Sewing Ideas for Dog Beds

Dog beds can be quite expensive, especially fashionable ones sold at trendy dog boutiques. Some owners with dogs that treat their beds like toys, scratching and clawing at them until they are dirty and destroyed, have to replace the expensive item often. Making your own dog bed can save you money and give you the opportunity to match the bed to your home decor.

  1. Dog Pillow

    • The classic pillow case design for a dog bed is simple to cut and sew. Measure a rectangle or square of fabric twice the size of your dog. Fold the fabric in half with the wrong side of the fabric showing so that you have one closed edge and three cut edges. Sew the bottom and open side using a sewing machine or hand stitching. Turn the case inside out so that the right side of the fabric is showing and stuff the pillow with the stuffing of your choice. There are several options for closing the pillow. You can close the pillow by sewing button closures, Velcro or snap buttons to make it easy to remove for washing.

    Folded Cover

    • Folding the fabric like a big envelope is an easy way to make a dog bed. With the fabric measured and the wrong side facing up, fold the bottom of the fabric about two-thirds of the way up and then fold the top down so that it slightly overlaps the first fold much like you would gift wrap a box. Sew together the two open sides and use the folded opening to stuff the cover. Turn it over and your dog bed is done.

    Round Bed

    • Cut two fabric circles or ovals large enough to fit your dog and place them together with the right side of the fabric touching. Sew all the way around the circle, leaving a hole big enough to fit your stuffing. Turn the cover inside out so that the right side of the fabric is showing and then stuff the bed. Close the stuffing hole by sewing it by hand. Round and oval beds can be placed in baskets to make a snug place for your dog to sleep.

    Stuffing

    • Just about any stuffing will work for a dog bed. You can use pillows, foam, blankets, old towels or sheets, bean bags, synthetic pillow filler, old cotton or wool clothes and just about anything else that is warm and soft. You can put all of the materials in an old pillow case or wrap them in a sheet to keep them together in the dog bed cover and make it easier to remove and wash the cover.