Pet Apparel Sewing Patterns

Pet apparel can be expensive, but you can give your furry friend a unique look by sewing him or her a coat. With the right printable sewing pattern, some cute fabric, and a little time, your pet can have a whole new ensemble for his next visit to the park.

Free Dog or Cat Coat Patterns

Dog and cat coats are fun and easy sewing projects, and they're perfect for beginners. You can make your pet coat out of almost any fabric, but wool, cotton, and polar fleece are all easy to work with. The right pattern for you will depend on your pet's size.

If you need help downloading the patterns, check out these helpful tips.

Measuring Your Pet

You'll need to measure your pet so you can choose the appropriate pattern size. Here's how to do it:

1. Measure the pet from the base of the neck to the base of the tail for the general length of the pet. Make sure your dog or cat is standing up, rather than sitting or lying down.
2. Measure the circumference of your pet's neck. The tape measure should be comfortably loose.
3. Measure the girth of your pet's chest. You should do this while your pet is standing.
4. Compare your pet's measurements to the chart below.

Things You'll Need

• One yard of fabric for the outside of the coat
• One yard of lining fabric
• Two hook-and-loop closures
• Sewing machine and matching thread
• Scissors and pins
• Iron

What to Do

1. Print out the appropriate size of pet coat pattern and enlarge it according to the instructions.
2. Cut one coat body piece and one tab out of the outer fabric. Cut one coat body piece and one tab out of the lining fabric. Cut a tab piece out of each fabric.
3. Placing the right sides together and matching up the notches, pin around the outside of both coat body pieces.
4. Sew around the outside edge of the coat body, leaving a small area open for turning the coat at the neck. Use a quarter-inch seam allowance.
5. Turn the coat right side out, and press it with the iron. As you work, fold in the open neck area and pin to close. Set aside.
6. Place the right sides of the lining and outer fabric tab pieces together and pin. Sew around the curved portion, leaving the flat side open for turning.
7. Turn the tab right side out and press.
8. Insert the tab into the open neck area and secure with pins. Sew the tab in place and then continue sewing to close the neck turning area and to top-stitch the rest of the coat.
9. Sew a hook-and-loop closure on the neck tab and the corresponding area on the coat body.
10. Try the coat on your pet and mark the area where the waist tab wraps up. Sew a hook-and-loop closure on the waist tab and the coat body.

Ferret Coat Pattern

You can give your ferret a whole new look with an adorable coat. Choose an easy-care fabric with a fun color scheme or print. This is an easy project that's perfect for beginning and intermediate seamstresses. It fits most ferrets.

Things You'll Need

• Half a yard of outer fabric
• Half a yard of lining fabric
• Two hook-and-loop closures
• Sewing machine and thread
• Scissors and pins
• Iron

What to Do

1. Print out the pattern and enlarge as directed.
2. Cut a coat body piece out of the lining fabric and a coat body piece out of the outer fabric. Cut one tab piece out of each fabric.
3. Stack the coat body pieces with the right sides together, ensuring the notches match up. Pin the pieces in place.
4. Starting at the front of the neck, sew all the way around the coat body piece using a quarter-inch seam allowance. Leave a turning area open at the neck.
5. Turn the coat right side out and turn in the raw edges at the neck. Pin the edges in place and press the coat body with the iron. Set aside.
6. Place the right sides of the tab pieces together and sew around the curved side. Leave the straight side open. Turn the tab right side out through the straight side and press with the iron.
7. Insert the raw edge of the tab into the open area at the neck of the coat body. Pin in place.
8. Sew the tab in place and close up the open area at the neck. Continue sewing to top-stitch the entire coat.
9. Attach a hook-and-loop closure to the neck tab and the corresponding spot on the coat body.
10. Try the coat on your ferret and mark the spot where the waist tab meets the coat body. Sew a hook-and-loop closure on the waist tab and the appropriate spot on the coat body.

Cat Tie Pattern

Although many cats are reluctant to wear coats and other apparel, a simple shirt collar and tie can increase your feline's formality level without being constraining. This pattern requires a little sewing experience, but you don't have to be an expert. It will fit cats with a neck circumference of up to 10 inches.

Things You'll Need

• Scrap of white fabric for shirt collar
• Scrap of plaid or patterned fabric for tie
• Small piece of fusible interfacing
• Hook-and-loop closure
• Sewing machine and matching thread
• Scissors and pins
• Iron

What to Do

1. Print out the pattern and cut out the pieces as directed. You'll need two pieces of each.
2. Apply fusible interfacing to the collar points of one of the pieces, trimming the interfacing so it does not extend beyond the quarter-inch seam allowance.
3. Stack the two collar pieces with their right sides together, lining up the notches. Use pins to hold them in place.
4. Starting on the inside edge of one of the collar points, sew all the way around the collar using a quarter-inch seam allowance. Leave a space open between the collar points for turning.
5. Turn the collar right side out, and iron it. Fold the collar points down as you press to make it look like a shirt. Set it aside.
6. Placing the right sides together, sew all the way around the two tie pieces. Leave the flat end open for turning.
7. Turn the tie right side out and press. Tie it in a knot, leaving half an inch of the flat end for inserting in the collar.
8. Insert the tie into the open area between the collar points, ensuring the flat part of the knot is facing out.
9. Sew the tie in place, closing the open area between the collar points.
10. Sew a hook-and-loop closure on the ends of the collar.

More Free Pet Clothes Patterns

You can find more pet apparel patterns online:

• The Spruce - Here, you'll find a free pattern and instructions to make a small, water-proof dog coat. The shell is made of nylon, and the inside is lined with fleece to make it extra warm and comfy.
• Domestik Goddess Blog - This home and garden blog offers a dog's winter boots sewing pattern with photos. The pattern can be adjusted for cats.
• HGTV.com - This article features a dog dress pattern with detailed instructions and photos. The pattern can also work for cats.
• Martha Stewart - Try a free pattern for making an adorable quilted dog coat that would also work for cats. This coat is fully lined and water-resistant, and it makes a great project for the experienced seamstress. There's also a helpful video tutorial.

Express Your Pet's Style

Making your own pet apparel saves money, and it's also a great way to express your pet's personal style. Because you aren't limited by the selection at the pet store or boutique, you can choose any fabric or combination of materials to give your pet a unique, head-turning look.