How to Sew a Fleece Dog Bed Pattern

People like to have a cozy spot for naps and bedtime, and that includes the four-legged members of your family. While your family dog might want to spend the night in bed with you or the kids, you may have other plans. Give your pet her own personalized fleece dog bed, and she may never want to hop on the beds again. The fabric is soft enough for older arthritic dogs, and the cedar shavings mixed inside will help repel fleas and other pests that may come in with your pet.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Fleece fabric
  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • Sewing machine
  • Foam chips
  • Cedar shavings
  • Needle
  • Thread
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your dog when she is laying down. Measure from her nose to the tip of her tail when she is stretched out, and measure her at the thickest point when she is curled up. Add 3 inches in each direction for the size of fleece rectangle to cut out.

    • 2

      Cut out two pieces of fleece in the size you calculated from measuring your dog.

    • 3

      Place one piece of fleece on top of the other with the right sides, or more colorful sides, together. Not all fleece fabrics have a right and wrong side, so don't worry if you have a hard time telling them apart. Pin all four edges of the two fabric pieces together.

    • 4

      Sew the two pieces together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Begin stitching in the middle of one long edge. Sew to one corner, go along the other three edges and finish up 8 inches from where you first started. Back-stitch to secure the seam, leaving an 8 inch opening.

    • 5

      Turn the bed right-side out by pushing the fabric through the opening in the seam. Push your fingers into the corners to make sure they are sharp, with no bunched-up fabric stuck in them.

    • 6

      Pour foam rubber chips into the bed for stuffing. Mix in a small bag of cedar shavings, like that sold for small animal cages. Fill the bed until it looks like a fluffy pillow, but stop before it's a firm shape. You want it to be floppy.

    • 7

      Pin the gap closed and stitch it shut with a needle and matching thread.