Do It Yourself Dog Jacket

In the coldest months of the year, even dogs with the thickest coats may get chilly. A dog jacket is the perfect solution for long walks outside in the snow or a quiet evening inside on a frigid evening. Simple to construct, they require little in the way of knowledge or materials. Within an hour or two, your dog will have her very own jacket, custom tailored to meet her own unique shape, size, style and comfort needs.

  1. Measurements and Patterns

    • Begin with an accurate measurement of your dog. Have your dog sit and, if necessary, have a friend hold him in a sitting position. Measure around the base of his neck and around the widest part of his belly. This is usually around the ribcage approximately 1 inch behind the front legs. An accurate measurement from the base of your dog's neck to the base of his tail is also recommended, as this will tell you the length of your dog's jacket.

      You may sketch your own pattern, plugging in measurements where they are appropriate. An image has been provided as an example. The basic shape is an oblong oval with two appendages on each side. A more square shape is also acceptable. Commercial patterns are available as well, although they may take a bit more tinkering to customize to your dog's size.

    Choosing a Fabric

    • You will want to choose a warm fabric for your dog jacket. Polarfleece and old sweatshirt material are good choices for beginning sewers, as they will not unravel if the edges are not hemmed. Choose flannel for a lightweight jacket. Both Polarfleece and flannel come in a variety of colors and patterns, so it is relatively easy to tailor the style of your dog's jacket to your preferences. For long outdoor treks, you may choose to line your jacket with a waterproof fabric such as nylon; however, lining the jacket requires a bit more sewing expertise.

      The amount of fabric you will need depends upon the size of your dog. A small dog, such as a Chihuahua or a pug, will only use about 1/4 to 1/2 of a yard of fabric. A medium-sized dog, such as an American Staffordshire terrier or a whippet, may require 1/2 to 1 yard of fabric. Large dogs may require the use of 1.5 or more yards of fabric.

      If you cannot determine how much fabric you may need for a dog jacket, bring your pattern with you to the fabric store. You can measure the pattern against the fabric or ask someone at the fabric cutting counter for assistance.

    Sewing the Jacket

    • If you are using a fabric that does not unravel, you may simply cut out your fabric and sew the appropriate fasteners to it. A cutting diagram has been provided for the example pattern.

      Appropriate fasteners may include snaps, buttons or hook and loop tape. Hook and loop tape is generally the safest, as it cannot be gnawed off and swallowed by the dog.

      If you have chosen a fabric that will easily unravel, hem around the edges of your cut out garment. A 1/4-inch seam is usually all that is needed. If this is the case, allow an extra 1/4 inch when cutting out your fabric, otherwise your dog's jacket may be too small.

      To add a lining, cut two pattern pieces. Place the pieces with the right sides, or the sides with a pattern, facing together. The garment is now inside out. Sew all the way around the edges, leaving a 1-inch gap somewhere along the way. Pull the garment right-side out through this 1-inch gap, and carefully stitch shut. Apply any fasteners to the appendages only after turning your garment right-side out.