Dog vest harness patterns
This is a simple pattern to make a vest for dogs that also has the function of harness.
If we want to use it as a dog harness too we have to sew two rings in the middle of the back strip to attach the leash.
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If you prefer, buy this pattern from my Etsy shop. 
Some picture of Tara wearing her vest
This pattern is inspired by the design of the image below.
This vest is made with one piece pattern. For a better finish sew one strip along all the vest’s edge. You can use a different fabric or color to make it more funny.
FABRICS:
To make this vest I have used fabric from the cushion cover Elvilda bought at Ikea that I liked pretty much. For the lining, the binding and the center strip I have used gray suedette (imitation suede).
Below, you will see a preview of the vest pattern. The pattern is the right side on gray.
Remember to cut the pattern with the fabric folded in half, so when unfold the fabric will get the complete piece. The marked boxes at the end of the strips are for Velcro tape.
Strips cross around chest and neck to adjust perfectly to the dog’s body. If you want to add a lining to the vest have to cut 2 complete pieces: one for the outer fabric and second for the lining. Use the fine fabric in summer or a warm fur lining for winter days as shown in photo below.
HOW TO CUT THE PATTERNS:
You have to cut out the pattern with the fabric folded in half to get the whole piece.
Cut 3 equal pieces, one from the outer fabric, one from the linning and one more from the interfacing to make the garment more rigid.
See the image below:
You can sew the vest in two ways, here I will explain how to do it first with binding as I have done and also without binding.
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Buy this pattern in my shop using PayPal.
If you prefer, buy this pattern from my Etsy shop.
HOW TO SEW THE VEST STEP BY STEP:
WAY 1
- First cut out a fabric strip that goes in the center outer fabric with the two D-rings for the leash.
- Place a piece of fusible adhesive tape for hems with the same large in the back side of the folded strip. But not iron yet!
- Pass two D-rings through the strip.
- Place the strip with the D-rings in the center of the outer fabric piece as you can see in the image below and iron well.
- Place the 3 fabric pieces this way: first gray fabric with right side down, then cover with the interfacing fabric and finally place above outside fabric with right side up, as you can see in the image below. Namely outer fabric and lining fabric with wrong sides together and the interfacing in between.
- Now place the binding tape all around the raw edge, first baste to fix and then sew over across the edge.
- Finally topstitch all around the edge’s strip and just above and below the D-rings as shown in the image below.
- Sew the hoop and loop tape (Velcro).
Fold the strip like the image below (as wide as the inside of the D- ring) and iron to make it flat and well folded.
And you’re done !!
HOW TO SEW THE VEST STEP BY STEP:
WAY 2
You can sew the vest harness by this way also. Follow exactly the same steps shown above from point 1 to point 4.
- First cut out a fabric strip that goes in the center outer fabric with the two D-rings for the leash.
- Place a piece of fusible adhesive tape for hems with the same large in the back side of the folded strip. But not iron yet!
- Pass two D- rings through the strip.
- Place the strip with the D-rings in the center of the outer fabric piece as you can see in the image below and iron well.
- Topstitch all around the edge’s strip and just above and below the D-rings as shown in the image below.
- Now place the lining piece (in gray) over the outer fabric piece (striped) with right sides facing together.
- Finally place the interfacing piece (in white) over the gray piece as seen in the image below.
- Now sew a hem all around the vest edge leaving a opening for turning.
- Turn the garment right side out and topstitch machine or hand-stitch the opening.
- Iron the garment and optionally topstitch all the edge.
- Sew the hoop and loop tape (Velcro).
Fold the strip like the image below (as wide as the inside of the D- ring) and iron to make it flat and well folded.
And you’re done !!
PURCHASE THIS PREMIUM PATTERN BELOW:
Please note that the largest patterns are split into 2 or more pages,so you have to print, cut out and join them together (with glue or tape) to get the entire pattern.
Buy this pattern in my shop using PayPal.
If you prefer, buy this pattern from my Etsy shop.
Important: please read this before printing the patterns:
How to measure your dog for clothing
Dog clothing sizing chart
Tips for printing patterns
40 Comments
I love your patterns. I am wondering if you could possibly make some in XXS and translate some of the spanish patterns into english. I like the pant pattern and the panties one. Your doing an amazing job!
Thank you!!!
These are wonderful and hope to get some of then done. I have four Yorkies and two Siamese cats.
Nan
Can you tell me where I can find the hardware (The D metal piece)for the harness? once I have completed it.
I'm so excited that I have found pattern! We have a dashhound and have tried other harnesses but, they move alot and seem uncomfortable.Our dashy has Degenerative Disc Disease and has been operated on. We are hoping this will be a better chioce of harness for him. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Thank you!!
try a sailing supply store, or go to a thrift store and buy some old purses
Been wanting a pattern for this ad my husband is traing his shepard for seeing eye dog .this just perfect for what is needed. Thank you
This pattern is simple, quick, and easy! I think I have made 7 or 8 in the last 2 days for a charity event. Thanks!
I just want to say THANK YOU for the pattern. I do not sew and made 3 of these pretty quick and easy. Got my d-rings off an old pocketbook. I love them and my little Dixie does to takes the strain off her neck when we go out. I also made one for my daughters dog which has heart problems and often swells from fluid making a harness impossible to wear cause if she has it on when she takes on fluid weight then you have to cut it off. This will be really simple to get on her and off. Thanks again for the free pattern.
Bobbie
so how does it attach? velco?
Yes, with Velcro.
I made the pattern up – joined the under straps and made the opening on his back for my Lhasa apso, it's brilliant.
thank you again for this pattern
Elaine in UK
My question how wide shall I make the strip for the D ring
I am illiterate when it comes to sewing so I need a pattern, I am going to tackle this I love this pattern
thank you for the free pattern you are AWSOME thanks again
SC
TNAK YOU!
So simple, and I get SO many compliments. Very difficult to find simple harness vests, most are complicated, bulky, or otherwise impractical. Even my Mom's fussy Pom will wear this vest.
*I substituted snaps for the velcro, and added a "handle," making it easier to get a grip on my chihuahua…
THANK you again!
Why are two rings required?
two rings better than one…I guess for more resistance and to avoid pulls with the leash
Joann fabric has d-rings for sale.
can you email me the pattern for the xsmall and small vest my computer will not let me download pdf and i need the patern to make a birthday present for little sis shes four and wants a vest for her puppy my email is galbraith.sarah12@gmail.com
ive got my computer to open the file for the pattern now im just un shure what tpye of fabric you would use and is there a batting between the two layers of fabric
Thank you so much & for making pattern free! I just whipped up one for my Chihuahua X out of an old pair of cargo pants of mine. Used studs from the pants rather than velcro to fasten & fits & looks great!
ribbonsandbowsonmy.com has D rings. can order in lots of 6 or bigger pkg.
If you download Adobe it will then print in PDF. I had the same problem.
Anonymous
Thank you for the inspiration! I made a harness for my dog​​ I invite you to my blog!
Thank you for the time, effort, and thought that you so kindly shared this wonderful garment with us giving us the
benefit of all you'r hard work. (once again many thanks )
my extra lil chiwie loves his new outfits thank you so much.
Thank you, thank you and thank you again? I had made this harness for my Dashie last summer. It worked out so well for him that I'm going to make one for our new dog!! 🙂 Thanks again for sharing!
Just what I was looking for. Thanks for the simple pattern. I'm sure my "Wilbur" will like it much better than the stiff nylon harness he has.
Thank u so very much for taking the time to help all of us. i am on a fixed income because i am a 64year old disabled nurse. i can't afford to spend money on patterns and such. Then, here you are, willing to sacrifice your time and talent for my doggies. i appreciate you more than u know. May God bless you always and in all ways.
Thank you for sharing.
What should i use to hold the D rings?
Hi!
Thank you so much for your patterns! I made a hybrid of this harness and the Christmas dress' skirt to make a harness dress … and it's adorable!
Photo
I sewed a nylon mesh in between the two layers of fabric to give it extra strength, I would recommend this to people wanting to use this as a walking harness. The first one with just fabric does not spread the force of a pulling dog well, it ends up all around their neck – the mesh avoids this.
nylon mesh is great, strong and durable.
I found mine at Michaels and Hobby Lobby
Could you make the pattern in the next two larger sizes? That would be awesome 🙂
HI here can you tell me what kinds of material you used for this please?
Most Hardware stores
Thank you so much, my mini-pin will be so happy since he gets cold easy. plus he is due a great new harness jacket. Thanks again, Bless you for sharing
I also have a Coton de Tulear – what size pattern do you use for Tara? I have used your nappy (panties) pattern, but used poppers as the velcro was not strong enough and Poppy kept taking it off! I also found that whichever size (can't remember which one I used) I used was too big hence my question about which size you use for Tara as it is likely this one will fit my poppy!
Thanks for making all these patterns – while I have not made many they have been brilliant and will be making some more for this winter. Having a white dog in an English winter and taking her for walks – I really need a coat that covers as much of her as we can so I don't have to bath her every time we take her for a walk!
Thank you for all your wonderful patterns 🙂
i can’t wait to try it. thank you for sharing
I can’t wait to start. Thank you for sharing.