Shannon Fabrics Blog

How to Make a Pet Coat Using Cuddle® Minky Fabrics (& Giveaway)

Written by Reen Wilcoxson, Embroidery Garden | Oct 7, 2021 4:02:07 PM

Cuddle® minky fabric isn’t just for us humans — our pets love the warm and cozy feeling, too!

Hi, I'm Reen, a Shannon Fabrics Brand Ambassador and owner of Embroidery Garden, and I created this dog coat sewing pattern to fit our miniature 9.5-pound dachshund sisters! It took some adjusting to get the fit I wanted for their long bodies and deep chests.

See Related: How to Make a Puppy Spa Robe with Cuddle® Minky and Waffle Terry Cloth Fabric

I chose Shannon Fabrics Luxe Cuddle® Hide Cardinal for the outer coat, Cuddle® 3 Snow for the lining and Luxe Cuddle® Dazzle Hide in Snow/Silver for the collar. I love the shiny silver flecks in the Dazzle fabrics (and the sparkle is perfect for the holidays).

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED: Shannon Fabrics has partnered with Embroidery Garden to give away a two-yard Cuddle® cut to FOUR lucky winners! All you have to do is follow both Shannon Fabrics on Facebook and Instagram and Embroidery Garden on Facebook and Instagram (and keep a look out for the giveaway post for more details!). 

To recreate the pattern, tape four sheets of 8 1/2" by 11" white printer paper together. Draw two-inch squares across it (the areas with diagonal lines are areas that did not end up being two inches). Draw the coat and collar patterns using the photo as a guide and cut them out of the paper.

Fabrics & Supplies for Making a Pet Coat 

Here are the supplies you’ll need and some tips for working with Cuddle® fabrics: 

  • 1 piece of Luxe Cuddle® Hide Cardinal - 18” high x 21” wide
  • 1 piece of Cuddle® Snow - 18” high x 21” wide
  • 2 pieces of Luxe Cuddle® Dazzle Hide in Snow/Silver - 5” high x 11” long
  • 3 snap sets (size 20) and tools to install or Velcro (hook and look fastener)
  • 4 small pieces of medium interfacing (the interfacing will stabilize the snaps)
  • Stiletto
  • Micro serrated scissors will make cutting the fabrics easier
  • Polyester sewing thread
  • Flat flower head pins to hold the fabrics together during sewing
  • Walking or dual feed foot for your machine is very helpful
  • 90/14 stretch needle
  • Pattern weights (optional)
  • Fabric clips (optional)

Tips for Making a Cuddle® Pet Coat

  • Lengthen your straight stitch to 3.0 mm
  • Use a 3/8-inch seam when stitching the coat together
  • A stiletto will help guide fabrics under the machine foot when sewing and aid in fluffing the fibers from the seams when finished

How to Make a Cuddle® Pet Coat

You will need to cut one coat for the outer piece, one coat for the lining and two collar pieces. Note the collar pattern piece is shown on the fold. To cut the lining and the outer coat pieces, lay the fabrics right sides together with the nap going downward.

Place your paper coat pattern on top of the fabrics and cut it out through both layers. I like to use pattern weights instead of pins to hold the pattern in place. Place the two fabric pieces for the collar right sides together, place your paper collar pattern on top, and cut out the collar. Mark the center front on the lining piece of the coat.

Stitch the collar together along the curved edge only. Snip into the curve all around without cutting into the stitching. This will allow the collar to round out nicely when turned.

Turn the collar so the wrong sides are together. Use the stiletto to gently brush the fibers from the seam. Baste the straight edge of the collar together near the edge and mark the center.

Pin the lining and coat together all around except for the neck area. Space your pins close together.

With right sides together, line the center of the collar up with the center front of the lining that you previously marked. Pin the collar to the lining matching the edges. Baste the collar to the lining near the edges.

Pin the neck area together leaving four inches open in the center. Stitch around the coat, backstitching at the beginning and end leaving the four inches open at the center of the neckline. This will give you an opening to turn the coat to the right side when finished.

Snip into all the curves being careful not to cut the stitching. Clip the corners diagonally to reduce bulk in them.

Turn the coat to the right side through the opening. Push out the corners and round out the curves. Use the stiletto to gently lift the fibers out of the seam around the coat.

The opening ends up under the collar.

If you’re using snaps, insert small pieces of interfacing into the four corners to stabilize the snaps. Turn the raw edge in and hand stitch the opening closed. The collar folds down over the coat.

It’s time to see how the coat fits your pooch, and to see where you need to install the snaps or stitch on the Velcro! 

I chose to use snaps to secure the coats around the dogs — one snap at the neck and two for underneath.

By changing up the colors and textures of Cuddle® that you use, you can create an entire year-round wardrobe for your pets.

You can follow Embroidery Garden on Facebook and Instagram to see more projects I have stitched using Cuddle® fabrics.

—RW

If you have any questions about Cuddle® minky plush fabrics or any of our Cuddle® Kits, feel free to contact our friendly, no-pressure customer service team at 866-624-5252.

Ready to start creating with Cuddle® minky fabric? Use our store locator to find a selection of Cuddle® minky fabric online or near you.