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18 DIY Dog Clothes & Patterns You Can Make Today (With Pictures)

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

two miniature pinschers wearing clothes

The dog clothing industry is one of the biggest pet product industries around, with endless amounts of doggy coats, sweaters, and other clothing to choose from. While they may look adorable, most dog clothing is overpriced and rarely worth spending the money on. Instead of buying dog clothes, there are many different ways to make clothes for your dog.

Here are 18 DIY plans that teach you how to make dog clothes at home.

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The Top 18 DIY Dog Clothes Plans

1. No-Sew 5 Min. Dog Sweater – The Thrifty Couple

No-Sew 5 Min. Dog Sweater - The Thrifty Couple
Image Credit: The Thrifty Couple

Materials:
  • Old sweater or sweatpants
  • Fabric measuring tape
  • Scissors

Project Details:
  • Time: 5–10 minutes
  • Skill level: Easy

This no-sew dog sweater is a quick and easy DIY dog sweater that uses your old and tattered sweater or sweatpants. You’ll only need some fabric measuring tape, scissors, and around 5 to 10 minutes to give your dog some warm new clothes. The skill level is easy, with no sewing or stitching involved.


2. No-Sew Dog Bandana – Pretty Fluffy

No-Sew Dog Bandana – Pretty Fluffy
Image: Pretty Fluffy

Materials:
  • 14 x 14-inch scrap of fabric
  • Scissors
  • Hemming tape
  • Iron
  • Dog collar

Project Details:
  • Time: 5–10 minutes
  • Skill level: Easy

With a clothing iron and some hemming tape, this no-sew bandana collar cover is the perfect last-minute dog accessory. It only requires a few items around the house and a basic clothing iron, with no sewing or stitching needed. The best part is that it’s quick and easy to make.


3. Easy Dog Sweater with Sleeves – Mimi & Tara

Easy Dog Sweater with Sleeves - Mimi & Tara
Image Credit: Mimi & Tara

Materials:
  • Old sweater or cotton fabric
  • Sewing needle
  • Thread
  • Scissors
  • Measuring tape

Project Details:
  • Time: About 1 Hour
  • Skill level: Easy

This adorable Dog Sweater Pattern with sleeves is easy to make and sew, with cutouts and images to make the pattern easy to follow. It only requires a little sewing, so you don’t have to be an expert. It’s the perfect pattern to use with hooded sweaters, too.


4. Cozy Custom Dog Coat – Wholefully

Cozy Custom Dog Coat – Wholefully
Image Credit: Wholefully

Materials:
  • Fleece
  • Sherpa wool
  • Sewing needle or sewing machine
  • Thread
  • Scissors
  • Measuring tape
  • Pattern paper
  • Ruler
  • Sew-on hook and loop fastener
  • Straight pins

Project Details:
  • Time: 1 hour
  • Skill Level: Easy–Intermediate

If you’re new to the sewing world and want an easy project to start with, the Cozy Custom Dog Coat is a great pattern to try. While there are a lot of materials, the actual project itself is easy to do and doesn’t require a sewing machine. This pattern is also a great starting point for more advanced projects.


5. Dog Coat from Recycled Winter Jacket – Makezine

Dog Coat from Recycled Winter Jacket – Makezine
Image Credit: Makezine

Materials:
  • Old fleece-lined jacket or windbreaker
  • Sewing machine
  • Iron-on Velcro strip
  • Sewing scissors
  • Straight pins
  • Thread

Project Details:
  • Time: 1–2 hours
  • Skill Level: Intermediate

Using an old winter coat and some Velcro, this easy dog coat pattern will make you feel better about that old windbreaker you’ve been holding onto for too long. With minimal sewing skills and a little time, you’ll have a thick and cozy dog coat for your furry friend.


6. How to Make Dog Pants – Cuteness

How to Make Dog Pants – Cuteness
Image Credit: Cuteness

Materials:
  • Scrap fabric
  • Sewing needle and thread
  • A strip of elastic band

Project Details:
  • Time: 1–2 hours
  • Skill: Easy–Intermediate

We all see dogs wearing jackets and sweaters, but what about dog pants? This is an easy dog pants pattern that only takes a little sewing and some old shirts to make a cute pair of pants. It’s also a great pattern to make pants for costumes.


7. No-Sew Shark Dog Costume – Busy Mom’s Helper

No-Sew Shark Dog Costume – Busy Mom’s Helper
Image Credit: Busy Mom’s Helper

Materials:
  • Blue-grey fleece
  • White fleece
  • Red ribbon
  • Black marker
  • Triangle foam
  • Ribbon for fastening
  • Hot glue gun

Project Details:
  • Time: 20–30 minutes
  • Skill level: Easy

With some fleece and a hot glue gun, you can transform your dog into a great white shark for Halloween. This pattern is so easy that you’ll wonder how you didn’t think of it yourself. The best part of this costume is that it requires no sewing at all.


8. No-Sew Sweater for Small Dogs and Puppies – SewDelish

No-Sew Sweater for Small Dogs and Puppies – SewDelish
Image Credit: SewDelish

Materials:
  • Sleeve from an old baby sweater or onesie
  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors

Project Details:
  • Time: 5–10 minutes
  • Skill level: Easy

If you have a small dog or puppy that needs a winter coat, this no-sew sweater for small dogs is a great DIY option. Similar to other no-sew clothing, this uses old clothing as the main body of the coat. Old baby clothes are the perfect soft and cozy fabric for small dogs and puppies.


9. DIY Dog Coat – Ricochet & Away

DIY Dog Coat – Ricochet & Away
Image Credit: Ricochet & Away

Materials:
  • Outer fabric
  • Lining fabric
  • Batting
  • Fleece
  • Sew-on Velcro
  • Polyester Thread or Invisible thread
  • Sewing Machine

Project Details:
  • Time: Depends on sewing experience
  • Skill Level: Intermediate-Advanced

If your sewing skills are up for a fun challenge, this beautiful DIY Dog Coat is a great step above a basic sewing project. It may take a little time if you’re new to sewing, but your dog will be thankful in the end. It’s also a perfect handmade gift for the dog lover in your social circle.


10. Chic Dog Sweater – DIY Projects

Chic Dog Sweater – DIY Projects
Image Credit: DIY Projects

Materials:
  • Old fashion or designer sweater
  • Scissors
  • Ribbon
  • Buttons

Project Details:
  • Time: 30–60 minutes
  • Skill level: Intermediate

Some dogs deserve a designer style and it’s possible to do that without breaking the bank. This DIY dog sweater uses an old designer sweater and a sewing machine to turn your dog into a fashion statement. It can also be bedazzled for some bling if the sweater is too boring.


11. Canine Carhartt Coat – Instructables

Canine Carhartt Coat
Image by: Instructables

Materials:
  • Old Carhartt coat
  • Black thick thread
  • 2 x 7-inch zippers
  • Stitch ripper
  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • Sewing machine
  • Serger

Project Details:
  • Time: Depends on experience
  • Skill level: Intermediate

Some dog coats just don’t seem to cut it when it comes to harsh weather. Instead of spending money on an overpriced dog coat that barely works, grab your scissors and old Carhartt coat for the ultimate DIY coat project. Your dog will also look cool in this, so it’s worth cutting a Carhartt up.


12. Easy Knit Dog Sweater

Easy Knit Dog Sweater
Image by: petmd

Materials:
  • 8-ply yarn
  • 0mm knitting needles
  • Tapestry needle
  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors

Project Details:
  • Time: Depends on experience
  • Skill level: Easy–Intermediate

No DIY dog clothing list can be complete without a knitted sweater pattern. This is a beginner-friendly pattern for new knitters that is worked only in the garter stitch. Impress your friends and family with a new skill and create custom-fitting coats for your pooch.


13. Crochet Basic Dog Sweater – Maria’s Blue Crayon

Crochet Basic Dog Sweater – Maria’s Blue Crayon
Image by: Maria’s Blue Crayon

Materials:
  • Worsted weight yarn
  • I/5.5mm crochet hook
  • Stitch markers
  • Tapestry needle
  • Tape measure
  • Scissors

Project Details:
  • Time: Depends on experience
  • Skill level: Easy–Intermediate

Crochet dog clothing is one of the most popular crochet items, with hundreds of patterns to choose from. If you’re just starting out with crochet, this basic dog sweater is a good pattern to try. It’s simple but looks super stylish, so be ready for lots of compliments.


14. DIY Pineapple Dog Costume – Brit + Co

DIY Pineapple Dog Costume – Brit + Co
Image by: Brit + Co

Materials:
  • Yellow dog t-shirt
  • Yellow One-Wrap Velcro
  • Gold paint pen
  • Green felt
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue

Project Details:
  • Time: 30–60 minutes
  • Skill Level: Easy

Dressing dogs in funny and silly costumes can be fun but buying costumes at the pet store adds up quickly. This adorable pineapple dog costume is easy to make and costs a fraction of the price of a retail costume.


15. Well Dressed Dog Coat – Moogly

Well Dressed Dog Coat – Moogly
Image by: Moogly

For a more sophisticated look, this crochet dog coat is a good project after you’ve learned the basics of crochet. It’s made with worsted-weight yarn and can be easily memorized once you’ve completed one. This crochet pattern will have people asking where you bought it from.

Materials:
  • Worsted weight yarn
  • K/6.5mm crochet hook
  • Scissors
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Measuring Tape

Project Details:
  • Time: Depends on experience
  • Skill level: Advanced


16. Trash Bag Raincoat – Instructables

Trash Bag Raincoat – Instructables
Image by: Instructables

Materials:
  • Plastic garbage bag
  • Scissors
  • Tape

Project Details:
  • Time: 5 Minutes
  • Skill level: Easy

This DIY trash bag raincoat might not be reusable, but it’s a much cheaper alternative than buying a fancy dog raincoat. With some scissors and tape, you can make a waterproof layer to keep your dog dry during bad weather.


17. DIY Diva Doggie Tutu – Blacksburg Belle

DIY Diva Doggie Tutu – Blacksburg Belle
Image by: Blacksburg Belle

Materials:
  • 1–2½ yards of Tulle
  • 1-inch elastic
  • Scissors
  • Needle and thread

Project Details:
  • Time: 30–60 minutes
  • Skill level: Easy

If your dog really loves to dance, a doggie tutu is the perfect DIY project to start. It only requires a little sewing and a whole lot of tulle, the stuff that tutus are made of. This tutu pattern is easy to follow and fun to make.


18. DIY Dog Sweatshirt – Top Dog Tips

Materials:
  • 1 adult sweatshirt (hood is optional)
  • Scissors
  • Paperclips
  • Measuring tape
  • Needle and thread or a sewing machine

Project Details:
  • Time: 30–60 minutes
  • Skill level: Easy–Intermediate

If you have an old hoodie that you’re planning on throwing out, repurpose it into a stylish dog sweatshirt instead. With simple hand sewing or a machine and some thread, this DIY pattern will teach you how to make dog clothes by transforming your old hoodie into a cozy dog sweater.

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Conclusion

Now that you have a few ideas, your dog is bound to have a closet full of adorable garments to wear in no time! One thing to note, be sure to always keep your dog’s comfort in mind when it comes to fitting and warmth!

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Featured Image Credit: Pixabay

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