How to Sew a Pet Walking Vest for a Rabbit

Pet owners taking their dogs for a walk is a common sight but less common is the sight of a pet rabbit being taken out in a walking vest. Walking vests are designed to function like a harness and may be attached to a leash or lead to restrain your rabbit while it enjoys some time outdoors. Rabbit harnesses may be purchased online and at pet stores, but it may be more cost effective to sew your own rabbit walking vest.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • 1 yard cotton fabric
  • Iron
  • Adhesive hook and eye tape
  • Leash or lead
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set your rabbit on a table or another flat surface. Use a measuring tape to take the measurement around its neck and around its body about halfway down the spine. Add 2 inches to each measurement and record them on a sheet of paper.

    • 2

      Purchase one yard of soft cotton fabric in your choice of color or pattern. The fabric itself should be pliable but not stretchy. Lay the fabric out flat on a table or cutting mat with the wrong side up. Iron the wrinkles out of the fabric if necessary.

    • 3

      Cut two 3-inch-wide strips of fabric. The length of one strip should match the measurement of your rabbit's neck. The length of the second strip should match the measurement of your rabbit's body girth. Set the two strips to the side.

    • 4

      Measure your rabbit to find the right length for the walking vest. Hold the end of the measuring tape at the base of the rabbit's neck and measure halfway down its spine to the point where you measured its girth.

    • 5

      Cut a rectangular piece of fabric 8 inches wide and use the measurement you just took to determine the length. Divide the length measurement in half and draw a horizontal line across the wrong side of the fabric rectangle to divide it in half.

    • 6

      Make a pencil marking 2 inches toward the center from the left and right sides, aligning the marks with the horizontal line. Draw an arc from the top corner to the bottom corner on the left and right sides, aligning the top of the arc with the pencil markings you just made.

    • 7

      Cut out the arc shapes and hem the curved sides of the fabric using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. This will be the body of the walking vest. Hem all four sides of both 3-inch fabric strips using the same seam allowance. These two strips will become the neck and belly straps for your vest.

    • 8

      Pin the 3-inch fabric strips to the body of the walking vest, centering them with the right sides of the fabric together. Sew across the pinned seams using a 1/2-inch seam allowance then iron the seams flat.

    • 9

      Cut two 2-inch strips of adhesive hook and eye tape to the neck and belly straps. Separate the two halves of the tape and adhere one half to the patterned side of the fabric on the right edge of the neck and belly straps. Adhere the other half of the tape to the wrong side of the fabric along the left edge of the strap.

    • 10

      Cut a 3-by-1-inch strip of fabric and fold it in half with the wrong sides together. Center the ends of the folded strip on the back of the walking vest and sew across the ends several times to adhere it. When finished, you should have a fabric loop attached to the center back of the walking vest.

    • 11

      Put the vest on your rabbit by laying it flat on the rabbit's back and gently wrapping the neck and belly straps around your rabbit. Secure the vest in place with the hook and eye tape and attach your leash or lead to the fabric loop.