How To Make A Dog Bed: Beautiful DIY Pet Comfort

Your dog deserves a comfortable place to rest, a spot that’s all their own where they can curl up and dream of chasing squirrels.

While store-bought dog beds are plentiful, there’s a special kind of satisfaction that comes from creating something with your own hands for your furry best friend.

Learning how to make a dog bed allows you to customize the size, fabric, and firmness to perfectly suit your pup’s needs and your home’s decor.

You might be thinking that a DIY project like this requires expert-level sewing skills, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

This guide is designed for beginners and will walk you through several easy-to-follow methods for creating a beautiful and comfortable dog bed.

From a simple no-sew fleece pillow to a more structured bed made from an upcycled sweater, we have a project for every skill level.

So, get ready to unleash your creativity and spoil your pup with a custom-made bed they’ll absolutely adore. Let’s dive into the simple, fun, and rewarding world of DIY pet comfort.

Planning Your Perfect Pet Bed

Before you start cutting fabric, a little bit of planning will ensure the bed you make is the perfect fit for your dog and your home.

This initial step is key to a successful project and is an important part of learning how to make a dog bed that will be loved and used.

Getting the Size Just Right

A common mistake is making a bed that is too small or, surprisingly, too large. Dogs are den animals and often feel most secure in a space that is snug and cozy.

• Measure Your Dog: The best way to determine the right size is to observe your dog in their favorite sleeping position.
  • For “Curlers”: If your dog likes to curl up in a tight ball, measure their length from head to tail while they’re curled and add about 8-10 inches to get the diameter for a round bed.
  • For “Sprawlers”: If your dog loves to stretch out, measure them from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail and add 8-10 inches to determine the length for a rectangular bed.
• Consider the Location: Think about where the bed will go. Measure the available space in that cozy corner of the living room or next to your own bed to ensure your creation will fit perfectly.

Choosing the Right Fabric

The fabric you choose is important for both durability and comfort. Look for materials that are sturdy but also soft and, most importantly, machine washable.

• Fleece: This is a fantastic choice for beginners. It’s soft, warm, doesn’t fray (meaning no hemming is required for no-sew projects), and comes in countless colors and patterns.
• Duck Canvas or Upholstery Fabric: These are extremely durable, heavy-duty fabrics that can stand up to digging, scratching, and chewing. They are a great choice for dogs who are a bit rough on their belongings.
• Denim: Old pairs of jeans can be upcycled into a very strong and stylish dog bed cover.
• Faux Fur or Sherpa: For a touch of luxury and extra warmth, these super-soft fabrics are a wonderful option, especially as one side of a two-sided bed.

Selecting the Perfect Filling

The inside of the bed is just as important as the outside.

• Poly-Fil (Polyester Fiberfill): This is the classic, fluffy stuffing you find in most pillows and stuffed animals. It’s inexpensive, machine washable, and readily available at any craft store.
• Memory Foam: For older dogs, dogs with arthritis, or those who need extra joint support, an orthopedic memory foam base is an excellent choice. You can buy memory foam toppers or bath mats and cut them to size.
• Upcycled Materials: Old pillows, blankets, towels, or even clothes can be used as stuffing. This is a budget-friendly and eco-friendly option. Just be sure to remove any buttons, zippers, or hard elements.

Project 1: The Super-Simple No-Sew Fleece Bed

This is the perfect beginner project. If you can use a pair of scissors and tie a knot, you can master this method for how to make a dog bed in under an hour. It requires no sewing machine, no needles, and no thread.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Two pieces of fleece fabric, cut to the same size (based on your dog’s measurements, plus 8 inches for the fringe).
• Sharp scissors or a rotary cutter and mat.
• Ruler or measuring tape.
• Polyester fiberfill or other soft stuffing.

Step-by-Step No-Sew Instructions:

Step 1: Cut Your Fabric
Lay your two pieces of fleece on a flat surface, one on top of the other, with the “right” sides (the softer, more vibrant sides) facing out. Make sure all the edges are lined up perfectly.

Step 2: Cut the Corners
From each of the four corners, cut out a square measuring 4 inches by 4 inches. You’ll be cutting through both layers of fabric at once. This removes the bulky corner fabric and makes tying the knots much neater.

Step 3: Cut the Fringe
Now it’s time to create the fringe that you’ll tie together. Starting at one corner, cut 4-inch deep slits into the fabric, spaced about 1 inch apart.

Continue cutting this fringe along all four sides of the fabric, making sure to cut through both layers at the same time. A ruler can help you keep your fringe length and width consistent.

Step 4: Start Tying
Begin tying the top and bottom fringe strips together. Take one top strip and its corresponding bottom strip and tie them together in a secure double knot. Continue this process, working your way around three sides of the bed.

Step 5: Stuff the Bed
Once three sides are tied, you’ll have an opening on the fourth side. Gently stuff the bed with your chosen filling.

Distribute the stuffing evenly, making sure to get it into the corners. Don’t overstuff it; you want it to be plush but still soft enough for your dog to sink into comfortably.

Step 6: Finish Tying
After the bed is stuffed to your satisfaction, continue tying the remaining fringe strips on the fourth side until the bed is completely sealed.

Fluff the bed, place it in your dog’s favorite spot, and watch them enjoy their new cozy retreat!

Project 2: The Easy-Sew Pillow Bed

If you have a sewing machine and know how to sew a straight line, this project is a fantastic way to create a durable, washable dog bed with a removable cover.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Durable fabric (like duck canvas, denim, or upholstery fabric) for the outer cover.
• Inexpensive cotton or muslin fabric for the inner pillow insert.
• A long zipper (a few inches shorter than the length of one side of your bed).
• Matching thread.
• Sewing machine.
• Fabric scissors, pins, and a measuring tape.
• Your chosen stuffing (Poly-fil, old pillows, etc.).

Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions:

Part A: Create the Inner Pillow Insert

1. Cut the Fabric: Cut two pieces of your muslin or inexpensive cotton fabric to the desired dimensions of your finished bed (e.g., 24×36 inches).
2. Sew the Pillow: Place the two pieces of fabric together with the right sides facing each other. Pin them in place. Using your sewing machine, sew around all four sides with a ½-inch seam allowance, leaving a 6-8 inch opening on one side for stuffing.
3. Turn and Stuff: Turn the pillow insert right-side out through the opening. Stuff it with your filling until it’s comfortably full.
4. Close the Opening: Neatly fold the raw edges of the opening inwards and sew it shut, either by hand with a simple whipstitch or carefully with your sewing machine. This inner pillow is now complete.

Part B: Create the Removable Outer Cover

1. Cut the Fabric: Cut two pieces of your durable outer fabric, making them about 1 inch larger on all sides than your inner pillow insert. This extra inch accounts for the seam allowance and ensures a snug but not-too-tight fit.
2. Install the Zipper: Take one of the fabric pieces. On one of the shorter sides, install your zipper according to your machine’s instructions for a centered zipper application.
3. Sew the Cover: Unzip the zipper about halfway. Place the two outer cover pieces together, right sides facing. Pin them together. Sew around the three non-zippered sides with a ½-inch seam allowance.
4. Turn and Finish: Clip the corners to reduce bulk. Turn the cover right-side out through the unzipped opening. Push out the corners to make them sharp.
5. Assemble: Simply place your completed inner pillow insert inside the removable cover and zip it closed.

This two-part design is a game-changer for cleaning. When the bed gets dirty, you can just unzip the cover and toss it in the wash.

Project 3: The Upcycled Cozy Sweater Bed

This clever project turns an old, sentimental sweater into a cozy, cuddler-style bed, perfect for a small dog or cat. It’s a wonderful way to learn how to make a dog bed while giving a cherished item a new purpose.

Materials You’ll Need:

• One large, long-sleeved sweater (chunky knits or fleece sweaters work best).
• A standard-sized bed pillow OR loose fiberfill.
• Needle and thread or a sewing machine.
• Scissors.

Step-by-Step Upcycling Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sweater: Lay the sweater flat with the front side facing up.
2. Create the Neckline Seam: Sew a straight line across the chest of the sweater, from armpit to armpit. This creates a separate compartment for the main pillow and the bolster arms.
3. Stuff the Body: Insert a standard bed pillow into the body of the sweater, below the seam you just sewed. If you’re using loose fiberfill, stuff the body section until it forms a firm, comfortable pillow base.
4. Stuff the Arms and Top: Now, take your loose fiberfill and stuff the sleeves and the top chest portion of the sweater (above the seam you sewed). This will create the wrap-around “bolster” part of the bed.
5. Close the Openings: Sew the cuff of each sleeve closed. Then, sew the bottom hem of the sweater closed to secure the main pillow inside.
6. Form the Cuddler Shape: Bring the two stuffed sleeves around to the front of the bed. Overlap the cuffs and securely stitch them together.
7. Attach the Arms: For a final, sturdy touch, tack the arms to the sides of the main pillow base in a few places with your needle and thread. This will prevent them from flopping around and create a secure, donut-like shape.

Your Beautiful DIY Journey

You’ve now learned several fantastic and straightforward methods for how to make a dog bed.

Whether you chose the no-sew project or tackled a zippered cover, you have created a custom piece of comfort that is filled with love. This is more than just a craft project; it’s a way to provide for your pet in a personal, meaningful way.

Don’t be afraid to keep experimenting. Try different fabrics, add a personalized appliqué of your dog’s name, or create a bed for every room in the house. Each one you make will improve your skills and give you more confidence.

The best part of this entire process will be the moment your dog discovers their new bed, gives it a few curious sniffs, turns around in a circle three times, and finally curls up with a happy sigh. That’s when you’ll know the effort was all worth it. Enjoy your creation and the many cozy naps it will bring your best friend.