How to Sew Dog Booties

Cold winter temperatures, along with salt on sidewalks, can take its toll on your dog's feet. Be kind to your dog by sewing a set of dog booties for it. Polar fleece is an ideal material to use for dog booties, as it doesn't fray, keeps paws warm and dries quickly. You can measure your dog for a custom-fit and sew up several sets in an afternoon so that your dog will be ready to brave the elements in comfort and style.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Paper
  • Marking pen
  • Scissors
  • 1/4 yard polar fleece
  • 12-inch by 12-inch vinyl or other non-skid fabric scrap
  • Hook-and-loop tape
  • Elastic
  • Pins
  • Needle
  • Matching thread
  • Sewing machine (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your dog's paw around the widest part of the pad with the measuring tape. Add 1 inch to this measurement. Measure your dog's leg around the narrowest part above the paw. This measurement will be used to determine the length of the elastic for the closure.

    • 2

      Measure your dog's leg from the desired height of the bootie, down over the toes and up the back of the leg to the desired height. Also measure the distance from the toes up to the narrowest part of the leg, as measured in Step 1. This is where the hook-and-loop closure will go.

    • 3

      Draw a pattern on paper using the measurements from Steps 1 and 2. The pattern will be a rectangle. Mark the toe portion of the pattern. Using the measurement from Step 2, measure from the toe markup and make a mark at the point where the elastic and hook-and-loop tape closure will go. On the foot portion of the pattern, draw a circle to within 3/4 inch of the edge of the toe and sides of the pattern for the non-skid sole of the bootie. Cut the circle from the paper pattern, or cut a separate circle pattern piece.

    • 4

      Fold the polar fleece in half and place the pattern with the marked toe portion on the fold. With scissors, follow the pattern and cut four pieces of fleece. Do not cut through the folded toe portion of the fleece. Transfer the marks from the paper pattern to the fleece pieces. Place the circle pattern on the non-skid vinyl material and cut four pieces of vinyl.

    • 5

      Pin one vinyl circle to the right side of each bootie above the toe mark, using the circle on the pattern as a placement guide. Hand- or machine-stitch the circle in place. This is now the sole of the bootie.

    • 6

      Cut a 1-inch-long piece of hook-and-loop tape. Use the measurement from Step 1 of the narrowest part of the dog's leg and cut one piece of elastic 1 inch longer than that measurement for each bootie.

    • 7

      Pin the loop side of the tape loop side up to the sole portion of the bootie at the mark made previously for the closure placement. Pin 1/2 inch of the elastic under one end of the tape and sew around the tape, securing the elastic at the same time. Sew 1/2 inch of the hook portion of the tape to the other end of the elastic, making sure to sew the tape with the hooks facing the proper direction to mesh with the loop portion.

    • 8

      Pin the bootie right sides together and hand- or machine-stitch along both sides, being careful not to catch the elastic in the seams. Turn the bootie right side out.