Free Dog Bed Patterns & Tips

The making and choosing of dog beds can be just as complex as a similar process for human beds. Some dogs, just like some people, need soft bedding, while others need firm, and while yet many others have different needs in between. TO help with your decision-making, here are some basic guidelines.

Measurements – Dogs need room to stretch out, so measure form the tip of their noses to the tip of their tails, and then even add a few more inches.

Type of Fabric - Waterproof and washable are keywords here. And for any type of orthopedic dog beds look for firm inner padding.

Shape of Bed – These beds are more than just rectangular shapes, as most human beds are. Dog beds and dog bed patterns come in kidney bean, round, rectangular, oval modified oval and trapezoidal shapes most often.

Patterns – If you are tracing an old bed or using a pattern to make a new bed, make sure to leave room for your seams while sewing. At least a half inch would be good. And along one side, some people insert a zipper so that the inside cushion can be removed and washed as needed. So consider if you want to leave room for a zipper, and include enough fabric, etc. with your purchase. Seek help from a local sewing store when choosing the inside cushioning material.

Some patterns have a connecting piece like around the edge, so take that into consideration, too. And sew fabric with right sides together until you get to the last edge, closing up with a nice slip stitch or using special binding edging, again seeking help form your local sewing store or online shop for help.

Free Dog Bed Patterns

Round Bed: http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com/round-dog-bed-patterns.html

Oval Bed: http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com/dog-bed-patterns-oval.html

Kidney Bean Shape Bed: http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com/dog-bed-patterns-kidney-bean-shape.html

Rectangular Bed: http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com/dog-bed-patterns-rectangular.html

Oval Bed: http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com/dog-bed-patterns-modified-oval.html

Trapezoid Bed: http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com/dog-bed-patterns-trapezoidal.html