How to make a pet stroller footrest

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one standard stroller (floor about 30 × 45 cm))

• Outer (canvas, oxford or another firm fabric) — about 110 cm wide × 160 cm (43 × 63 in)
• Non-slip fabric (for the bottom) — about 35 × 50 cm
• PP sheet or thick cardboard (core) — same size as the top, 1–2 pcs
• Foam, 1–2 cm thick — same size as the top, 1 pc
• Hook-and-loop tape, 2.5 cm — about 40 cm (straps and insert opening)
• Sewing thread

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 stroller footrest” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the floor width, floor depth, thickness (the gap depth) and fixing-strap length. Presets cover small, standard and large strollers. Untick the option if you do not want fixing straps. Stroller interiors vary by model, so measure yours and enter the real figures.
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 the stroller first
   Measure three things where the footrest will sit: the width, the depth, and the depth of the step (the thickness). Aim for the size that makes the floor exactly level. Too big and it will not fit; too small and it drops into the gap.
2. Trace the pattern
   Every piece is a straight rectangle, so you can rule the measurements straight onto the fabric without printing. The gusset is a long strip — if your fabric is not wide enough, cut it in 2–3 lengths and join them into one.
3. Cut the pieces
   One top, one bottom (non-slip fabric), one side gusset, and two fixing straps.
4. Cut the core and foam
   Cut the PP sheet (or cardboard) and the foam a little smaller than the top (to allow for the seams). For a heavier pet, stack two PP sheets.

4. Sewing

4-1. Join the gusset into a ring

1. If you cut the gusset in several lengths, first join them right sides together into one long strip.
2. Sew the two ends of the strip right sides together to make a ring.
3. Note the notches that fall at the four corners — you will match these to the corners of the top and bottom.

4-2. Attach the top to the gusset

1. Place the gusset ring and the top right sides together, matching the gusset notches to the four corners of the top.
2. Clip about 1 cm into the gusset at each corner so it turns cleanly.
3. Sew all the way round.

4-3. Attach the bottom (leave an opening)

1. Match the bottom (non-slip fabric) to the lower edge of the gusset the same way, right sides together.
2. Leave one side unsewn. That is the opening for the core — sew it shut and the core will not go in.
3. Clip the corners and sew all round except the opening.
4. Turn right side out through the opening and push the corners out.

4-4. Insert the core and close up

1. Slide the foam in against the top and the PP sheet (or cardboard) against the bottom, through the opening.
2. Work them fully into the corners and square up the shape.
3. Slipstitch the opening closed. If you want to remove the core for washing, sew hook-and-loop into the opening instead so it reopens.

4-5. Make and attach the fixing straps

1. Fold each strap in quarters and topstitch the edges.
2. Stitch the middle of each strap to the sides (or the front and back) of the bottom.
3. Add hook-and-loop to the strap ends and wrap them around the stroller frame. Skip this step if you are not using straps.

✏️ The one thing that matters most here is measuring the stroller. If the thickness does not match the step, the floor will not come level — too shallow and the footrest stands proud, too deep and a gap remains. If it sinks when your pet stands on it, stack two PP sheets to firm it up. This piece takes weight, so the firmness of the core decides how well it works.

5. Tips & variations

• Always use a non-slip bottom: a footrest that slides while the stroller is moving is worse than none. Non-slip fabric plus the fixing straps together keep it put.
• Sloped steps: on models where the front is deeper than the back, make the front thicker so the floor sits level — stack the core in steps to adjust.
• Make it washable: with a hook-and-loop opening you can pull the core out and wash just the cover. Handy for pets prone to accidents.
• Swap by season: a mesh or cooling top for summer, boa or fleece for winter — the same core is reused.
• Err on the snug side: cut it to the exact inner size or 5 mm smaller so it wedges in and stays put. Too large and it will not go in.