Tutorial on Sewing Dog Clothing

Fashionable, furry dogs are seen everywhere wearing dog clothes. Large dogs and small dogs show off dog clothes designed to keep them warm or look good. When the dog sports his attractive, new clothes to the dog park or around town, he'll receive lots of attention. Custom-designed pet clothing can be made at home.

  1. Find a Clothing Pattern

    • Purchase a pattern for dog clothing at an online store or a pet store or download a free pattern. Alternatively, use another article of pet clothes as the pattern for the new dog clothing.

    Write Down the Dog's Measurements

    • Measure around the dog's neck, where her collar is worn. Measure the width of her chest just behind the front legs, which is usually the widest part of the body. Measure her topline, which is the distance from the collar to the point where the tail begins. If a dog diaper will be sewn, also measure the middle of the back, where the top of the diaper will rest. Write the measurements down.

    Select a Fabric

    • Go to a fabric store to touch and learn more about the different types of fabric. Purchase the material for the clothes from an online site, local store or search your closet for old clothes to cut into usable fabric. Purchase cotton if the clothes must be easy to wash and machine dry. Buy fleece if warm clothes are a necessity. Purchase decorative, custom or printed fabric to design special occasion dog clothes. Read the pattern instructions and refer to the dog measurements in order to determine how much fabric to purchase.

    Cut the Pattern

    • Spread the paper pattern or the clothing template pattern on a flat work surface. Place the clothing material on top of the pattern face down. Attach the clothing material to the pattern using straight pins. Cut the material so that it is 1/2 inch larger than the pattern, to provide a seam allowance.

    Sew the Pieces Together

    • Pin the seams for adjoining pieces together inside out. Sew the pinned edges together, allowing for 1/2 inch on all seams. Fold the hems so they lay against the inside of the clothes and sew them flat.