What You'll Make and What You Need

A dog bed with sides is a rectangular cushion with raised edges that give your dog a place to rest their head and feel contained. You'll sew two fabric pieces together, stuff the sides with batting or foam, and create a removable cushion for the bottom. The whole project takes about three to four hours if you've sewn before, or five to six if you're new to a sewing machine.

Gather these materials before you start: two pieces of fabric (cotton canvas or upholstery fabric works well), 2 to 3 yards of batting or craft foam depending on bed size, thread that matches your fabric, a sewing machine, scissors, pins, a measuring tape, and a needle for hand-stitching the opening closed. You'll also need fiberfill or a pre-made cushion insert for the bottom of the bed. If you don't have a sewing machine, you can hand-stitch the entire bed, but it will take twice as long.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two identical fabric rectangles and sew three sides together with a ½-inch seam allowance, leaving one short end open for turning and stuffing.
  • Turn the bed right-side-out through the opening, press the seams flat, and hand-stitch the opening closed with a ladder stitch.
  • Insert batting or foam strips into the sides through a small opening you'll sew closed later, creating the raised edges your dog will lean against.
  • Make or insert a cushion for the bottom so your dog has a soft place to lie, separate from the stuffed sides.
  • Measure your dog from nose to tail while lying down, then add 6 to 12 inches to that length for the bed dimensions.

Measure Your Dog and Choose Fabric Size

Have your dog lie down in their normal sleeping position. Measure from the top of their head to the base of their tail, then add 6 to 12 inches—this is your bed length. Measure across their back at the widest point and add 4 to 8 inches for the width. A small dog (under 15 pounds) might be 24 inches long by 18 inches wide; a medium dog (15 to 50 pounds) might be 36 by 24 inches; a large dog (over 50 pounds) might be 48 by 30 inches or larger.

Choose a durable fabric like canvas, upholstery cotton, or denim. Avoid stretchy fabrics like jersey knit—they won't hold their shape when stuffed. Buy two pieces of fabric cut to your finished bed size. If your fabric comes off a bolt, have the store cut two identical rectangles. If you're cutting at home, use a ruler and chalk to mark straight lines, then cut slowly with sharp scissors or a rotary cutter.

Sew the Outer Shell Together

Place your two fabric rectangles with the right sides facing each other (the pretty sides touching). Pin all four edges. Using a ½-inch seam allowance, sew three complete sides on your machine: the two long sides and one short side. Leave the remaining short side completely open—this is where you'll turn the bed right-side-out and insert the batting.

Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to lock the thread. Sew slowly and keep the fabric edge aligned with the ½-inch mark on your presser foot. When you reach a corner, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot, rotate the fabric 90 degrees, lower the foot, and continue. This creates a sharp corner instead of a rounded one.

After sewing, trim the seam allowance at the corners diagonally, cutting away the excess fabric about ¼ inch from the stitching line. This prevents bulky corners when you turn the bed right-side-out. Do not trim the seam allowance on the open side—you'll need that fabric to fold inward when you close it later.

Turn the Bed Right-Side-Out and Press

Reach into the opening and grab the fabric at one corner from the inside. Pull that corner through the opening, then keep pulling the entire bed through until the right sides (the pretty sides) are now facing outward. Use a chopstick or the blunt end of a wooden spoon to push the corners out fully from the inside—poke gently so you don't poke through the fabric.

Lay the bed flat on your ironing board and press all the seams with a warm iron. Pay special attention to the three sewn sides and the open side. Press the open edges inward by ½ inch and crease them with the iron—this makes closing the opening much neater. Let the bed cool completely before moving on.

Insert Batting Into the Sides

Cut batting or craft foam into strips about 4 to 6 inches wide and as long as each side of your bed. For a 36-by-24-inch bed, you'll need two strips 36 inches long and two strips 24 inches long. If you're using craft foam, you can buy it pre-cut at fabric stores; if you're using batting, layer it two or three times and cut with scissors.

Open the opening of your bed slightly and slide one batting strip into the bottom of one long side, pushing it all the way to the corner. Slide another strip into the bottom of the other long side. Then insert strips into both short sides. The batting should sit in the seam allowance and between the two fabric layers, creating a firm edge that stands up.

Once all four sides are stuffed, hand-stitch the opening closed using a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch). Thread a needle and knot the end. Bring the needle up through the fold of fabric on one side of the opening, then across into the fold on the other side, then back across, creating a zigzag pattern. The stitches should be hidden inside the fold. Stitch the entire opening closed, then knot the thread on the inside and trim.

Add a Cushion for the Bottom

The stuffed sides are now complete, but your dog needs a soft place to lie inside. You can either sew a cushion cover and fill it with fiberfill, or insert a pre-made cushion pad. A pre-made cushion is faster: buy one that's about 1 to 2 inches smaller than your bed's interior dimensions so it fits inside without bunching.

If you're making a cushion cover, cut two fabric rectangles to fit inside your bed (about 1 to 2 inches smaller than the bed's interior on all sides). Sew three sides together with right sides facing, turn right-side-out, stuff with fiberfill to your desired firmness, and hand-stitch the opening closed. Place this cushion inside your finished bed. Your dog now has a comfortable, contained sleeping space with raised sides to lean against.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is sewing with too large a seam allowance, which makes the finished bed smaller than you measured for. Use the ½-inch mark on your presser foot as a guide and check it on scrap fabric first. Another mistake is not pressing the seams flat before stuffing—wrinkled seams will show through the finished bed and look unfinished.

Don't skip trimming the corner seam allowances. Bulky corners are hard to turn right-side-out and will create lumps in the finished bed. If you're hand-stitching the opening closed, don't pull the thread too tight or the opening will pucker. Use small, even stitches and pull just tight enough to close the gap.

Finally, don't overstuff the sides. The batting should create a firm edge, not a pillow-like bulge. If the sides feel too soft, your dog won't get the support they're looking for, and the bed will flatten quickly with use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wash the dog bed after I sew it?

Yes, but first check your fabric care label. Most canvas and upholstery cotton can be machine-washed in cold water on a gentle cycle. If you used craft foam, hand-wash only. If your cushion insert is removable, take it out before washing. Air-dry the bed flat or hang it to dry—don't use a dryer, as heat can damage the batting.

What if I don't have a sewing machine?

You can hand-stitch the entire bed using a running stitch or backstitch. It will take about twice as long as machine-sewing, but the result is the same. Use a needle and thread that match your fabric, and make stitches about ¼ inch apart. Hand-stitching is actually easier for the ladder stitch that closes the opening, so you may find that part faster than on a machine.

How do I make the sides taller or shorter?

The height of the sides depends on how much batting you insert. Use thicker batting or stack more layers for taller sides, or use thinner batting for shorter sides. You can also adjust the width of the batting strips—wider strips create taller sides, narrower strips create shorter sides.

Can I add a zipper so the cushion is removable?

Yes. Before sewing the opening closed, insert a zipper into the opening using a zipper foot on your sewing machine. This lets you remove the bottom cushion for washing without opening the entire bed. Zipper installation takes extra time and practice, so try a basic bed first if you're new to sewing.

What size bed should I make for a puppy?

Make the bed based on your puppy's current size, not their adult size. Puppies grow quickly, so a bed that fits now will be too small in a few months. Plan to make a new bed as your puppy grows, or make a larger bed now and accept that it will be oversized for the first few months.