A bare wire crate does its job, but it never looks like it belongs in your living room. It clanks, it shows every chew toy and blanket inside, and your dog has nowhere to duck away from the noise of the house.
Learning how to make a DIY dog crate cover fixes all three problems at once. You cut every panel to your crate’s real measurements, pick a fabric that matches your room, and give your dog a calm, den-like spot to rest in.
This guide walks you through the whole project in eight clear steps. You measure the crate, cut five panels, sew them into one cover, and finish it with ties that hold it snug. No pattern to buy, no fancy tools, and no sewing skills beyond a straight line.
Plan on about two to three hours from first measurement to final fitting, with most of that time at the sewing machine. By the end, your dog will have a crate that looks like furniture and feels like a safe den. Gather your supplies and let us start.
What You Need
Materials
- Cotton canvas or duck cloth, 2 to 3 yards for a medium crate, 3 to 4 yards for a large crate
- Matching polyester thread
- 1/2-inch double-fold bias tape, 2 yards, for the door edge
- 8 fabric ties, 10 inches long each, or 4 Velcro strips
- Matching lining fabric, 1 yard (optional, for a softer inside)
Tools
- Soft measuring tape
- Paper, pencil, and ruler
- Fabric chalk or washable marker
- Sharp scissors or a rotary cutter
- Sewing machine with a universal needle
- Pins or sewing clips
- Iron and ironing board
At a Glance
- Measure the length, width, and height of your crate
- Choose a washable fabric that suits your dog
- Cut the top and side panels from your fabric
- Hem the raw edge of each panel
- Sew the panels into your DIY dog crate cover
- Cut the door opening and bind the edge
- Attach ties or Velcro straps to the cover
- Slip the cover on and adjust the fit
Measure the length, width, and height of your crate
Hook the end of a soft measuring tape on the outside edge of the crate and pull it straight across. Write down three numbers: the length, the width, and the height. Measure each one twice, since every cut in this project comes from these numbers.
Measure the door too: its width, its height, and which side of the crate it sits on. Note whether the door swings left or right. A cover that blocks the door latch turns a cozy den into a daily annoyance, so this detail matters before you cut anything.
Choose a washable fabric that suits your dog
Cotton canvas or duck cloth is the best pick for a first cover. It holds its shape, survives the washing machine, and lets air pass through so the crate stays cool.
Pick a medium weight: heavy fabric fights the needle, and thin cotton sags after a few washes. Skip fleece and other thick, fuzzy fabrics. They trap heat, and a warm crate is one your dog will avoid.
For a dog that chews, pick a tight, plain weave with no loose threads. Wash and dry the fabric before you cut it, since cotton shrinks on its first wash.
Cut the top and side panels from your fabric
Lay the fabric flat and mark five panels with chalk. The top panel measures your crate length plus 1 inch by the width plus 1 inch.
Each long side panel measures the length plus 1 inch by the height plus 2 inches. Each end panel measures the width plus 1 inch by the height plus 2 inches.
The extra inch covers the seams, and the extra two inches let the cover hang past the bottom rail. Cut along your chalk lines, and label each panel so the sides and ends never get mixed up.
Hem the raw edge of each panel
Fold the bottom edge of each panel under by 1/2 inch, then fold it under again by the same amount. Pin the fold in place every few inches and press it flat with a hot iron. A pressed fold sews in a straight line, while an unpressed fold wanders.
Stitch close to the inner fold on all five panels. Hem every panel now, before any of them are joined. Once the cover is sewn together, the inside corners turn into a wrestling match with the machine.
Sew the panels into your DIY dog crate cover
Place the top panel face down on the table and lay one long side panel on top of it, right sides together. Pin along the long edge, then sew with a 1/2-inch seam.
Repeat on the other side, then add the two end panels the same way, pressing each seam open.
Turn the cover right side out and check the corners. They should sit square, with no bunching.
A corner that pulls means a seam drifted off line. Unpick a few inches and sew it again. Ten minutes of fixing now beats a cover that never sits flat.
Cut the door opening and bind the edge
Find the end panel that sits over the crate door and mark the door opening on it. Use your door measurements plus 1 inch on each side, and center the rectangle on the panel. Cut the rectangle out with sharp scissors, then pin bias tape around the raw edge and stitch it down.
Bound edges do more than look neat. They stop fraying every time the door swings, and they give the flap a firm edge to roll against. Leave the flap attached at the top so it rolls up and ties out of the way.
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Attach ties or Velcro straps to the cover
Cut 8 fabric ties, each 10 inches long and 1 inch wide, and fold each one in half lengthwise. Sew them inside the cover: two at each bottom corner and one at the middle of each long side. They wrap around the crate bars and knot snugly underneath.
Velcro strips work too, and they suit owners who wash the cover often. Sew the hook side to the cover and the loop side to straps that wrap the bars.
Whichever fastener you pick, stitch it down twice. A tie that rips off in the wash is gone for good.
Slip the cover on and adjust the fit
Drape the cover over the crate with the door opening over the crate door. Smooth the top flat and tie the fasteners around the bars.
Roll the door flap up and tie it above the opening. Open and close the crate door a few times: it must swing free without catching fabric.
If one side sags, take in that seam by 1/2 inch and test again. Watch your dog use the crate for a day: a relaxed dog walks in, circles, and lies down. A dog that pants or paws needs more airflow, so fold back a side panel.
Troubleshooting: Fix Common Crate Cover Problems
| If This Happens | Try This |
|---|---|
| Cover sags at the corners | Take in the corner seams by 1/2 inch, then pull the side ties tighter around the bars. |
| Cover pulls tight across the top | Let out the top seams by 1/4 inch on each side, or add a gusset strip along the top edge. |
| Door flap falls down over the opening | Sew a small fabric loop above the opening and a matching tie on the flap to hold it rolled up. |
| Dog chews the ties or corners | Swap ties for Velcro straps tucked flat, and spray the corners with a bitter apple spray made for dogs. |
| Fabric shrinks or puckers after washing | Wash cold on a gentle cycle and air dry. If the cover already shrank, dampen it and stretch it back over the crate to dry. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What fabric is best for a dog crate cover?
Cotton canvas or duck cloth. Both breathe, wash well, and hold their shape. Avoid fleece and thick fuzzy fabrics, since they trap heat inside the crate.
Should a crate cover block all the light?
No. Leave the door side open or roll back one side panel so air and a little light get in. A cover should feel like a den, not a sealed box.
How do I wash a DIY dog crate cover?
Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle, then air dry. Heat from a dryer can shrink cotton and pull the seams, so keep the cover out of the dryer.
Will a crate cover make my dog too hot?
It can if the fabric is heavy or the room is warm. Use breathable cotton, keep the crate out of direct sun, and watch for panting. If your dog pants inside the covered crate, take the cover off.
Can I make a crate cover without a sewing machine?
Yes. Hand-sew the seams with a backstitch, which is the strongest hand stitch, and use iron-on hem tape for the hems. The cover will take longer, so plan on an extra hour of hand sewing.
Quick Reference Card
What You Need: Cotton canvas or duck cloth; matching thread; 1/2-inch bias tape; 8 fabric ties or Velcro strips; measuring tape; scissors; sewing machine; pins; iron.
Steps: 1) Measure the crate. 2) Choose washable fabric. 3) Cut five panels. 4) Hem each panel. 5) Sew the panels into a cover. 6) Cut and bind the door opening. 7) Attach ties or Velcro. 8) Fit the cover and adjust.
You now know how to make a DIY dog crate cover that fits your crate and no one else. The panels sit square, the door swings free, and the ties hold because you stitched them twice. Put the cover on and watch your dog settle into a calmer, cozier crate.
Pin this guide to your dog board so you can find the steps again for your next cover.
