As lifelong crafters, we’ve had many years to figure out what our very favourite kinds of crafts to make are. As it turns out, it’s not so much the kind of craft we’re doing that matters as it is who we’re making it for.
We’ve always felt so much joy in crafting for family and friends that we never thought we’d find a more fulfilling goal than to make our loved ones feel happy with our DIY skills… until the first time we made something for our dogs. At that time, we learned about the very real possibility that seeing your best furry friend wear some kind of funny garment that you made for them yourself just might be the most cheerful feeling in the world!
That’s why we’re always on the lookout for new DIY dog clothes that we can try making for our pets, big and small.
Are you feeling just as enthusiastic as we were, if not more, about the idea of making your very own adorable DIY dog clothes?
Making Dog Clothes Yourself
Check out these 15 fantastic ideas, designs, and tutorials that we’ve come across in our search for inspiration and guidance!
1. Canine Carhartt dog coat
Is your dog just big enough that you’re pretty sure one of your teenager’s old sweaters would fit him without too much adjustment? Well, any DIY dog clothing will naturally require a little bit of altering, but this lovely Carhartt style dog coat featured in detail on Instructables is actually quite simple indeed to make from a medium sized sweater, requiring only a few changes!
2. DIY doggie shirt with a bowtie
Is your dog much smaller than the furry friend pictured above and certainly not about to be borrowing any human sweaters any time soon? Well, especially if you love the idea of adding a little bit of personality to the garment you’re about to make for you furry friend, just for some fun novelty, then we think you’ll really enjoy trying your hand at this smaller doggie shirt from Herstoria that has a funny little bowtie attached to the front!
3. Pet coat from an old plaid shirt
Have we really caught your attention with this whole idea of making a new piece of dog clothing from an old garment that someone in your family doesn’t wear anymore, but you’re just not sure you have any hoodies to spare? Well, if you happen to find an old plaid shirt with buttons and a collar that no one’s wearing anymore than you’ve got just about everything you need to make this cute collared dog jacket with a back pocket on it, courtesy of Sew Doggy Style!
4. Lined dog jacket from a recycled denim jacket
Did you actually take a rifle through the family closets in search of an old hoodie for your medium or large dog to wear after some alterations, but all you could find was a denim jacket no one claimed when you asked? Well, believe it or not, you can totally still make a warm doggie jacket from that as well! Take a better look at the tutorial featured on Instructables to see how they made their old denim into a dog jacket that’s even lined nice and simply for warmth.
5. Upcycled dog sweater from an old knit sweater
Were you quite intrigued indeed by the idea of altering a human hoodie to turn it into a dog jacket, but all you could find was an old sweater and the pooch you had in mind is a little smaller than the dog you saw above? Well, you’re actually still in business; you just have to alter your process a little! This tutorial from Resweater will be a better guide for you because it teaches you how to work with knit sweater material instead for an easier time, and it also gives you smaller sizes so the final jacket will actually fit your littler furry family member!
6. DIY dog hoodie
Just in case you’ve actually been scrolling through our list thinking about how you adore the idea of upcycling human clothes into dog clothes but you’re looking for a resource that will account for the fact that your dog is rather large indeed, here’s precisely the kind of thing we think you might be looking for! Smart Dog Lover shows you in very simple terms how to turn that unused hoodie into… well… a hoodie that you’re basically just going to put on your dog instead. There are a few alterations for comfort around the arms, but your dog will still be looking all charming in a hoodie in the end!
7. DIY dog shirt and skirt from a dollar store baby bib
Are you actually still looking for funny things that you can make your very small dog but the clothing alterations ideas just aren’t going to work because they’re all too big? Well, if you happen to think your puny pup would look charming in a dress rather than a coat, then maybe you’d prefer to try your hand at this tutorial from Love Pets DIY that teaches you how to make a dog shirt and skirt from a dollar store baby bib and the cut top section of a tote bag!
8. Lovely crocheted dog sweater
Even though you’re a well rounded crafter who can make things of all kinds, have your very favourite kinds of projects really always been the ones that put your crochet skills to good use? Then we’d be willing to bet that this next tutorial and guide from Maria’s Blue Crayon is precisely the kind of idea you’ve been hoping to come across right from the start. Check out their page to find a crochet pattern for adorable dog sweaters in two different sizes.
9. DIY doggie dress shirt collar
Rather than dressing your dog in some kind of warm garment for taking walks in, would you actually rather spiffy him up a little for the next time you have company over for dinner, just to show off his friendly, charming personality and make your friends laugh? Then we think you’l have a total blast trying out this tutorial from The Cheerful Times in order to turn old shirts into doggie dress shirt collars.
10. Fuzzy lined home sewn pup coat
Perhaps you actually live in a rather chilly place that stays shivery on into spring but you and your dog are big outdoors lovers and you’re definitely in need of a garment that will keep him warmer while you’re walking, just so he really gets to enjoy his time to run without getting to cold and having to call it quits early? Well, if you’re even a basic sewing enthusiast who can follow at least a simple pattern than we’d absolutely suggest trying out this fuzzy lined coat from Wholefully that will protect your four legged friend from cold winds as you walk.
11. Tiny puppy sweater from a recycled sock
Have you recently surprised your children with a brand new tiny puppy who they’re having the time of their lives snuggling but you’re actually finding that the poor baby gets a little shivery whenever you have to put him down somewhere to get things done? Then we think you might be better off making one of these adorable little puppy sweaters outlined on Instructables, which is actually made from an old sock!
12. Easy small dog sweater from a big knitted sweater sleeve
Are you actually still scrolling through our list and thinking about how your favourite idea so far was the one that involved upcycling an old knitted sweater to make a miniature version for your pet, but your dog is a little smaller than that patterned called for and you’re not sure you have the know-how to alter it yourself? Then we think this cute tutorial for even smaller dogs might be a little more up your alley! Vo Knits teaches you how to make it happen from a sweater sleeve specifically.
13. Insulated DIY dog booties
Does your dog actually already have a little coat to wear but you’re still worried about him getting cold because the ground stays slushy or snowy for much of the year where you live and you’re worried that the pads of his feet will get sore on walks? Then we think these funny but very effective little insulated dog booties might be worth looking at! Barley Bons shows you how easily and quickly they can be made.
14. Funny, frivolous dog scarf
Do we actually still have you thinking about how much you loved the idea of crocheting something for your dog but you’re still a little bit of a beginner and you’re just not sure that you’ve got the skills to make the sweaters that we showed you earlier on our list happen? Well, that doesn’t have to mean that you can’t still crochet some kind of doggie garment! It might seem a little frivolous to make your dog a scarf, but that’s precisely what Grateful Prayer, Thankful Heart is here to teach you how to make, and they’ve embraced all frivolity solely because the finished look is cute and fun.
15. Easy to sew dog cape
Does you dog tend to shiver on walks just enough that you can’t help wanting to make him a little jacket for a bit of extra insulation, but you’ve also tried enough clothing on him before to know that he won’t tolerate having anything covered besides his back? Then we think what you’re really in the market for is a dog cape! This piece (complete with a step by step tutorial) from Cooking for Dogs is the perfect example of what we mean.
Have you made other kinds of cute DIY dog clothes before that you were very happy with indeed and still dress your furry friend in but that you don’t see anything quite similar to here on our list? Tell us all about what you created and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!
