Turn an Old Sweater Into a No-Sew Dog Sweater
Give an old sweater new life with this simple, no-sew tutorial. All you need is a pair of scissors (and a chilly dog).
Keep your pup warm this winter without breaking the bank. This easy upcycling project takes less than 10 minutes.
Allie Holcomb King
What You'll Need
- an old sweater (see step 1)
- scissors or fabric shears
- a permanent marker
Select Sweater
Allie Holcomb King
The arms of the sweater need to be about the size of your dog's midsection. If your old sweaters aren’t a fit, find a sweater at a local thrift store. My dog weighs about 30 pounds, so I bought a thrift store sweater sized 3XL.
Cut Off Sleeve
Allie Holcomb King
Allie Holcomb King
Use scissors to cut one arm off just past the shoulder seam, carefully following the curve.
Size to Dog
Allie Holcomb King
Allie Holcomb King
Place the sleeve over your dog to plan your cuts according to your dog’s build. Fold over the wrist on the sleeve at your dog’s neckline to mark the cut. Be sure to leave enough fabric to create a small, fold-over collar. Use a permanent marker to indicate where the two front leg holes should go. Note: The vertical seam on the sleeve should run down the middle of your dog’s chest. This means the longer portion of the sweater will cover your dog’s back, while the shorter portion will cover their chest/underside. Be sure to expose enough of their belly for clean bathroom breaks.
Create Collar
Allie Holcomb King
Allie Holcomb King
Cut off the wrist, using your fold as an indicator. Then, fold your freshly-cut fabric over to create a small collar.
Cut Leg Holes
Allie Holcomb King
Allie Holcomb King
Allie Holcomb King
Allie Holcomb King
Lay the sweater on a flat surface, belly-side up. Find your leg hole markings, and make a small cut for each one using fabric scissors. Pinch the fabric to create clean-lined cuts. Then, insert your scissors into the small cuts to make them larger, accommodating your dog’s front legs.
Trim
Allie Holcomb King
Try your masterpiece on your dog, and make any adjustments needed. Trim the edges to get a clean look.
Ogle Over Your BFF
Allie Holcomb King
Put your finished sweater on your pup, and tell them how darling they look in their new duds.
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