How to Sew a Vest for a Small Dog for Beginners
If you can sew a reasonably straight line, you can make a simple vest for your small pet dog. Choose a soft cotton or poly-cotton blend fabric with very little stretch to it, as stretchy fabrics can be more difficult to work with. Embellishments can be added as desired and as your skill level permits. Remember to consider your dog's training and disposition and choose things that he won't chew off.
Things You'll Need
- 1/2 yard fabric
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Sewing machine or needle & thread
- Buttons
Instructions
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1
Measure your dog from the back of the neck to just before the hind legs.
This is how long the vest will be. Then measure from one side of his belly across the back to the other side of his belly to determine the width.
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2
Cut a rectangle of fabric using the length and width of your measurements.
This will be the back of the vest.
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3
Cut two rectangles from the fabric that are 2 to 3 inches wide and as long as the large rectangle, to form the vest fronts.
If desired, taper the top half of the rectangles to look like a suit vest by cutting the corners off.
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4
Sew the top of one of the vest front pieces to the top of the back piece, aligning them at the corner.
Ensure the right sides of the fabric are facing each other. Repeat this process for the other vest front piece at the opposite corner.
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5
With the right sides still together, line up the long edges of the front and back pieces.
Starting at the corner that is not already sewn together, create a seam from the bottom edge to about 4 inches from the top. Repeat on the other side.
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6
Sew a 1/4 inch hem around the armholes of the vest, the neck and front opening, and the bottom edge.
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7
Turn the vest right side out.
If desired, add buttons to one front side. Create corresponding button holes by cutting small slits on the opposite side and hand sewing around the edges.
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