With all the DIYs we do around here, my little fur-baby will be happy with our latest project that’s just for him, a cozy, new removable cover for his dog bed.
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How to Make a Dog Bed Cover that is Removable
Before we brought our puppy Ollie home for the first time, I went to our local pet store to buy all the necessities.
When I asked the shop owner about a dog bed, she instantly said to hold off until he’s grown. “The puppy will destroy it with their chewing and accidents so save your money and just use old towels for the time being.” So I took her advice and held off buying a brand new dog bed and I’m sure glad I did!
Instead, I used this fabric covered duvet ottoman I had made years ago. The duvet was ridiculously thick and so I never used it as an actual blanket. And so it worked perfectly as a DIY dog bed EXCEPT the cover was not removable. Now that my puppy is 8 months old, it’s time to give him something more permanent.
Truthfully, I didn’t even realize how stinky his dog bed was until I went to take it apart!
Thank goodness his dog bed cover will now be removable making it easy and quick to remove and throw in the laundry. Not to mention the tears in the fabric as well! The fabric was not nearly as durable as it needed to be.
Boy, that shop owner really knew what she was talking about.
Partnering with Canvas Etc, I’m using a durable 10oz 100% cotton canvas fabric for this DIY doggy bed cover. It’s the same fabric we used to make this hanging chair hammock and these portable hanging laundry bags. It’s light enough that it’s easy to sew but durable enough to withstand my dog’s nails.
Materials Needed for the DIY Dog Bed Cover:
- Existing dog bed (or use thick Foam or something similar for making your own dog bed)
- 100% cotton canvas, 10oz in natural from Canvas Etc
- 100% nylon coil zipper, length as needed (in my case, I used a 60” long duvet zipper and cut it to the length I needed)
- Fabric scissors (just picked up these scissors and I’m loving them!)
- Sewing machine and matching thread
- Measuring tape
How To Make a Removable Dog Bed Cover:
If you’re replacing the cover on an existing dog bed, you can use it as a pattern for making the new cover. As is the case with my dog’s bed, I’ve removed the old cover and cut it along the seams revealing the patterns and sizes.
Since our dog bed is made up of a large queen size duvet folded in half and rolled, I’m measuring the length, width and depth of the bed to make a new cover for it.
If your dog bed cover is rectangular shaped like ours, cut one large rectangular shape for the body of the bed and two smaller rectangular shapes for the sides. The length of the large rectangle must match the perimeter of the smaller rectangle (minus ½” seam allowance on all sides).
Sewing the Zipper
Fold the large rectangular piece in half widthwise, with RIGHT sides together and sew the edges together about 1-2” at either end.
This leaves a large gap opening for the zipper to be sewn into making the dog bed cover removable. Press the seam allowance open and continue pressing the allowance in by ½” along the full length.
Working one side of the zipper at a time, align the edge of the zipper tape with the edge of the seam allowance along the gap opening. Stitch them together with a 1/4″ stitch.
Once, both sides of the zipper are stitched, pin it in place along both sides with the folded edge meeting in the middle to cover the zipper.
At the sewing machine, open the zipper and stitch through all layers along both sides of the zipper. Be sure to back stitch at the start and end of all stitches to secure.
If your zipper is too long (as was mine), stitch through the coil at the length you need. Then cut the long end off of the zipper and cover the cut end of the zipper with a piece of scrap canvas.
Assembling the Dog Bed Cover
Once the zipper is in place, sew the smaller rectangular shapes to the sides of the dog bed with RIGHT sides together. Pivot 90 degrees at all 4 corners as you’re sewing and continue until the sides are sewn on.
Turn the dog bed cover right side out and stuff the dog bed inside. The larger the opening the easier it’ll be to stuff it inside.
No sooner did I have the duvet inside the dog bed cover when Ollie plopped himself right on top of his new, comfy bed. It’s safe to say, I think he likes it:)
More DIY sewing projects:
We’ve got plenty of sewing projects with free printable pdf sewing patterns. Take a look at these DIYs for your home all sewn using 100% cotton canvas:
- Storage ottoman
- Women’s cross back apron
- Half apron
- Planter covers
- Outdoor throw pillows
- Fabric storage cubes
Like it? Pin it for later!
DIY Removable Dog Bed Cover
Materials
- Existing dog bed or use thick Foam or something similar for making your own dog bed
- 100% Cotton canvas 10oz in natural from Canvas Etc
- 100% Nylon coil zipper length as needed (in my case, I used a 60” long duvet zipper and cut it to the length I needed)
- Fabric scissors
- Sewing machine and matching thread
- Measuring tape
Instructions
- If your dog bed cover is rectangular shaped like ours, cut one large rectangular shape for the body of the bed and two smaller rectangular shapes for the sides. The length of the large rectangle must match the perimeter of the smaller rectangle (minus ½” seam allowance on all sides).
Sewing the Zipper
- Fold the large rectangular piece in half widthwise, with RIGHT sides together and sew the edges together about 1-2” at either end.
- This leaves a large gap opening for the zipper to be sewn into making the dog bed cover removable. Press the seam allowance open and continue pressing the allowance in by ½” along the full length.
- Working one side of the zipper at a time, align the edge of the zipper tape with the edge of the seam allowance along the gap opening. Stitch them together with a 1/4″ stitch.
- Once, both sides of the zipper are stitched, pin it in place along both sides with the folded edge meeting in the middle to cover the zipper.
- At the sewing machine, open the zipper and stitch through all layers along both sides of the zipper.
Assembling the Dog Bed Cover
- Once the zipper is in place, sew the smaller rectangular shapes to the sides of the dog bed with RIGHT sides together. Pivot 90 degrees at all 4 corners as you’re sewing and continue until the sides are sewn on.
- Turn the dog bed cover right side out and stuff the dog bed inside. The larger the opening the easier it’ll be to stuff it inside.