How to make dog clothes (tank)

1. Materials & tools

Materials (small–medium dog)

• Knit fabric (jersey, interlock — something with stretch) — about 50 × 70 cm
• Ballpoint/stretch machine needle and stretch or zigzag stitch
• Optional: ribbing for the neckline and leg openings

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Pets” → “Dog clothes (tank)” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the chest girth, back length, neck and front-leg opening. Baste first and adjust to your dog.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Trace the cut line and seam line onto the wrong side of the fabric. Align the grain with the grainline.
2. Cut
   Cut the back panel and belly panel each on the fold (1 of each). Mark the two front-leg notches.
3. Finish the edges
   Zigzag or serge the edges so they don't fray.

4. Sewing

4-1. Baste and check the fit

1. First baste the side seams of the back and belly panels with a long stitch and try it on your dog.
2. If it's tight or loose, adjust at the side seam allowance.

4-2. Sew the sides

1. Place the back and belly panels right sides together and sew the sides, leaving the front-leg openings (between the notches) unsewn.

4-3. Finish the neck, leg openings and hem

1. Turn the neckline, front-leg openings and hem under and finish with a stretch stitch.
2. To use ribbing, join it into a loop and sew it to each opening.
3. Try it on again — if it fits, you're done.

5. Tips & variations

• Baste first, always: dog body shapes vary a lot; check before final stitching.
• Snug but comfy: knit should hug without restricting movement.
• Add a sleeve later: once the tank fits, you can add front-leg sleeves.