As you bundle on your biggest winter coat and grab your knitted scarf from the shelf, spare a thought for your pup! With only fur to keep them cosy, dogs (especially smaller breeds) can feel a chill just as easily as us when the weather gets frosty. That’s why so many dog-owning sewists have started creating coats for their furry friends, helping them stay nice and cosy on long wintery walks.
With many dog owners at Good Fabric, we share your enthusiasm for keeping your pets warm. That’s why we’ve scoured the internet to discover the best of the best in dog coat sewing patterns, combining our top five here for you – and your pups! Enjoy 🐾
1. Barka Dog Coat by Merchant & Mills
The Barka Dog Coat Pattern by Merchant & Mills gives us sophisticated vibes, perfect for the posh pup. A fitted shape, lined, and with metal snap fastenings, it’s a fairly complicated pattern that needs some sewing expertise, but you don’t need to be a master on your sewing machine to give it a go.
We love how secure this coat looks around your dog, and can imagine that it does an excellent job of keeping wind, rain, and cold at bay! Comfort is a top priority but it doesn’t skimp on style, either, with an undeniable classy feel that will be sure to draw many envious eyes.
2. Free Dog Coat by The Assembly Line
If you love a freebie as much as we do, you’ll be happy to hear that the dog coat sewing pattern from The Assembly Line doesn’t cost a penny! With an easy skill level, it’s the perfect choice for someone making a coat for their furry friend for the first time.
Available in three different sizes, it’s not quite as customizable as other options, but Velcro straps make it adjustable for a more secure fit. It also has a drawstring tie around the neck, which allows you to slip the coat on and off easily. Fleece lining provides added warmth and comfort, ensuring your dog loves to get dressed up for their daily walk.
3. Free Dog Coat Sewing Pattern from Closet Core
Woohoo, another free pattern! This one is more complicated than The Assembly Line’s free dog coat pattern and will require a little skill to create, but it’s well worth it for the end result. Fully lined, Closet Core’s Free Pet Coat Pattern has darts that create a curve to fit around your dog’s hips and a Velcro harness to wrap beneath the chest for a great fit.
The coat is quilted, too, for bonus fashion points and extra warmth. The bias binding adds the opportunity for two different fabric patterns or colours so that you can get creative with your dog’s style. Note that this dog coat sewing pattern is drafted for a back length of 8-28” but can be adjusted to different sizes.
4. Poppy Dog Coat Sewing Pattern by Poppy & Jazz
The super simple Poppy Dog Coat by Poppy & Jazz (available on Sew Over It) is an easy make, perfect for beginners. Velcro fastenings are probably the most complex part of this pattern, which should tell you just how easy it is! A no-frills coat that’ll keep your dog warm in colder weather – what more do you need?
The fully reversible design is the standout feature of this coat sewing pattern. Choose two fabrics for different situations, such as a fluffy fleece and smart tartan, and sew a coat for all occasions.
5. Dog Coat Patterns by Simplicity
Simplicity has tons of dog coat sewing patterns available, so be sure to browse through all of them to find your top picks. In the meantime, though, we’ve selected a few of our faves to show off.
Our first choice is the S9416 Dog Coat, which has a lot of design options to style your coat to your preferences. Make yours with a hood, teeny tiny pockets, and buttons going up the back. Or, create a simple quilted coat with a contrasting leather collar. No matter what you choose, this is a gorgeous dog coat pattern that wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end boutique.
We also love the S9426 Pet Coat Pattern, which reminds us of a little puffer jacket but for dogs! Thick quilting ensures plenty of warmth, with options for a hood and Velcro fastenings. There are four different design options and three different sizes, giving you plenty of choice.
A Note on Fabrics
Different dog coat sewing patterns will have recommendations for different fabrics. In general, though, we’d recommend using mid-heavy cotton canvas, twill, corduroy, or cotton jacquard. Oilskin is another popular option, though be warned that you can’t wash it! If you have a mucky pup who jumps into every puddle and river it can find, you might want to consider taking an oilskin coat off before letting them run free. If it does get dirty, wait for it to dry, and then brush off any mud.
In terms of lining, many people love a cotton fleece, a simple cotton, or a barrier lining. For the free coat pattern from The Assembly Line, however, they recommend creating the entire coat in nylon for a waterproof finish.
Start Sewing!
We love each of these 5 dog coat sewing patterns, perfect for keeping your pup cosy, and hope that you do too. If you’d like more information or want to share your creations with us, feel free to pop us a DM on Instagram, where you can also follow us @good_fabric_store for plenty of bitesize sewing tips. We can’t wait to connect with you!