How to make a Dog Crate Cover! Waverize It!


Did you know that September is National Sewing Month? It's also Waverly's 90th anniversary! I love Waverly fabric, so when I was offered the opportunity to participate in a project for Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores using Waverly Home Decor fabric, of course, I jumped at the chance!

before and after photos; on the left, a large dog crate - on the right, same dog crate with a white/green/blue cover

(Disclaimer: I received complimentary supplies for this project, but the final creation as well as any stated opinion, are, as always, strictly my own. This post may contain affiliate links which were added to make it easier for you to find items. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). You are free to use the links or not - if you do, I thank you!)

The challenge was to use Waverly fabric to transform something in your life - and to think outside the box. Unique. Outside the box. Yikes. What does one do with fabric that isn't the typical fabric project?

I decided to devote my project to our dog, Riley. What a lucky pup he is! Riley is a 7-year-old miniature Australian shepherd. He was crate-trained as a puppy, and since then, has always preferred to sleep in his crate (or his "bed" as we call it). He doesn't like any sort of padding in the bottom of it - he'll fuss and scratch until it's all balled up in one side, then he squishes his body around it so that it doesn't touch him. You can't really hide a large crate, so there it is, in all it's glory, right in there in my living space. Maybe you can't hide it, but you can try to make it pretty. And that's what I've done as my project - made a dog crate cover!

I have to tell you - I have never made anything this large without a pattern. But I'm very pleased with the results - so as I always tell you - if I can do, anyone can do it!

To start, I measured the top, back, and two sides of the crate. Taking those dimensions, I added 3-4" to each to allow for adjustments and seam allowance - and I cut fabric pieces to fit each section. (I used pinking shears to prevent fraying.)

dog crate with fabric lying on the top

Next, I pressed each section to remove any wrinkles, and also pressed about a 1/2-3/4" hem along the bottom edges of the back and both sides. Once the hems were pressed, I stitched them into place.

white fabric with blue and green accents - photo shows hemmed edge

Now I was ready to fit the pieces onto the crate. I placed the top piece on the top of the crate (wrong side up), then pinned the sides and back into place. I made sure the hemmed part was even with the bottom of the crate (but not quite touching the floor), and the fabric hung smoothly from the top of the crate. I just kept making small adjustments until I had everything pinned the way I wanted it. Then I stitched all of the seams that I had just pinned. (The pins I used.)

wrong side of fabric with edges pinned together

I decided to just "frame" the door in the front. We do close the door, so I needed to be able to open and close it without removing the cover. I measured along the front top and sides, and cut strips to fit (adding a couple of inches for seam allowance). Then I pinned each piece into place, adjusting as needed - and stitched all the seams. I happened to have some trim on hand that matched the fabric perfectly, so I just tacked that into place around the front of the crate and the door.

NOTE: For the crate cover seams, you could also use Stitch Witchery if you don't have a sewing machine. The trim would probably need to be tacked on by hand.

dog crate with white/blue/green fabric cover

close-up of dog crate with crate cover in white/blue/green fabric

And now Riley has a little bedroom all his own. I think he likes it!

Australian shepherd dog with red. white, and blue bandanna lying inside a dog crate

Have you made something similar? Do you have any questions about how I made Riley's crate cover? Leave a comment or send me a snap!


Kim
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