Instructions
Choose a neoprene material for your dog's wetsuit vest. This material can be purchased at many fabric stores. Depending on the size of your dog, you will need anywhere from 1/2 yard to 1 full yard of fabric to create your vest.
Measure your dog around its neck. Leave 1 or or 2 inches of extra length for seam allowance and to let it fit loosely enough for your dog's comfort. Also measure your dog from the base of its neck down your dog's back to get your desired length of vest. Wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of your dog's body for chest measurements. Add at least 4 inches to this length to account for seams and a loose fit.
Create a pattern for your vest. Divide each of your measurements in half to create a template that you can position over a doubled-over piece of fabric. Remember to leave extra length for seam allowances and hem. Once you have created your template, cut it out and pin it together. Wrap it around your dog to check for fit.
Choose fasteners to secure your vest in place. If you have a zipper foot attachment on your sewing machine, a zipper might be an easy-to-sew option for you. Otherwise, you can use hook-and-loop fabric fasteners or hook and eye fasteners. Another option would be to sew buttons down the length of your best to hold the vest in place.
How to Make Plans for a Dog Wetsuit Vest
A wetsuit can be ideal for the dog that is an active companion in water sports. Buying protective wetsuit vests from retail dog supply stores can be expensive. On top of being expensive, they are not always an ideal fit for every dog. However, you can easily make a wetsuit vest custom fit for your dog with neoprene material and some basic sewing ability. Before you begin sewing, you will need to plan how to go about creating your look.