How to choose and sew your own cat clothes

Hairless breeds come to the defense of cat fashion, seeking warmth in the depths of the apartment and on the owner’s lap. Clothing for cats is not just a whim of the owner, but a real necessity. To prevent your pet from spending his life searching for warmth, you can sew him a comfortable suit that protects him from the hardships of winter.

DIY cat clothes

What to make for your pet

Cat fashion is different from human trends. It is not beauty that should come to the fore, but the convenience of the outfit. And only after ensuring the animal’s comfort can we proceed to beauty care.

First of all, clothes should be comfortable

When sewing clothes for cats, you need to build on three basic requirements:

• quality. The outfit should be as natural as possible. It is better not to use synthetic fabrics and other dubious products for sewing;
• simplicity. The costume should not consist of a dozen parts in which the animal will become entangled;
• comfort. Even in overalls, the cat remains a predator that needs to hunt, run and jump. The outfit should not hinder the movements of the fashionista.

When choosing an outfit for a cat, the owner should pay attention to the most popular items of the tailed wardrobe.

Table 1. Types of clothing for cats

As a rule, cats do not need hats or shoes. In addition, it will take a long time to accustom them to such outfits.

Why does a cat need clothes?

Street and many purebred cats have thick fur with an undercoat that keeps them warm even during winter walks. However, there are breeds with a modest coat or no coat at all. As a rule, these are elite hybrid cats whose ancestors lived in Southeast Asia or on the African continent.

Their natural habitats are characterized by hot weather and the absence of winter. In such a climate, individuals with short hair with virtually no undercoat survived better. In addition to natural selection, these cats were worked on by breeders who, through crossing, developed hairless breeds such as the Sphynx.

These exotic animals are also in demand in Russia. Once in our cool climate, hairless cats feel cold and can catch a cold, so owners should take care of warm clothes for them. A jumpsuit or other type of clothing will keep your cat healthy and help her feel comfortable in any weather.

Taking measurements from the model

To sew cat clothes, you should take individual measurements from the model, which will allow you to draw an accurate pattern. It is not recommended to use universal templates, since even animals of the same breed can differ in size.

Basic measurements for sewing clothes for a cat

For almost any outfit you only need three measurements. Armed with tape, fix the cat in a standing position and take the following measurements:

• neck girth . The circumference of the neck is measured at its thickest point - at the base. It is advisable for the cat to stand straight at this moment;
• back length . This length is measured from the base of the neck to the root of the tail. To do this, apply the tape along the body, avoiding its bends if possible;
• chest girth . The measurement is taken around the body, placing a meter under the animal's front paws.

Some outfits will require additional measurements. For example, determine the distance between the front and rear legs or the “waist” circumference.

How to take measurements from a cat

The obtained values ​​are transferred to paper, entering them into the pattern. When the pattern is ready, it is applied to the animal and adjustments are made so as not to redo the finished outfit later. You can read below about what measurements are needed when sewing clothes for cats.

Taking measurements from a cat

Preparing for work

Before you begin, you should decide on the purpose of the pet costume, the frequency of its use and design. Any homemade clothing for cats must include:

comfort: when worn, the pet is comfortable in the outfit, its movements are not constrained; quality: when making clothes for a cat with your own hands, you need to pay attention to non-artificial materials. Only inserts or trim made of synthetics are allowed

The reverse side of clothing for cats should be completely natural to avoid allergic reactions; simplicity: simple cut of clothes ─ a minimum of seams and costume items; practicality: clothes for frequent wear should not lose their appearance after cleaning and washing.

Material selection

You need to decide whether the cat's clothing will be sewn or knitted. In the first case, fabrics, accessories, and finishing are selected. In the second ─ suitable yarn.

Choosing the material for your pet's clothing is the most important part of the work. If the cat doesn’t like it, all efforts will be in vain. It is difficult to force your pet to wear such clothes.

In order not to make a mistake with the choice, you can first put the selected material or yarn on the cat’s bed. The fabric must first be washed with a neutral detergent. If the surprise on the bedding does not cause protest from the pet, then you can safely start creating patterns, sewing or knitting.

It is better to choose soft, flexible fabrics for cats: knitwear, cotton or linen with a stretch effect. Clothes made from this material are comfortable and will not hinder your pet’s movements. The appearance of things will not suffer from frequent washing.

The finished knitted product must be washed.

Taking measurements

Creating clothes for a pet with your own hands begins with creating a pattern, for which you need to take measurements

It is important to determine the size correctly. The fit of the product on the cat and its comfort depend on this.

To take measurements from the model, you need to take a centimeter tape. To create a universal pattern, it is enough to determine 3 main parameters of the pet:

• ОШ – neck circumference. Measured at the base of the neck - where it meets the chest;
• OG - chest circumference. Calculate along the widest part of the cat’s body, under the front legs;
• DI is the length of the product. Equal to the distance from the base of the neck to the base of the tail.

Based on these measurements, you can design any styles of clothing for various purposes for your cat.

If the product involves sleeves and a collar, then the following measurements are also needed for the pattern:

• OT - body circumference. Measured across the stomach, in front of the hind legs;
• OPL and OPL are the girth of the front and hind legs, respectively. Calculated based on their widest part;
• LSH - neck length from base to ears;
• DT - length of the body between the front and hind legs.

When creating a drawing, length measurements are taken in full, and the length of the girths is divided in half. Armed with the numbers, you can safely start cutting out a costume for your pet.

Universal drawing

The figure shows an approximate drawing from which you can create various clothing patterns for cats.

The top image is the back, consisting of two parts. The lower part is the tummy. Half of the part is drawn, a fold runs along the middle line. Semicircular recesses are holes for the pet's paws (armholes).

The DI measurement is laid along the lightning line. Next, a drawing is built from it in accordance with the size of the cat. Line CD is the length along the tummy from the front to the back paw.

When cutting the product, remember that clothing for cats should not be too tight. To do this, add 1-3 cm to the pet's girth measurements for a loose fit.

Seam allowances must be made along the contour of the pattern. Their size is adjusted as follows: add 0.5-1 cm along oblique and figured cuts, and 1-2.5 cm along side and shoulder seams. Clothes for a cat should not be too loose.

Required Items

To create clothes for cats with your own hands, you need to prepare a workspace: a table or any flat surface for cutting.

You will also need:

• paper or fabric for making a pattern;
• yarn and knitting needles or crochet hook if the project involves a knitted item;
• fabric: main, lining, cushioning (insulation);
• tailor's chalk;
• adhesive materials for strengthening oblique and figured cuts;
• sewing accessories: buttons, snaps, zippers, Velcro fasteners;
• finishing accessories: braid, lace, adhesive applications;
• sewing threads;
• needle;
• scissors;
• sewing machine.

Now you can start creating an original, stylish set of clothes for your pet.

Universal drawing

Most outfits can be made based on just one pattern. To create a universal drawing, you will need a sheet of paper and measurements taken from the animal. Based on the measurements, a pattern is drawn, consisting of a back and front.

All smooth curves are drawn intuitively and corrected after the first fitting. Having drawn the proposed pattern, it is necessary to make allowances for the seams, after which the parts are cut out and the image is transferred to the wrong side of the fabric.

Example of a universal drawing

For convenience, the pattern can be pinned with pins. The drawing is redrawn and cut out. Depending on the fabric chosen, a fastener is used when sewing the outfit. If you choose a knitted stretch material, you won’t need a zipper, since the vest can be pulled over the cat’s head. In the case of non-elastic materials, a fastener is sewn into the back. You can also use Velcro or buttons, but to do this you will have to adjust the back piece, leaving an allowance for the fastener.

Vest without pattern

To sew a vest for a cat, it is not necessary to draw complex patterns. All you need is an old sweater, scissors and some creative inspiration. The model in the picture shows a dog, but the proposed accessory is perfect for a cat of any breed.

Clothing suitable for both cats and miniature dogs

The step-by-step production of such a vest is presented below:

1. the sleeve is cut off from a knitted sweater;
2. draw a curved line with chalk next to the cut - on the stomach the vest should be shorter than on the back;
3. cut off the excess along the marked line and overcast the edge. You can use either an overlocked hand stitch or an overlock stitch;
4. The future vest is applied to the animal and the location of the holes for the paws is marked. The closer to the narrow edge the holes are made, the smaller the vest collar will be;
5. Having folded the sleeve in half, reflect the marks for the holes symmetrically and cut them out. You can overcast the edge in any way.

After fitting, the craft is adjusted. If necessary, it can be sutured.

Video - Vest for walking

Dress for the sphinx

You can sew an original outfit for a cat using a simple pattern. An example of this will be a wonderful dress created from just two parts.

Step-by-step instructions for sewing a simple sundress

First, using the measurements taken, you will need to cut out the main part. To do this, the fabric is ironed and folded with the right side inward. A pattern is drawn with chalk on the resulting “sandwich” of fabric. In the proposed example, the back length is 26 cm. This value can be changed depending on the required length of the dress. The value equal to 17 cm in the photo indicates the length of the product on the stomach. The first fitting will help determine the length, so the fabric is cut with a margin, and later the excess is cut off.

Pattern of a sundress for a cat

Step-by-step instructions for making a dress for the sphinx consist of several simple steps:

1. seam allowances are added to the part and the pattern is cut out;
2. by dividing the folded fabric, you get a dress detail with two cutouts for paws. Having attached the part to the animal, mark the required length and adjust the dress;
3. the armholes of the sleeves and the bottom of the product can be edged with tape or hemmed by machine, turning the fabric 3 mm;
4. the part is sewn together. The seam should be on the front of the product;
5. You can use cuffs from any sweater or a strip of elastic fabric as the neckline of the dress. The rectangle of material should have a length equal to the circumference of the cat's neck. The strip is sewn into a ring and folded in half, after which it is attached to the product.

The dress can be decorated in any way you like. For example, create an applique from fabrics or sew on buttons and other decorative elements.

Video - Denim collar-vest with removable wings for a cat

Lion's mane for a cat

Reviews (Russia): 90 / Orders (World): 1,200

A false mane for a cat is a guarantee of continuous laughter. By putting the product on the animal’s neck, you will turn your pet into a real ruler of the prairies, only on a slightly reduced scale. The plush ears that peek through the thick wool look especially funny. A special elastic band holds the mane firmly, but does not squeeze the cat’s neck.

Buy on Aliexpress

4

The tuxedo

You can sew a wonderful tuxedo for your cat as a stylish accessory. Using a simple pattern, you can make a jacket-cape that will not hinder movement and will give your pet comfort.

For work you will need the following materials:

• white fabric - an old T-shirt;
• black material - any piece of cotton of a suitable size;
• a piece of red felt;
• Velcro for fasteners;
• scissors, chalk and other tailor's little things.

Necessary materials for work

Step 1. To determine the length of the tailcoat, measure the length from the neck to the tail of the cat. A pattern of a white element is cut out of white fabric in accordance with the measurements. For convenience, use a fabric folded in half. You will need 2 of these parts.

Cutting out the details for the tailcoat

Step 2. The first white piece, folded in half, is applied to the black fabric. The dark element should not be the same size as the white one, as the jacket will end up being shorter than the shirt.

Cutting out parts from black fabric

Step 3. You can choose any shape of the vest itself. The main thing is that it is symmetrical.

Combining the details

Step 4. A tie is cut out of red fabric, and a collar is made from a white scrap.

Cut out and apply the tie and collar

Step 5. Next, the parts are sewn together in the following order:

1. a tie with a collar is attached to the base;
2. a vest is attached to the upper white part;
3. the protruding part of the tie is sewn on top;
4. Velcro is sewn to the elongated neck so that the upper part tightly covers the lower one.

Sew the parts and attach Velcro

Step 6. The future tailcoat will be attached to the pet’s neck and stomach. As a fastener, cut out a rectangular strip of black color and add 0.5 cm to its edges.

Making a fastener

Step 7. The resulting strap is sewn between two white parts of the tailcoat. The length of the belt is determined by the circumference of the pet's chest. It is best to adjust this length during fitting. The edge of the cut belt is lined up. Strong Velcro is sewn onto one end of the tape.

Sewing the tailcoat and fastening

Step 8. The second Velcro piece is sewn on the opposite side of the white piece inside out, as shown in the picture. The fastened strap will go around the animal's chest. To make the tailcoat look stylish, its edge can be ironed and stitched 1 mm from the edge.

Ready-made tuxedo

The finished tuxedo will serve as an excellent cape for a freezing Devon Rex.

Cut and style

A clothing pattern for a cat includes 3 main measurements:

1. Neck circumference - measured closer to the body, under the Adam's apple.

Length of the body from the end of the neck to the base of the tail.

The chest volume is just behind the front paws.

Additionally, the length of the body (see the figure), from the front to the hind legs (4), the width of the front legs (5) and the girth of the pelvis (6) can be measured. These parameters are necessary for dresses of any style. They can be made in the form of a sweater, vest, blanket or other item of clothing. It all depends on the desires and capabilities of the owner.

If a person has little idea how to sew clothes for a cat, he can use a sleeve from an old sweater or jacket. Clothes that the animal already loves are especially suitable. Dressing from the product that your pet has chosen as a bed will reduce the likelihood of “rejection.”

Many cats are “nudists” by nature, and something made from the material on which they are used to resting will cause less desire to rip it off.

When deciding how to make clothes for a cat from a sleeve, a person just needs to cut a piece of the appropriate length and make holes for the paws. These procedures are enough to make a primitive outfit from linen. In addition to the holes, ties are cut or sewn on. In addition, elements of a cat's wardrobe can be knitted.

The prototype for more complex products, such as equipment for an exhibition, will be clothing for Basik’s cat, patterns for which can be easily found on the Internet. The outfits for the toy can be easily adjusted according to the above marks to match the real animal.

If clothing is intended to be worn for a long time, it is important to ensure that it does not interfere with the management of natural needs.

Materials for sewing clothes for a cat

It is better to use natural fabrics and threads. For summer clothes that help, for example, protect sphinxes from overheating, pure cotton material or with small amounts of elastane is suitable

The ability to stretch is an important property of cat wardrobe items

Animals actively move and bend, so hard tissue will create discomfort. You should also think about the tendency of the material to generate static electricity when in contact with wool or other surfaces. It will be unpleasant for the animal to receive regular shocks. The material should not fade or be prone to deformation when washed.

Animals may need clothing for practical and aesthetic reasons. Basic wardrobe items are easy to make yourself. The owner can use his own old things or new fabric. Do-it-yourself clothes for cats, patterns for which can be found online or made yourself, are sewn quite simply.

In many cases, the only tool needed is scissors. The main thing is that the animal loves the new thing. Cats show miracles of acrobatics, freeing themselves from unpleasant outfits. When making clothes, you need to make sure that the animal likes both the material and the style.

It is important that the cat feels comfortable. Things should restrain paws or interfere with trips to the litter box or other daily activities

If the outfit meets these criteria, your pet will be happy to wear it, or at least less averse to having to dress up.

Airy skirt

Clothes for cats are needed not only to keep your pet warm, but also for going out into the world. Thus, show animals often appear before judges in exclusive outfits. Skirts are especially relevant in cat fashion, giving femininity and charm to sophisticated breeds.

To create such an unusual accessory you will need:

1. tulle;
2. satin ribbon;
3. scissors.

The easiest way to create a fluffy ballet tutu does not require any drawings or patterns. To sew a skirt, just measure the cat’s “waist” circumference and add 10 cm to this value.

Required materials and work process

The satin ribbon is cut to the obtained length. The tulle is cut into strips 2 cm wide. The length of the strips is equal to the required length of the skirt multiplied by 2.

Next, the tulle strips are folded in half and tied onto a satin ribbon with loose knots, as shown in the photo. The thicker the ribbons are tied, the more magnificent the pack will be. To add volume to the product, the length of the strips can be varied. To create color transitions, tulle of various shades is used.

How to cut and attach ribbons

When all the stripes are tied on a ribbon, the skirt is tried on the cat. The free ends of the tape are tied on the back of the animal and their length is adjusted.

Ready-made skirt

Insulated option for walking

Fashionable clothes for a cat can not only be sewn, but also knitted. A simple vest design for an adult pet will help with this.

To make clothes bring comfort and joy, you need to choose natural threads. Acrylic thread or angora yarn will also work. You will also need knitting needles. Their diameter is determined by the thickness of the yarn, and the recommended tool number is indicated on the thread packaging.

Vest diagram

On a note! Before knitting, it is recommended to wash the threads in warm water and dry them in fresh air. Do not use washing powder with a strong odor. Hairless cats often face skin problems, allergies and other troubles.

Emergency heating

It happens that you need clothes for a cat urgently. There is not enough time to create a pattern and sew it. This happens when a frozen kitten is nailed to the house in winter. To quickly warm him up, you can make a simple outfit out of a regular sock.

What you will need:

• an old warm sock without a pair;
• scissors;
• chalk.

Sock cat vest

To make a simple vest from scrap materials, you don't need sewing skills. Even a child can cope with this task, since it includes several simple steps:

1. The sock is applied to the pet and the length of the future product is measured with a small margin (1 cm). Mark the cutting line with chalk;
2. the sock is folded and ironed, then the excess is cut off;
3. After this, the position of the holes for the paws is noted. It is important to draw them symmetrically. To ensure that the vest has a wide collar, holes are drawn in the middle of the sock;
4. longitudinal holes are cut with scissors. If desired, they can be overcast with a hand seam or use an overlocker;
5. try the products on the cat. You should check whether she is tight in such an outfit. To do this, place your palm under the sock. If the hand fits in freely, the outfit is sewn to size. The neck area is also checked.

An outfit made from a sock cannot claim to be a fashion item in a cat's wardrobe. However, in difficult situations, such a suit can warm a small pet and give him a sense of security.

Video - How to make clothes for a cat with your own hands

Video: funny costumes for cats

So, we looked at how to make a costume for a cat for the New Year. And you still have everything ahead: sewing, dressing, holding a photo shoot. Happy holidays to you and your cat!

As we prepare for the New Year, we don’t forget about our pets - dogs and cats. We buy or make costumes for them ourselves, hoping that they enjoy this process as much as we do. Maybe they think differently and are simply meeting us halfway out of love? But it seems that they themselves are not averse to showing off in New Year’s costumes.

Summer minimalism

Cats only need casual outfits during the cold season. In summer there is no need for insulation, but there is a need for a stylish appearance. To add some flair to your cat's image, but not to overdo the outfit, you can make a cute accessory for your pet - a bow tie.

By the way! The textile highlight is also useful for photo shoots when the animal urgently needs to find a home or introduce the cat to the public.

Bow tie for a cat

For sewing you will need:

• thick fabric;
• collar (you can use a flea collar);
• needles, thread and scissors.

To ensure that the butterfly does not interfere with the cat’s enjoyment of life, you need to choose the appropriate size of the craft. Firstly, the product should not be too large. A bulky accessory will disturb the animal while eating and irritate it the rest of the day. Secondly, the craft should not have an intrusive smell, rustle or put pressure on the throat.

Step 1. Cut out a rectangle with sides 25 cm and 13 cm from thick fabric. It is also necessary to prepare a jumper for the butterfly. Its dimensions are 6x4 cm.

Tie details

Step 2. If the cat does not wear a collar, a strip of the same fabric will be useful for the tie, which will become a fastener. Its dimensions are 50x5 cm. A long piece of fabric is folded in half lengthwise and stitched. A fastener is attached to the ends of the tape.

Sew the main part for the bow tie

Step 3. A 25 cm piece is folded in half and stitched into a ring. Next, this part is folded so that the line is in the middle.

We sew a ribbon for a tie and sew on a hook

Step 4. A small jumper section is sewn into a miniature ring by hand, going around the main part. The butterfly is straightened and the jumper is secured in the middle of the craft with a hidden stitch from the inside. A part with clasps or a collar is inserted under the ribbon.

Video - Festive butterfly for a cat

Clothes for cats - necessity or whim?

Even the ancient Egyptians used clothing for cats. It was in Egypt that cats were especially revered and valued. They were given precious stones, delicious food and expensive clothes as gifts. Despite the fact that the deification of cats remains in the distant past, some features of their maintenance have survived to this day.

It is necessary to dress pets not only for the sake of beauty or the whim of the owner, but also to protect the body from hypothermia, overheating, precipitation and drafts. Of course, not all four-legged friends will need items of clothing: some breeds have a thick coat and thick undercoat, so they do not need insulation. The same cannot be said about Sphynxes and smooth-haired cats; they need protection from the harsh Russian winters.

Also included in the vulnerable category are kittens, old pets and animals that have undergone surgical operations with extensive clipping of areas of fur.

In any case, a blanket is put on your four-legged friend after surgery to prevent the animal from licking or scratching the wound. In this case, the medical bandage also protects the cat from cold and drafts.

Sphinxes are dressed not only in winter, but also in summer. To protect pets from the scorching sun, cotton T-shirts are used. If this is not done, the skin of Sphynxes and Levkoys will become dry and covered with spots.

Clothing saves cats that are accustomed to walking outside not only from precipitation, but also from fur contamination and parasites. In the latter case, there is no 100% guarantee of protection, but protective overalls significantly reduce the risk of disease. To protect a cat from accidental relationships with other animals, you can also put a protective suit on it, and then the owner will not have to solve the problem with kittens.

Some owners dress up their pets in beautiful holiday outfits, which in everyday life are not entirely comfortable for constant wear. As a rule, this is done for participation in exhibitions and photo shoots.

How to train a cat to wear clothes

Regardless of the breed, most adult cats react violently and negatively to the appearance of clothing in their lives. If the animal has not been dressed up before, it will be extremely difficult to accustom it to fashion. It is better if the first beauty session occurs in childhood. It is easier to teach a kitten not only the rules, but also “manners”. It is recommended to start inoculating the culture when the kitten reaches 1 month. The first outfits should not restrict movement or cause discomfort. It is better to choose natural lightweight fabrics in which the cub will be comfortable to run and play with other kittens.

It's easier to train a kitten to wear clothes

By the way, a cat mother may not understand a stylish look - it will interfere with caring for the baby. Therefore, it is better to carry out the first fittings when the cat is away on business. It is better to switch to constant wear after the kittens are weaned from their mother.

Attention! Kittens are not very clean creatures, so with the decision to dress up your pet, the decision to wash his clothes should also mature. This is especially true for hairless breeds, whose skin secretes a special secretion.

Rules for choosing clothes for cats

First of all, it is worth noting that the process of choosing clothes is purely individual. After all, it is necessary to take into account not only the attractiveness of a particular suit, but also the characteristics of the breed and even the age of the pet. These are very important nuances, so be sure to pay attention to this.

Also, special attention should be paid to the selection of material. Natural fabrics with a small admixture of artificial fibers are best suited for clothing. It is thanks to their presence that the suits will be more wear-resistant. It is believed that the best options are cotton, viscose, linen and wool, as they are pleasant to the body. Also pay attention to the features of the fabric. For example, does it fade in the sun, does it tend to deform when washed, and so on.

When choosing fabric, be sure to consider seasonality. For example, for the summer period, material with a high content of viscose and cotton is best suited. Thanks to this, the animal will be more comfortable. For the autumn-spring period, raincoat fabric and microfiber are more suitable. Due to this, the clothes will protect the wool from getting wet.

For winter, choose insulated fabric such as fleece, flannel, flannel or raincoat. You also need to take care of the insulation. The ideal option would be synthetic winterizer. These clothes will allow you to take your cat for a walk at any time.

But at the same time, clothes should not be prickly, as this will interfere with wearing. The same goes for seams; they should not be too rough. It's best to make them flat. As for additional details in the form of rivets, buttons or lacing, we recommend placing them on the back. This way, they won’t get in the way, and putting on the suit will be much more convenient.

Even if you are sure that you have chosen the right clothes, it is still better to try the product on your cat. After all, this is the only way to understand how comfortable he will be. But if he has not been accustomed to clothes since childhood, then try to take measurements as accurately as possible. You will learn further about how to do this correctly.

Fashion trends in the cat world

Craftswomen and cat lovers never tire of creating new and original clothing models for cats. Every year, unusual outfits for pets of hairless breeds become the rage.

Lace, which is firmly entrenched in the top of the best outfits for cats, does not lose its relevance.

Dress with lace for cats

The sweater is a warm classic for fashionable pets.

Knitted sweater for a cat

Casual outfit for a cat

Festive costume

Clothing for a cat is a way not only to keep your pet warm, but also to give it a unique personality. Even a novice seamstress can sew stylish things for a pet. To do this, it is enough to arm yourself with a creative mood and simple patterns of cat outfits.