By request, I’m posting an explanation of how to make a dog sleeping bag similar to the one Mr. Gonzo Bunny-Ears and Chick have been modeling over the past few weeks, especially here.
The final dimensions of our bag are 35 inches deep by 31 inches wide. I wanted a bag that was small enough to be cozy but big enough that Chick could get in and turn fully around so his face could point outward, and this seemed like the right size. Turns out it’s the perfect size for Chick, but also the perfect size for 50 pound Chick and 35 pound Gonzo.
The dimensions of the fabric that I’ve listed are estimates – I don’t think I measured when I first put this bag together, and if I did, I definitely didn’t write the measurements down.
I sewed this using a regular low-end sewing machine, though it would have been much easier (read: fewer jams) if I had a heavy-duty machine. It would also be possible to sew this by hand, of course, though it would take more time and patience.
A final note: I am not an experienced seamstress and in fact I have only sewn a few things in my life, which explains the lack of actual sewing terminology below. Hopefully this is easy to follow anyway.
MATERIALS:
Red fleece. 40”x70”. I used the most heavy-duty fleece I could find.
Beige fleece. 40×70”. For the inside of the bag, I opted for the kind of fleece that resembles lambsfleece.
Quilt filling or egg crate mattress topper: 36×30”. I used quilt filler and actually had to sew it to the fleece, but if I did it again I would use the egg crate mattress pad and simply make a pouch for it just like the instructions below show.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Place red fleece and beige fleece on top of each other with the right sides facing. Sew around the to long sides and one short side using a double straight stitch, about an inch in from the edges.
Turn right side out, so the seams are hidden. Place the foam or filler on top of the fleece, arranging it about two inches from the unsewn edge. Mark the fabric about 1-2 inches from the other side of the foam or filler, and sew with a double straight stitch. Slide the foam or filler in to the slot you have made for it.
Fold the sleeping so that the short sides are aligned, with the inside out (red fabric should be on the inside). Sew with a double-straight stitch or hand-finish to bind the two edges together.
Turn your bag inside out, and enjoy!!
Love and a Six-Foot Leash 
Thanks for the instructions! I am totally going to try to make this for my pups!
This is wonderful. I have emailed the instructions to my seamstress sister in SD. I personally still have my sewing repair box from junior high – needless to say, I don’t sew :). Thanks you. It will be peed on so I will ask her to be sure it is washable!
If I could sew I would make one of these 🙂 It looks great.
Something I thought of while waiting for tutorial was you child put a margin when you sew inner to outer. I’f tou left a border essentially of the outer fabrics when you went to sew final blocks you should only have to sew through 2 layers. Right? My brain may be skipping a step. Anyway well done, yet another cute pic too
Anna
http://Www.akginspiration.com
Adorable! Looks like there is a sleeping bag in Koly & Fe’s future! Thanks for sharing 🙂
They look like two scoops of vanilla ice cream in a big yummy waffle cone!
Awesome. Now please leave instructions on how to get lazy to make us one. Blah blah blah, she is always busy
Benny & Lily
I love your instructional diagrams. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: you are a woman of many talents!
I’ve said this before, too: they are so darn cute together! Thanks for yet another great post.
Considering Molly has destroyed her old bed I guess I will just have to make her a sleeping bag- totally makes sense right? Ha, great tutorial! I hope she will snuggle inside like Sir Chick and Bunny Ears.
I actually JUST took my 3 year old sewing machine out of its box for the very first time this week and was looking for a project to tackle. I think a sleeping bag would be perfect for Leche! Thanks for posting!
How do you keep it open have you stiffened the fabric?
I really can’t find a good wooly material to go in the middle, I found some Sherpa fleece but it easily seperates and shreds and I dont want my dog to get tangled in it. Sorry more questions but what material did you use?
So it appears the padding is just on one side. Does this roll up or stuff in a stuff sac well?
Am definitely going to start making some of these. I make outfits of all kinds for sale for the pups and this will be a great addition to my line. I am semi-retired and my husband is retired. We foster for Coast 2Coast Dachshund Rescue and am making all these things to help pay for supplies we need for the fosters and so we can donate to help take care of other pups. This will be a well liked item and have orders for some already. Love to make outfits for all the pups. Thank you so much for the patterns.
I’ve just found this blog…LOVE IT!!!!
Unfortunately, I am the most ‘non-creative’ person I know…However!!!
I can’t wait to make my 2 little guys (and my sons pup) one of these double sleeping bags…
I’m going to buy the materials tomorrow!!
My pups thank you for sharing this!! 😊
Is it machine washable?
I found your blog while watching Jurassic World. Poor T Rex! Our little oldies will love this, many thanks, ma Wilson.
I am obviously missing something here…I have read this and re-read it about 3 times, and I have NO CLUE how to do this! and I’m an experienced quilter!! I just keep thinking, “HUH??” but your two dogs look just like my Lily so I’m going to figure this out if it kills me (it just might).
I don’t understand sewing it in the middle with right edges out. Then you slide the egg crate where if you just have sewn your side in half then you invert to red on the side at the beginning you turned it right side out. I just don’t understand the stitching in the middle you can’t access it if you stitched it closed. I’m confused????