How to Make a Fleece Coat for a Dog

Dogs can benefit from the warmth of a sweater just as much as humans can. Even if your dog has a long coat, the chill of a lengthy walk can still be too much to handle in the dead of winter. Fleece is the ideal fabric to create a canine jacket, as it is durable, machine-washable and does not unravel. Even individuals with little or no sewing knowledge can create a custom pattern and fleece coat for their dog in as little as a few hours.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • Measuring tape
  • Newsprint
  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • Hook and eye tape
  • Sewing machine
  • Fabric glue (optional)
  • Rotary cutter (optional)
  • Embellishments (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure from your dog's collar to the base of her tail. Measure the circumference of her body just behind her front legs. Measure the width of the front of your dog's chest. Write down these measurements for reference later.

    • 2

      Lay out a sheet of newsprint. Draw a straight line equal to the measurement of your dog's length from collar to tail.

    • 3

      Draw a perpendicular line on the newsprint, equal to half of the circumference of your dog at the point behind his front legs. Add a third line at the other end of the longest line identical to this. Another line should be drawn identical to the first, closing off the figure you are drawing on the newsprint to create a rectangle.

    • 4

      Draw two more rectangles, both approximately 2 inches wide. One rectangle should be equal to the width of your dog's chest, the other equal to half the circumference of your dog when measured just behind her front legs.

    • 5

      Cut all three rectangles out of the newsprint.

    • 6

      Position a piece of polar fleece fabric on a flat surface. Smooth out any wrinkles so that the fabric lays flat.

    • 7

      Pin the largest rectangle onto your polar fleece. Cut around the shape using a rotary cutter or scissors.

    • 8

      Fold the remainder of your polar fleece in half, straightening out any wrinkles.

    • 9

      Pin the other two rectangles to the fabric, aligned any place but the fold. Catch two layers of the polar fleece with the pins.

    • 10

      Cut out the two rectangle shapes pinned to the fabric. Cut through both layers of the polar fleece, effectively cutting two identical pieces of each rectangle.

    • 11

      Remove the pins and newsprint from the largest rectangle. Position the rectangle on your dog to examine the fit. Trim any excess fabric and round the edges of the rectangle if desired.

    • 12

      Mark off several spots on the larger rectangle as they correspond to your dog's body, using pins. Mark off the spots on either side of the rectangle just behind your dog's front legs. Also mark the spots on the top of the rectangle where her chest meets her back.

    • 13

      Remove the newsprint and pins from the smaller rectangle shapes. Sew or use fabric glue to attach strips of hook and eye tape to one side of each rectangle.

    • 14

      Pin the 2-inch rectangles that are equal to half of your dog's circumference to the spots you marked that correspond to the space behind his front legs.

    • 15

      Pin the other rectangles at the spots where your dog's chest meets his shoulders. Make sure that the hook and eye tape matches up and can be fastened when the 2-inch-wide rectangles are pinned to the larger rectangle.

    • 16

      Sew the smaller rectangles to the larger rectangle. Go over each seam several times to ensure that the sewing is secure. Fasten the coat onto your dog and make any necessary adjustments. Add embellishments if desired.