How to Make a Pet Sweatshirt

Jersey fabric and knitted materials are perfect for pets' apparel because they allow for movement and can be easily cleaned, according to Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader's book, "You Lucky Dog: More Than 30 Craft Projects to Unleash Your Pup's Personality." A sweatshirt can help keep a dog warm and be stylish at the same time. Measuring the pet can help ensure the shirt will fit while various sewing techniques can give the garment a store-bought appearance.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • 2 yards jersey fabric
  • Pet sweatshirt pattern
  • Pins
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the pet around the base of its neck and around its chest, just behind the front legs. Determine the pet's length by measuring its back from the neck to the beginning of the tail. Use these measurements to help select the appropriate sweatshirt pattern size.

    • 2

      Lay the jersey fabric on a flat surface and arrange the pattern pieces for the top, bottom and arms of the sweatshirt. Pin the pattern pieces to the fabric and cut along them with a pair of sharp scissors. Fold the remaining fabric in half, widthwise, and place the hood's top edge along this fold. Pin the pattern before cutting along it.

    • 3

      Sew along the hood's fold, a quarter of an inch from the edge. Fold the bottom edge of the top and bottom pattern pieces a quarter of an inch and pin it down to keep the hemline in place. Sew along the top edge to help create a finished edge. Repeat this process with the bottom edge of the sleeves, folding and pinning it a quarter of an inch from the edge, before stitching the seam. All the hems should be finished before assembling the sweatshirt.

    • 4

      Pin the top and bottom of the sweatshirt at the shoulder seams. Sew them together to secure the shoulders, before pinning the top edge of the sleeves, also known as the sleeve's cap, to the armholes. Then, stitch the sleeves in place

    • 5

      Secure the bottom edge of the hood to the sweatshirt's neckline with pins. Start by placing the hood's bottom edge at the center front of the neckline and pin it all the way around the sweatshirt's neck opening. Make sure all layers are pinned -- as the hood's fabric is doubled -- before sewing it in place.

    • 6

      Finish the sweatshirt by pinning the side seams together. Once these seams are sewn, the garment is complete.