How to make a pet bed

1. Materials & tools

Materials (cat / small dog)

• Main fabric (fleece, boa or quilted cotton) — about 110 cm wide × 100 cm (44 × 39 in)
• Toy stuffing — 400–800 g (14–28 oz) depending on size
• Optional: non-slip fabric for the base

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” → “Pet bed” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the inner diameter, bolster height and bolster thickness. Presets cover cat/small dog, medium and large.
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 base (a circle) and the bolster (a long strip). Trace the circle accurately.
2. Cut
   Cut two base circles and two bolster strips (join them if your fabric is not long enough).
3. Finish the edges
   Fleece does not fray. Zigzag anything that does.

4. Sewing

4-1. Make the bolster

1. Sew the bolster strips together at their short ends to make one long loop.
2. Fold it in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew the long edge, leaving a gap for stuffing.
3. Turn it right side out.

4-2. Make the base

1. Sew the two base circles right sides together, leaving a gap. Turn and close the gap.
2. For extra comfort, quilt a layer of batting between them.

4-3. Attach the bolster

1. Pin the raw lower edge of the bolster around the edge of the base, matching at four points first.
2. Sew all the way around.

4-4. Stuff and close

1. Push stuffing into the bolster a little at a time, working around the ring.
2. Fill it firmly enough to hold its shape — an under-stuffed bolster collapses and the bed becomes a mat.
3. Close the stuffing gap with ladder stitch.

✏️ Stuff the bolster in small handfuls, working right around the ring rather than filling one section at a time. Fill one part fully and the stuffing packs solid there while the far side stays empty.

5. Tips & variations

• Make it washable: pet beds need washing often. Washable fabric and washable stuffing, and a separate cover if you can manage it.
• Non-slip base: stops the bed skating across a wooden floor when the dog gets in.
• Size it generously: measure the animal curled up and add a good margin — they spread out more than you expect.