Is this safe to give guinea-pigs?

[Alicia]

I've started making guinea-pig sleeping bags and I am quite proud of them because I feel they turned out OK. I thought after a bit of practice I might try and sell them, it just gives me something to do because I love making them but I have 6 guinea-pigs and I can't just keep making loads because I'd run out of guinea-pigs to give them to. My mum has said that she doesn't really think they are good enough to sell Anyway I was talking to my friend about them and I remembered her sister had 2 adult guinea-pigs and its her birthday in a few weeks so I thought I'd give her sister 2 sleeping bags for her guinea-pigs for her birthday, and also my Auntie has 2 baby guinea-pigs (about 10 weeks old now) and I thought I'd give her 2 if she wanted some. The only thing I'm now worried about is whether they are safe for guinea-pigs. I sewed them by hand because I don't have a sewing machine and I just don't know if they are good enough or safe enough for other guinea-pigs. I just couldn't forgive myself if their guinea-pigs got ill or died or anything from chewing on the thread or anything so please can you give me your honest opinion, do you feel these would be safe for guinea-pigs? I've included photos of a big one I've made for my guinea-pig, but I make them all the same way. The sleeping bag has been sewn together then turned inside out so the thread is not visible, but you can see it if you stretch it a bit:

And the whole thing:

Inside:

Also, I was going to sew a pipe cleaner into the fold round the opening bit to keep it open, is this a good idea or do you think the guinea-pigs would get at it and chew it or something?

 

[flips]

I think you're stitches are ok as long as you check the bags regularly for sign of wear and tear. I hand sew mine as well and they get better with practice. What kind of stitch do you use? I find a back stitch works well.

 

[CiaraPatricia]

Yeah I think they'd be fine for your friends' and familys' pigs as long as the guinea pigs don't start chewing them. I don't think guinea pigs are usually bad chewers, like rabbits and hamsters and all.

 

[fritsthegirl]

I think it is fine. I always check for loose threads and such when I put cosies in the cage, even machine stitched cosies can come loose after a few washes. As Flips said, for a strong stitch back stitch is good, as is doubling the thread. If you make small hand sewn stitches and finish and tie the ends well, the strength of hand sewn is as good (if not better) as a machine stitch. It is after all how all our clothes were sewn in days gone by. And practice makes perfect.