How to Measure a Tnr Trap, Make a Sewing Pattern and Sew Tnr Trap Cover

Discover how easy it is to measure your trap, make a pattern, sew trap cover so you can donate it to your local shelter or rescue.

Supplies

Fabric, scissors, marker, sewing machine, fabric pins, thread, large enough cardboard for the size of pattern needed , pencil, measuring tape.

Measuring Your Trap

You will need to measure the traps Length, width, height, and measurement of the right side and left side from handle to end of trap. Its best draw the shape of the box you are working with and then write all measurements on your drawing.

Creating Your Cardboard Pattern

On a piece of paper draw a flat diagram of your trap. You want to now add all your dimensions on it. For the horizontal measurement you want to add 3 inches this is is extra so you can compensate for the folding we need to do later. For the wide side you want to add 1 inch to your number. Once you write the numbers on the paper with the added inches for the fold you are ready to make your cardboard cut out.

Draw Out the Pattern on Paper or Cardboard and Cut It Out

Once you have your square dimensions for the cardboard now do the following:

Now imagine now you have a rectangle. You want to cut that rectangle in half horizontally.
Then you want to cut off the corners of 1 side of the rectangle.
Mark where the handles will go.

See photo of what half of a pattern looks like after cutting off the corners.

Trace Pattern Onto Fabric and Cut Fabric

To continue, now we make 2 fabric pieces of this cut out pattern and the 2 pieces will get sewn together later on so the handle can have a pre-made opening vs us cutting the fabric to make an opening for the handle. Do the following:

Place the cardboard on the fabric and trace it 2 times.
Cut the fabric out, you should have 2 cut out pieces.

Fold Fabric Edges You Can Use Fabric Glue to Secure It in Place or Pins on Both Pieces of Fabric

Fold fabric ½ an inch twice and pin or glue as you fold the edges. Fold only the short sides of fabric leave the long side unfolded.

Sew the Folded Fabric Folds in Place

Sew the short side on each piece of fabric while removing the pins.If you used glue you do not need to remove anything. As you sew,make sure to lock the start and the end of the stitches by going over it 3 times back and forth with the sewing machine.

Sew the 2 Fabrics Together on the Long Side of the Fabric and Mark Your Handel Position

Sew the 2 fabrics together on the long side but make sure you leave a gap for the handel. In our example we left a 9.5 inch gap. We marked the fabric so we knew where not to sew the fabric together. Make sure you do the end stitches and start stitches near the handel openings.

Fold the Edges of the Long Sewn Side and Sew It

After sewing the 2 fabrics together, fold in the edges of the sewn long side, pin it, then sew. Again remember to lock the start and end of the stitches and do not accidentally sew over handel openning.

YOU ARE DONE

Final step is go find a shelter or a rescue and donate your trap cover. Don't forget to email us and let us know you made a trap covers. We love seeing photos. You can email us at tnrcovers@gmail.com