Dog sewing patterns

Collar bandana

The Collar Bandana is a bandana with a channel that your dog's collar runs through. It is a beginner pattern of about 30 minutes, with a reversible look when the outer and lining differ. Sizes go by neck: XS (7 to 9 in), S (9 to 12 in), M (12 to 16 in), L (16 to 20 in) and XL (20 to 24 in), plus a cat size for a neck of 8 to 10 in. One fat quarter or ½ yd each of outer and lining is enough. Choose quilting cotton, lawn, chambray, linen-look cotton or flannel, and skip stretch knits and slippery satins, because the channel should keep its shape. No elastic, snaps or hardware are needed. For a step-by-step walk-through, read how to sew a dog bandana.

Fabric dog collar

The Fabric Dog Collar covers nylon or polypropylene webbing with quilting cotton, and takes about 45 minutes at beginner level. The webbing gets wider as the size goes up: XS (neck 8½ to 12 in) uses ⅝ in webbing, S (10 to 14 in) uses ¾ in, M (13 to 18 in) and L (16 to 22 in) use 1 in, and XL (18 to 26 in) uses 1½ in. Stay with quilting cotton for the covering strip: canvas or double layers get too thick for the buckle slots. The materials list also covers a bow and a matching leash.

Dog sweater

The Dog Sweater is a beginner pattern of about an hour with nine sizes, from 3XS (back 6 in, chest 12 in) to 3XL (back 22 in, chest 34 in). Use sweater knit, polar fleece or French terry for the outer, a soft knit or the same fabric for the lining, and 2x2 or 1x1 rib knit for the neckband and cuffs. A ballpoint or stretch needle and a walking foot help with the knit layers, and the sweater has a leash hole.

The Dog Cap comes in four sizes, XS to L, and takes about an hour. It has ear openings, a brim and a chin strap, and one fat quarter each of outer and lining makes any size. The Dog Treat Pouch is one size, about 30 minutes: a 5 by 6 in pouch with a ¾ in boxed base and a belt loop that fits a belt up to 1½ in wide. A wipe-clean lining of laminated cotton, PUL or ripstop nylon keeps crumbs out of the seams, and one fat quarter of outer and one of lining make two pouches.

Safety first

Treat the bandana, collar and cap as decoration. Take fabric accessories off when your dog is not supervised, and read the American Kennel Club's page on collar dangers before you choose what your dog wears every day.

All five side by side

Photos are renders of the finished items. Measure your dog's neck, chest and back before you cut, and go up a size if your dog is between two.