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19 Stylish DIY Dog Coat Ideas You Can Make Today (With Pictures)
You wouldn’t be caught without a warm winter coat when traveling outside in freezing temperatures. Imagine having to go outdoors with no protection every time you needed to go to the bathroom or walk down the street. Sounds miserable, right? That’s precisely how a short-haired or small-built dog feels. They can’t stay warm like a double-coated dog, such as a Husky, who’s made for the snow.
When you mulled over buying a coat for your pooch, the prices may have left you searching for other options. We have found unique DIY projects that teach you how to make dog coats for every level of expertise. So, if you aren’t particularly crafty, no worries. There are still easy options.
Top 19 DIY Dog Coats
1. Jenelle Nicole DIY Puppy Coat
| Tools: | Sewing Machine |
| Materials: | Chalk, Cloth, Safety Pin, Scissors |
Do you have a little pup in need of an extra layer of warmth in the colder months? Jenelle Nicole has created this super adorable puppy coat — and she shows you how to do the same. She walks through how to resize the coat based on how large or small you will need to make it. She also includes additional templates under the video description.
Jenelle uses an adorable buffalo check print for the material, but you can use any heavy material that you prefer.
2. Professor Pincushion DIY Dog Coat
| Tools: | Tape Measure and Scissors |
| Materials: | Tape, Pencil, Marker and French ruler |
In this tutorial from Professor Pincushion, an instructor walks you through how to accurately measure your dog to provide the best fit for your coat. Then, they teach you how to hone your sewing skills to make a specially tailored design for your furry friend.
You will need to know the necessary sewing skills for this coat or be willing to learn. You will also need to have the basics like material, scissors, pattern paper, flexible tape measure, ruler, and tape.
3. Cooking for Dogs DIY Fleece Coat
| Tools: |
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| Materials: |
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This Cooking for Dogs No-Sew Jacket is simple to create and made of cozy fleece material. The instructor walks you through how to measure your dog and then proceed with the material cuts. In the video, they use an old pair of fleece sweatpants, making it extremely easy and inexpensive — if not free — to create.
All you will need is the proper old garments to make the ideal cuts for your dog. They will be as snug as a bug in a rug, and you won’t even need to brush the surface of learning to sew.
4. Style Novice DIY Winter Dog Coat
| Tools: | Tape Measurement, Thread, Polar Fleece, Sewing Machine |
| Materials: | Velcro, Large Card, Paper |
This Style Novice tutorial will show you exactly how to make the ideal winter dog coat for your pup. You will need to correctly measure your dog and have the proper sewing skills to make it a success. Measuring your dog before purchasing the material is advised so you aren’t short or drastically over the necessary amount.
Other items you will need are a sewing machine, thread, Velcro, and sewing paper. If you are a beginner or don’t have a sewing machine, choosing another selection on this DIY list may be better for you.
5. Cassie Johnston DIY Cozy Dog Coat
| Tools: | Coordinating thread, Sewing machine (you can sew this by hand, too), Sewing needle, Ruler, Scissors |
| Materials: | Pattern printable, Pattern paper (you can buy specific paper, but any large, blank paper will do—old wrapping paper, newsprint, kraft paper, etc.), Measuring tape, Pencil or pen, 1 yard fleece*, for the outside, 1 yard sherpa/faux fur*, for the lining, 12” of 1-inch wide sew-on hook-and-loop fastener, Iron and ironing board, Straight pins, Disappearing ink pen |
In this step-by-step DIY, Cassie Johnston writes out how to make a dog coat that's super cozy in less than 30 minutes. This is another selection that shows a coat in buffalo check material, but you can select any pattern you like.
First, you will need to print the pattern, which is linked in the materials section of the blog post. You can sew this coat by hand or using a sewing machine, though it will be faster with the machine, of course.
6. Annika Victoria DIY Dog Sweater
| Tools: | Tape Measure, Ruler, and Safety Pins |
| Materials: | Paper, Pen, and Old cloth |
Annika Victoria walks you through a detailed tutorial on how to create a perfectly warm dog sweater to protect your pooch from the elements. She gives a comprehensive list of supplies that you will need to create this piece. It’s recommended to select a material capable of stretching, so it can pull over the dog nicely.
You will need to have basic sewing skills for this coat, but hand-stitching is fine. The tutorial is easy to follow and the sewing pattern is straightforward.
7. 1MD No-Sew DIY Jacket
| Tools: | Scissors, Pins, and Measuring Tape |
| Materials: | Fleecy Jumper and Fleecy Track Pants |
On 1MD DIY Projects, this no-sew jacket is a fast and easy design idea. The only supplies that you will need for this one will be scissors, fleece track pants and a top, pins, and a flexible tape measure. This guide walks you through each step, being as clear as possible.
The no-sew coat plans are ideal for people who want a quick hassle-free way to give their dogs a cute item to keep them warm.
8. Evelyn Wood DIY Dog Coat Refashion
In this tutorial by Evelyn Wood, she shows how to turn an old baby clothing piece into an adorable dog coat for your small breed or puppy. She takes you through the creative process on how she found the correct baby item that would fit the purpose. Then, she guides you through how she transformed the piece for her dog, Esme.
This is a relatively straightforward idea for someone who has minimal to moderate sewing experience. You may even be able to skimp on the sewing and use fabric glue instead.
9. WonderFil Threads High Visibility DIY Dog Coat
| Tools: | Stitch Needle, Needle, Thread, Scissors |
| Materials: | Lining Fabric, Velcro, and Measuring Tape |
If you and your pooch enjoy late night or early morning hours while the sun isn’t visible, this high-visibility dog coat by WonderFil Threads could work wonders for you. In the video, the tutorial shows a lovely plaid material lined with denim. However, you can select any warm, durable material that you prefer.
The important part you need to follow is the reflective thread used, as this is what creates the high-visibility effect. This is a coat that will need to be put through the sewing machine, so being experienced with this gadget is recommended.
10. SewSheCan DIY Dog Coat
| Tools: | 2 1/2’’ wide bias binding, matching thread, a safety pin, scissors, and sewing machine |
| Materials: | a piece of batting or scrap fabric large enough to drape over your dog as seen above, plaid flannel or other outer fabric for the top (exterior) part of the coat, cotton or polyester batting for the inside of the coat (see my batting tip below), fabric for the lining of the coat, sharpie marker, hook and loop tape for the closure, a.k.a. |
If you have a larger dog who is willing to be your model, this SewSheCan dog coat is both efficient in warmth and structure. This post provides a detailed list of anything you may need during the creation process. She also includes a video so you can see the whole thing come to life.
If you would like to follow the written instruction per the blog post, you can. If you prefer watching the video, that’s perfectly fine as well. It’s beneficial to have both to address various learning styles.
11. Cosplay Banzai Fleece DIY Dog Coat
| Tools: | Scissors and Tape |
| Materials: | Blanket |
This simple design shown by Cosplay Banzai is a tutorial for a fleece dog coat. You can select any fleece fabric you prefer to dress your dog in style. He shows you how to cut the fleece material into the appropriate patterns properly and how to attach them with a sewing machine.
The video is slow-paced so you won’t feel rushed. He also links the website in the description so you can have the written guidance if you prefer that method instead.
12. Martha Stewart Polar Fleece DIY Dog Coat
| Tools: | Scissors and Tape |
| Materials: | Blanket |
This video is guided by Martha Stewart herself, showing everyone how to make their own polar fleece dog coat for smaller breeds. Along with her video partner, they show you how to turn polyester polar fleece material into a wearable design for your dog. Following the necessary instructions will help you to have one of your own.
This is a lightweight design that is comfortable for your dog. This is an item that will need machine-sewn if you want to follow the tutorial to completion.
13. Cozy Fleece DIY Dog Coat by Compulsive Craftiness
| Tools: | Sewing Machine |
| Materials: | 1/2 yard fleece (If you want a contrasting lining, buy 2 1/2 yard pieces. You can’t get anything smaller than 1/2 yard in order for this pattern to fit.), 6 inches of sew-on velcro and Matching thread |
This cozy dog fleece coat requires only about half a yard of fleece and 15 minutes of sewing to create. While the coat can probably be sewn by hand, only sewing machine instructions come with the pattern. The pattern is tailored to dogs between 10 and 12 pounds, but slight changes can be made to accommodate smaller and larger dogs. Using fleece material with different patterns on each side will make the coat reversible!
14. DIY Hound Dog Hoodie by Urban Threads
| Tools: | knit or hoodie material, a measuring tape, and Urban Threads design. |
| Materials: | Marking pen |
This super cute hound dog hoodie is perfect for chilly fall days and evenings, both indoors and outside. The template is variable to accommodate all dog sizes, so be sure to measure the dog that you’ll be outfitting before making any pattern adjustments. The instructions are thorough and straightforward, making it possible for anyone with even basic sewing skills to create a warming hoodie for their pups.
15. Upcycled DIY Doggy Coat by You Make it Simple
| Tools: | Sewing machine, Serger (optional), Pins, Scissors |
| Materials: | 2 inch strip of fleece for binding (optional), Upcycled Sweater, or sweatshirt (fleece fabric could work as well) |
All you need to get started with this DIY dog coat is an old sweater that you no longer need or want. The pattern comes with sizing for dogs between about 5 and 90 pounds. You just need to measure your dog’s chest and body length to determine where your fabric cuts should be. Instructions for both a sewing machine and a serger are provided, which offers flexibility. The included video tutorial helps make all the steps clear and precise.
16. No Sew DIY Denim Dog Vest by Instructables
| Tools: | scissors |
| Materials: | 1 pair of denim jeans |
This denim vest will help keep your canine family member warm during chilly days, but it’s not so thick or heavy that it will weigh them down while they run and play. All you need is a pair of old jeans—or at least, the leg of a pair of jeans—and scissors to make this vest happen. There’s no need for any sewing supplies at all! Since the material of the vest is made of denim, it can hold up to wear and tear well and be a long-lasting part of your dog’s wardrobe overall.
17. DIY Flannel Doggy Coat by Sew Doggy Style
If you have an old flannel hanging around, you can make your dog a little coat, complete with a collar and pocket to hold important things like snacks and doggy bags while on outdoor adventures. This tutorial teaches you how to create your own template based on your dog’s specific measurements. From there, you can sew the embellishments onto the coat, then add the Velcro straps before outfitting your dog.
18. DIY Doggy Raincoat by Jenn Lees Jottings
It’s never fun to head back inside with a wet dog after a walk in the rain. To keep your dog dry, consider making them this cool doggy raincoat! It is made out of a reusable grocery bag that was designed to repel moisture. It shouldn’t take more than a short afternoon to turn that old bag into a swanky and effective raincoat that is sure to provide protection and keep your dog dry so you don’t have to skip walks due to inclement weather.
Related Read: Best Dog Sweaters - Our Reviews & Top Picks!
19. No Sew DIY Doggie Cape by Instructables
| Tools: | Iron |
| Materials: | Fabric that won't unravel at edges (felt works great!), Felt in another color for extra designs, Velcro Dots, Heat n Bond iron on adhesive |
As long as you are using fabric that will not unravel at the edges when cut, you can make this adorable doggy cape with just a few supplies and accessories. You don’t need to know how to sew or have any special DIY skills, for that matter. This design also makes a great base for a Halloween costume.
Conclusion
Keeping your dog warm in the cold months is not an option — it is your responsibility as a pet owner. Not all dogs are built for the winter. They will need an extra layer of defense during walks or trips out to the bathroom. Thankfully, with these inexpensive projects, you can make that happen without breaking the bank. They aren’t just efficient for maintaining your dog’s body temperature, they are also delightfully cute.
Featured Image Credit: Ingrid Dietrich from Pexels
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Nicole is a lover of animals of all sizes but is especially fascinated with the feline variety. She’s the proud mom of Baby, a Burmese, and works every day so he can relax in the sunshine or by the fire. She’s always had a cat in her home and has spent countless days with others, observing behaviors and softening up even the grouchiest of the lot. Nicole wants to share her kitty expertise with you so you and your cat can live happy, healthy, and care-free.
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