How to Sew a Dog Bed Cover

Dog beds come in all different sizes. Many of them come in a round shape, making it easy to sew a cover. Removing the cover and throwing it in the washing machine, once a week, will keep your house smelling clean and allow you to offer a fresh sleeping area to your dog. Choose a fabric that will be comfortable and durable. Fleece fabric is a good choice, as it is soft and it comes in a 60-inch width to accommodate larger dog beds.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric
• Thread
• Elastic
• Sewing machine
• Straight pins
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Pencil

1. Measure your current dog bed in width and length. Add 8 inches to each measurement. Measure the circumference of the dog bed, minus 4 inches for the elastic length. Figure how much fabric and elastic is required. Purchase fabric, thread and 1/2-inch elastic.

2. Wash and dry the fabric to allow for shrinkage before you begin the dog bed cover project.

3. Spread the fabric, wrong side out, onto your workspace or floor. Lay the current dog bed on top of it. With a pencil, draw around the dog bed, using it as a pattern. Add 4 inches all the way around, drawing a second line. Cut on the second line.

4. Press the fabric under 1/4 inch. This step is not necessary if you've chosen a non-raveling fabric, such as fleece. Press under another 3/4 inch and pin, all around, in place.

5. Sew around the dog bed cover, close to the inside fold, forming a tube. Leave a 3-inch opening.

6. Attach a large safety pin to one end of the elastic. Work the elastic into one end of the opening and around to the opposite end. Remove the safety pin. Layer the two ends of the elastic and sew across several times for strength. Push the elastic ends back to the inside of the opening.

7. Hand sew the opening shut. Slip the dog bed cover over the dog bed with the elastic side underneath.

References

• Dog Bed Covers
• Fleece Dog Bed Cover