Things You'll Need
- Fabric Scissors Sewing machine (or needle and thread) Zipper Tape measure Straight pins
Instructions
Begin by measuring your existing dog bed. For a rectangular or square dog bed, measure the length, width and height. For circular dog beds, measure the diameter, height and circumference.
Determine the necessary dimensions of the two fabric panels that will form the dog bed cover. Take the height of the dog bed and divide this number in half. Then, add this number to the length and width (for a square or rectangle bed) or diameter (for a circular bed). Then, add 1 inch to each figure (allowing for seams) to get your dimensions for the two identical panels that will form the cover.
Using the measurements determined in Step 2, visit the fabric store to purchase sufficient yardage of the desired fabric. For a dog bed that matches your curtains or bedroom set, use the fabric from a set of sheets or a set of curtains. You will also need a zipper. For a square or rectangular dog bed, get a zipper that's the length of one side of the bed. For a circular dog bed, get a length of zipper that's approximately one-third of the circle's circumference.
Using the measurements determined in Step 2, cut two identical pieces of fabric that are the same shape as your dog bed (circular, rectangular or square). To get the cuts precise, use a pattern. Make one by using your measurements to draw the desired shape onto a piece of paper. Cut off the excess paper, leaving only the pattern. Then pin the pattern to the fabric and cut around it as a guide.
Pin the two fabric panels together. The sides of the fabric that will be the exterior of the dog bed cover must be placed face to face.
For a rectangular or square dog bed cover, sew three of the four sides. For a circular dog bed, sew two-thirds of the way around the circumference of the fabric circle; the unsewn section must be long enough to accommodate the zipper. The row of stitching should be about 1/3 of an inch in from the edge of the fabric.
Sew the zipper in place. On a square or rectangular dog bed cover, the zipper will take up one of the four sides; it's the side that was left unstitched in Step 6. On a circular dog bed cover, you'll insert the zipper on the section that was left unstitched in Step 6.
Turn the cover right-side out and place the dog bed inside. Close the zipper, and the new dog bed cover is complete!
For a square dog bed that's 10 inches wide, 10 inches long and 2 inches thick, you will need two 12-by-12-inch pieces of fabric (half of the thickness, which is 1 inch, plus 10 inches for both the width and height, plus 1 inch to allow for seams).
For a circular dog bed that's 10 inches in diameter and 2 inches thick, you'll want two circular pieces of fabric that measure 12 inches in diameter (half of the thickness, which is 1 inch, plus 10 inches for the diameter, plus 1 inch to allow for seams).