How do you care for a toy whippet dog? Simple tips for a healthy companion.

My Little Whippet Project

So, I got this idea stuck in my head a while back. I really wanted a little whippet dog figure, you know? Something small to sit on the shelf. I looked around a bit, but nothing quite hit the spot. They were either too expensive, or just didn't have that whippet look I wanted. That skinny body, the pointy nose, the whole elegant vibe they have.

After searching with no luck, I figured, why not try making one? Sounded simple enough. I'm not exactly a master craftsman, mind you, but how hard could a small felt dog be?

Getting Down to It

First step was figuring out how. I sketched out a really basic shape. Just the side profile, really simple. Then I hunted through my craft box. Found some grey felt that felt about right, some black thread, needle, and a bag of stuffing from an old pillow.

• Cutting: I drew the shape onto the felt twice and cut it out. Easy peasy. The legs were thin, hoped that wouldn't be a problem later.
• Sewing: Okay, this part took way longer than I expected. I just used a basic running stitch around the edges, leaving a gap for stuffing. My stitches aren't exactly neat, pretty uneven if I'm honest. Felt a bit clumsy doing it.
• The Tricky Part: Turning it right side out was a real pain, especially those skinny legs and the tail! Had to use a pencil to poke it all through. Nearly ripped the felt once or twice.
• Stuffing: Once it was the right way out, I started stuffing it. Tried to keep it thin, like a real whippet, not like a chubby sausage dog. Pushed small bits of stuffing into the legs and tail first, then filled out the body.
• Finishing Up: Sewed up the gap. Then I used some black thread to make tiny knots for eyes. Didn't bother with a nose or mouth, wanted to keep it minimal.

The Finished Toy

Well, here it is! It definitely looks handmade, haha. The shape is a bit wobbly, the legs aren't perfectly even, and the sewing is… well, it's mine. But you know what? You can absolutely tell it's supposed to be a whippet. It's got the general shape, the grey color is nice, and it stands up on its own (mostly).

It's sitting on my bookshelf now, next to some books. It's not a masterpiece, far from it. But I made it myself, spent an afternoon fiddling with felt and thread instead of staring at a screen. There's something really satisfying about that. Used up some old materials too, which is always good. Every time I look at it, it kinda makes me chuckle. A quirky little reminder of a simple, hands-on task. Pretty pleased with the little fella, imperfections and all.