How to make a pet raincoat

1. Materials & tools

Materials (medium dog)

• Main fabric (water-repellent fabric, laminate or nylon) — about 110 cm wide × 80 cm (44 × 31 in)
• Lining fabric (mesh or light cotton), if lining
• Hook-and-loop — 2.5 cm (1 in) wide × 30 cm (12 in)
• Optional: reflective tape for night walks

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 raincoat” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter back length, chest, neck, ease, strap length and cut width. Presets cover small, medium and large dogs.
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. Measure your dog
   Measure the back from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, the chest at its widest, and the neck where the collar sits. Measure standing.
2. Trace the pattern
   Trace the cape (center back on the fold) and the straps.
3. Cut
   Cut one cape and two straps. Use clips rather than pins on laminate.

4. Sewing

4-1. Make the straps

1. Fold each strap in quarters lengthwise, press and topstitch both edges.
2. Sew hook to one end and loop to the underside of the other, making the loop side long so the length adjusts.
3. Make two — one for the neck and one for the belly.

4-2. Finish the edges

1. For a single layer, turn the edges under twice and stitch. Ease the curves in as you fold, or bind them with bias tape.
2. If lining it, sew main and lining right sides together, leave a gap, turn and topstitch.

4-3. Attach the straps

1. Stitch the neck strap at the sides near the neck, positioned to fasten under the throat.
2. Stitch the belly strap at the sides around the middle.
3. Stitch each one as a rectangle with a cross — a dog pulls at these constantly.
4. Fit the cape to the dog and check the positions before sewing them down.

4-4. Reflective tape (optional)

1. Stitch reflective tape along the back or the hem for visibility in the dark.

✏️ Laminated and coated fabric keep every needle hole. There is no unpicking, so fit the cape to the dog and mark the strap positions before you sew. Clips, not pins.

5. Tips & variations

• Do not reduce the ease: it goes on over a coat of fur, so the preset ease is not generous — it is necessary.
• Keep the hem short: too long and it tangles in the back legs. To the base of the tail is enough.
• Skip the hood: dogs dislike having their ears covered. Covering the neck is as far as most will accept.