In order to make dog clothes from scratch, I need to have a basic dog pattern. Once there is a basic pattern to fit my pup’s chest and length, it is easy to make different things like a rain jacket, or even a tutu! Here is how to make dog clothes.
What is a dog pattern?
A dog pattern is developed so you can make clothes and costumes for your dog. With this step-by-step tutorial, you can learn how to take your dogs measurements and make a basic pattern that can be used for all kinds of dog clothes. Play around and have fun!
How to Make a Dog Pattern
From this one basic pattern you'll be able to make dog clothes from scratch. Add a tutu like I did, or a rain hoodie, or make it with fleece to keep your dog warm on a cold day. Rox will show you how!
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Materials
- Piece of fabric that is as long as your dog from neck to tail, and wide enough to fit around their torso
- Piece of pattern paper or tissue paper the same size
- Thread
- 2 pieces of 1-inch x 1-inch Velcro
Tools
- Tape measure
- Sewing machine
- Paper scissors
- Sewing scissors
Instructions
- Start by having your seamstress do some basic measurements. Here is how to measure from neck to tailbone. This will be the longest length for my clothes.
- Then, have your seamstress measure your neck -- not too tight, please!
- Then, measure around your waist - the widest point of your body.
- Using those three measurements, we'll make a pattern.
Start with the length of the garment, the neck to tail measurement. Mark it on a piece of pattern or tissue paper. This will be your center back of the pattern and put on the fold of the fabric when cutting out.
From this line, take half of the chest measurement and draw a perpendicular line. Use these two lines to draw a rectangle. This will be the fabric that wraps around the dog. At the center of the rectangle, add a 3" long by 2" wide strip at the 'waist' - the widest part of your dog. This is where you'll add the closure for the garment. I use Velcro because it is easy to get on and off.
Next, add a section to the top neck edge. Draw on about a 2" strip at the top of the pattern that is half of the neck measurement, plus 3", again to place Velcro to make it easy to get on and off.
Here is a finished basic dog pattern (the white tissue paper shown on pink fabric) to make your own dog clothes!
- Here is how it looks on me! My seamstress added a tutu to this one! If you use a spandex knit, you just cut and add velcro to the neck and waist belt and you are done! No need for hems or bindings, since Spandex knits don't ravel. Bonus tip - Spandex holds up well with wear!
- And, here you can see how well my new tutu fits!
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There are so many things you can do with this basic pattern:
- Taper the top side to cover the tail for a rain jacket
- Make a vest and put buttons on top for a formal look
- Add a bow tie for a special occasion! Or for the furry girl in your life add some inexpensive strings of beads around the neck edge.
- Make a ring bearer outfit by adding a pillow top on the back, with ribbons to tie on the rings (just make sure the dog doesn’t run off!)
How to make a simple dog coat?
Customize a dog pattern using the how-to tutorial above. Use a washable polyester fleece or quilted cotton to make the basic pattern for a simple dog coat. You won’t need much fabric, based on the length of your dogs back. You can make a coat for most dogs with less than a yard of fabric. For a teacup size dog, a fat quarter will be plenty of fabric!
Browse through all of our projects for pets on Create Whimsy. See the details on how to make a dog tutu.
