them really quickly.

By the way, these handmade dog toys aren’t just for Jack Russells but can be enjoyed by any breed of dog. I’m going to give one to the cute Beagle (Millie) round the corner.
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What you need to make denim handmade dog toys
- Old jeans, or denim scraps. Any part of the jean will do. It’s great if you can get some denim seams on to the dog toys. To achieve a two-tone effect I used denim from more than one pair of jeans. I’m sure the dogs didn’t appreciate this aesthetic but I did!
- Fibre fill– I fortunately had a load of natural wool fiberfill that had been used as insulation for a fresh food delivery. However, you can use any fiberfill that is child-friendly. (If it’s child-friendly it should be dog-friendly).
- Needle and thread – I used a sewing machine to make my dog toys, but they are very easy to sew by hand.

How to Make Handmade Dog Toys

2. Then lay the dog bone template on the wrong side of your denim scrap and draw round it.

3. Using scissors cut out the dog bone shape. Make sure you have 2 dog bone shapes for each toy. I used two contrasting denim shades for each dog toy.

4. Then pin the denim bones right sides together and sew them either by hand or on a machine. Remember to leave a small opening and a 5mm approx margin.

5. Next, by using the small opening turn the denim dog toy the right side out.

6. Finally, stuff your denim dog bone with the fiber and don’t forget to put in your squeaker before sewing up the opening.



These denim dog toys are a bargain. The only cost is for the squeak inside!


Personally, I think these denim handmade dog toys are the coolest ones in town. Whether or not the dogs think that I’m not sure. I know many dog lovers though that would love to receive one of these denim bones as a gift.

Top tip: I if you use the pocket bit of your old jeans when making your dog toys, you can then hide a treat inside the pocket. This gives the handmade dog toys an extra fun element as the dog tries to work the treat out of the pocket.
If you are looking for more ideas for denim dog accessories and toys I’ve curated a collection of ideas.

Cool Handmade Denim Dog Toys

Materials
- Old jeans
- Fiberfil
- Dog toy squeak
Tools
- Scissors
- Needle and thread
Instructions
- Download and cut out the dog bone template from the blog. Or draw your own.
- Draw around the template on to jeans
- Cut out two dog bone shapes
- Pin the denim dog bones pieces wrong sides together
- Sew leaving a gap for stuffing and dog squeak.
- Turn right side out, stuff and then stitch to close.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
For more sewn dog accessories visit allfreesewing.com
If you love to craft with denim I have a made a lot of wonderful things out of old jeans, you can check them all out here.:
Judy G
Thanks for the great idea. I have lots of old jeans on hand. I was looking for a gift idea for my grand dog. When I downloaded the template, I thought it didn’t appear to be as big as the denim bones appeared in the photos. I made one and it turned out to be about 6 inches long by 4 inches tall. I lengthened the template and the next denim bone I made was about 8 inches by 4 inhces. I am going to send both to my son and my grand dog and see which one they like. Thanks again.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Judy. I’m sure he will love both, you can make them any size you want depending on the size of your dog.
Robert Marion
Great toys, Looks easy to make. I will try these.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ?
Cheri
Great tut, thanks. Have you or any readers tried washing them in a machine ?
How well did they hold up ?
Claire Armstrong
They are denim so should be perfectly fine to wash in the machine. Thank you ?
squeaky dog toys
“We have owned a canine daycare for 14 years.
Jamie
These are adorable. I would love for you to stop by diyhshp.blogspot.com and link your dog toys up to my More the Merrier Monday link party.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and thanks for the invite!
Jenni
I didn’t have any filling so any part of the jean I wasn’t using I cut up kind of small and used as stuffing. I made sure not to have any zipper or anything metal in it. We don’t have a dog but hopefully some like a different texture inside. My boys are going to donate them to a shelter or something.
Claire Armstrong
That sounds like a great idea. I like how you were very creative with the filling.
kushMehra
wow…What a great idea to make a toy for my lovely pooch. Thanks you so much for sharing awesome trick. Keep Posting…..
Claire Armstrong
Thank you!
Gloria
Love the idea, I will stuff mine with old socks.
Claire Armstrong
That sound like a great use for all those odd socks I have at the bottom of the laundry basket. Thank you!
Megan
I bet I could stuff them with old Tshirt scraps or even denim scraps if i don’t have wool! My guys like crinkly toys so I could even put some water bottle pieces in for that crinkly effect. Cat lovers can also get involved. A little fish. Add some cat nip. Such a cute idea! ???
Claire Armstrong
They all sound like good ideas. Thank you!
Mel Vance
Great Idea! Such a good use of old things.
I’ve shared with my followers because it’s something they’d definitely LOVE to try!!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you much and cheers for the share. ?
Lea
Well if these aren’t adorable and such a great gift!! You are very creative.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and the dogslike them too!
Linda Gwin
Love the dog bone in denim. I make Ms Lexie her toys. Her favorite is when I use the cereal liner from a box of cold cereal. I sew the liner in part of the seam so it doesn’t get wadded up. They are very crinkly ( got the idea at a baby shower), I put in some batting, cereal liner, a squeaky and she plays for a long time. I am now going to make her some more using your denim and bone shape, along with my cereal liner.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and thanks for the feral liner tip that sounds like a great idea.
Heather
These are absolutely amazing! I was just looking at my sons ripped jeans and wondering what to do with them and this is perfect!! x
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, good luck with them. I have 3 teenage boys so a plentiful supply of ripped jeans.
Grandmas House DIY
These are so great and cute! Thank you for sharing with us at the To Grandma’s house we go weekly link party, you will be featured in the new party that starts tomorrow morning! Hope to see you there!
Claire Armstrong
That’s awesome, I look forward to seeing it.
Amber
These dog toys are just downright adorable and my two doggies would love them !!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they are lovely dogs too! Very friendly.
Katy SkipTheBag
I bet my puppies would love this! And I think I’ve got a pair of jeans on their last legs (if you pardon the pun). I love the tip about using the pocket for dog treats! Thanks for sharing on the Waste Less Wednesday Blog Hop!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and good luck with them. I’m sure the puppies will have fun with treats in the pockets.
Carole
This is the cutest project I’ve seen in a long time. My dog would love it and probably rip it apart in minutes. She’s a coon hound and seems to have no boundries when it comes to dog toys. So she finds weird stuff on the farm like pine cones and branches to play with. This project though really rocks and what a great tutorial.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you! I think that’s half the fun for dogs tearing the toys apart. The good thing about these are they are so cheap to make you could make a whole load in one go.
Liz
This is such a great idea! I really love it!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you!
Leanna
This is adorable and cost saving besides. Really simple cool idea.
I looked at the other Tobie post and your artwork is amazing. Your so casual about it and the skill level it takes. You are a natural artist.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you very much, you’re very kind.
Kate Hollingsworth
Oh these are so sweet! I might have to make a giant version of this for my boxer ?
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I bet he’s cute.
Kate Hollingsworth
P.S. I’m featuring your squeaky toys this Wednesday at To Grandma’s House We Go link party!
Claire Armstrong
That’s awesome, look forward to seeing it.
Julie
These are brilliant. We don’t have a dog in our house but I know plenty of people who do and many tell me their dogs like to get hold of soft things, I’m sure this idea could help save lots of slippers over the years! Thanks for sharing at #HandmadeMonday 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. Yes, some dogs really love soft toys, some rip them to shreds others just like to carry them around.
Sandra
Our grandpup would get a kick out of these and he wouldn’t be able to rip them to shreds. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great weekend.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. I have never heard the term grandpup before.
Mary - theboondocksblog
Such a clever idea Claire, and I bet yours is a lot sturdier than the ones you buy at the stores. Love the use of denim on them.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, yes they are quite robust.
Cristina
Such a great idea. I bet your dog loves it`s new toys.
Claire Armstrong
He’s not so fussed but his friends Lottie and Buster love them.
Helen at Pleasures of the NW
What a great idea! And I love your furry model – Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you!
Mary Denman
Oh my word! I’m taking some of these! Thanks for the link to the squeakers! My dog will be thrilled!!!!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, and have fun making them.
Cecilia
Claire, you are the queen of denim projects–each one cuter than the one before! Thanks for sharing your creativity @Vintage Charm!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, there are plenty more denim projects to come.
Caroline
I love this idea, will have to sort some old jeans of DH and make Shiloh some, thank you for the tutorial
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, you can make quite a few toys from one pair of jeans.
Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD
I have a pair of jeans waiting to be repurposed and two dogs who tear through their toys – I know what I’ll be sewing up next!!! 😀 #handmademonday
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I hope your dogs like them.
Susanne
Claire this is so cute!!! And they even have squeakers!!! Ever since meeting you I have started saving denim, my hubby knows not to throw away his worn out jeans 😉 and our dogs would would love this, especially with the squeaker and a treat hidden in a pocket! Thanks so much for sharing, I am pinning 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Susanne. I have a big pile of denim waiting for more upcycles so watch this space.
Susan
Oh wow – years ago I made my beloved Westie a “blue thing” which was a rolled up toy made up of fabric scraps from a denim dress that I had just made. He loved it so much, even though the seams were uneven. Love the idea of the treat pocket!
Claire Armstrong
Thanks, the treat pocket is fun. My grandparents had Westies when I was growing up one of them used to sing along with singers on the telly.
Naomi S.
What a great idea! I gotta get my sewing machine out of mothballs!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they can be made by hand but obviously it is quicker on a machine.
creativejewishmom/sara
Fabulous claire! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday as always!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Sara, I love visiting your party.
Sherry
Cute and fun. And great tutorial. I loved your model!
I loved all the pics you included! I hope you’ll come over and share your post at The Fabulous Spring/Easter party!
It’s over here:
http://ourholidayjourney.blogspot.com/2017/02/fabulous-welcome-spring-link-party.html
Happy Spring.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and thanks for the invite.
Anika
These are so cute!! Love them! Great way to reuse the fabric too!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Anika!
Frances Lineberry
These are super cute but please omit the squeakers. My daughter almost lost her dog due to the dog swallowing the squeakers from dog toys. When they did surgery she had several in her stomach, causing blockage. The vet said several dog owners had lost their dogs due to them swallowing the squeakers from toys.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you! Sorry to hear about your daughters dog, I didn’t realise squeakers were an issue as reputable companies such as Kong sell replacements.
Marnet Waters
I believe the Kong toys have hidden squeakers. I buy them for my American Bull dog. First thing she does is try to get a squeaker out of a toy so I buy the Kong toys. She can’t get them out.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I’ll have to look for Kong toys next time at the pet store.
Smiling Notes
This is such a cute idea!!! I would have totally made this if I had a dog :)xoxo
Claire Armstrong
Thank you! You could always make them as a gift for any dog loving friends you have.
Rebecca
What a super cute idea!!! Our lab puppy (she is 3 but still our puppy) loves squeaky toys and they are expensive. The denim fabric would make it very sturdy and the pocket idea for a treat is genius. Thanks for sharing – Halia (our pup) will thank you.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you! Halia looks absolutely adorable!
Linda Nelson
Oh my goodness, these are just too stinkin’ cute!
Claire Armstrong
Cheers and thank you!
Gentle Joy Homemaker
What a cute project…. and they should be quite durable also. 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and hopefully they will last a bit.
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled
Super fun idea, Claire! Our dog is too old these days to play with her toys but a great way to use up old fabrics. Visiting from Vintage Charm.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Victoria. Toby is a bit old for toys, I made them more for his friends.
Medina
Claire these are adorable … And your dugs are even cuter. I want to take them home with me!
Claire Armstrong
Thanks, both dogs aren’t mine. However, Buster does come to stay every now and again.
Carole at From My Carolina Home
Brilliant! I was just doing a post on dog beds out of denim jeans leftovers, and your post is just so much more clever!! May I link to you from my post when it publishes?
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, yes, of course, you can. Please send me the link of your post as I would love to see it. I could then link back to it too.
Rosette
merci pour le tuto, je vais le faire
Claire Armstrong
Merci, amusez-vous à les faire
Patti
These are adorable!!!
Claire Armstrong
The dog toys or the dogs or both? I think both are adorable of course.
Shiv Arora
This Is Awesome Way to Create Toy for Pet
Claire Armstrong
Thank you 😊
Karen Huber
Instructions,say sew with wrong sides together, I assume ypu mean right sides together since after you turn right side out?
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, well spotted I’ve corrected it now.
Has anyone made these what are the measurements? Just trying to figure out a good size for a boxer.
If you have made a dog bone what are the measurements you used and for what size of dog? I plan on making some for a boxer friend , a medium size dog. We don’t have a dog any more.
Claire Armstrong
You can make them any size you want. I have a medium sized dog a foxy Russell and I made the bones 25cm (10inches) in length. If you draw the template out onto a standard A4 piece of computer paper that should be the right size.