How to Make a Dog Vest

A dog wearing a designer vest made of denim and suede.

Dogs of all sizes can become cold in the autumn or winter. Most of a dog's body heat is held in the core of his body. A protective garment, such as a vest, can help trap in some of that heat to keep Fido warm on chilly days. Vests are simple to make, requiring a minimal amount of sewing expertise and a small amount of fabric to execute.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Paper
• Pencil
• Polarfleece fabric (variable amount)
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing needle or machine
• Thread
• Sew on hook-and-loop fastener (such as Velcro)

Instructions

1. Measure your dog using measuring tape. Measure around the base of his neck and around the widest part of his body. Also measure from the base of his collar to the base of his tail. Write down the measurements.

2. 

   Using your measurements, sketch out a pattern such as the one shown in the image. You will essentially have a wide oblong shape with two protrusions on each side of it.

   The red lines on the image indicate what measurements you will need. The first protrusion will cover the base of your dog's neck. The second will go around his widest part. The third measurement is the length of your pattern, from the base of your dog's neck to the base of his tail.

3. Cut out your pattern using scissors. Fold the Polarfleece fabric in half. Place the pattern on the fold. Pin the pattern in place so that it does not move. Use the scissors to cut through both layers of the fabric. Do not cut the fold, merely leave it as is.

4. Unpin your pattern from your fabric. If your dog is willing, try modeling the vest on him. Make any adjustments needed by cutting away excess fabric.

5. 

   Cut four strips of hook-and-eye loop fastener tape. Each strip should be approximately 2 inches long.

6. Use a needle and thread or sewing machine to sew the hook-and-loop fastener tape to the Polarfleece. One strip should go on the end of each appendage.

7. Since Polarfleece does not unravel, you do not need to sew any hems or seams. Try your vest on your dog and make any necessary adjustments. You have completed your dog vest.

Tips & Warnings

• Hook and loop fastener tape has two sides: a sticky side and a fuzzy side. When sewing pieces of it to your vest, make sure each respective set of appendages has one sticky side and one fuzzy side. The amount of fabric you need will depend on the size of your dog. Small dogs may require a quarter yard. Medium dogs might take up half a yard to a full yard, and large dogs can take up to a yard and a half or more of fabric. If you are in doubt, take your measurements and pattern with you to the fabric store.

• Be careful when working with items such as sewing needles or pins. They are sharp and may cause injury.

References

• Circle of Crafters: Resizable Dog Clothing Pattern
• Martha Stewart Pets: Doggy Coats
• Barlow Scientific: Fleece Dog Sweater, Technical Notes