DIY Reversible Pet Bed with Pillow: Easy & Affordable Tutorial

Updated at: 10/05/2025

Spoil your furry friend with a cozy and stylish new bed without breaking the bank! This tutorial guides you through creating a reversible pet bed complete with a snuggly pillow, all using affordable materials and simple techniques. Perfect for beginner sewers or those looking for a quick and satisfying DIY project, this bed offers the added bonus of easy cleaning – simply flip it over for a fresh side! Forget expensive store-bought options that lack personality and often fall short on comfort.

Creating a custom pet bed allows you to choose the perfect fabrics and sizes to suit your pet's unique needs and your home's décor. Whether you're looking for a playful pattern or a calming solid color, the possibilities are endless. Ready to get started and create the ultimate sleeping haven for your beloved companion? Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions below!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Fabric (1 yard of 2 different designs)
  • Poly fiberfill (1-2 bags depending on pet size)
  • Ruler
  • Iron
  • Sewing machine
  • Fabric marking pencil
  • Pins
Safety Guidelines
  • Always supervise your pet while they are using the pet bed. Remove the bed if it becomes damaged or shows signs of wear that could pose a choking or ingestion hazard.
  • Choose fabrics and filling materials that are non-toxic and safe for pets. Avoid using materials that could shed excessively or cause allergies.
  • Ensure all seams are securely stitched to prevent your pet from accessing and ingesting filling materials.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare Fabrics

    • Pre-wash and iron fabrics.
    • Cut fabrics to desired size (e.g., 25 inches by 38 inches).
    • Fold and iron 1-inch hems on all four sides of both fabrics.
    • Cut 3.5 inches wide by 25 inches long strips, fold, iron, and sew.
    Make ribbons (optional, but recommended for rolling): Cut 3.5 inches wide by 25 inches long strips, fold, iron, and sew.Make ribbons (optional, but recommended for rolling): Cut 3.5 inches wide by 25 inches long strips, fold, iron, and sew.Make ribbons (optional, but recommended for rolling): Cut 3.5 inches wide by 25 inches long strips, fold, iron, and sew.Make ribbons (optional, but recommended for rolling): Cut 3.5 inches wide by 25 inches long strips, fold, iron, and sew.
    Prepare Fabrics

  2. Assemble the Cover

    • Place ribbons between the two fabrics, aligning the middle of the ribbons with the middle of the fabric.
    • Sew three sides of the fabric together, leaving one longer side open for stuffing.
    Sew three sides of the fabric together, leaving one longer side open for stuffing.Sew three sides of the fabric together, leaving one longer side open for stuffing.
    Assemble the Cover

  3. Create Pillow and Bedding Sections

    • Mark lines for pillow and bedding sections on one side of the fabric using a fabric marking pencil.
    • Sew horizontal lines to create pillow and bedding sections.
    Sew horizontal lines to create pillow and bedding sections.
    Create Pillow and Bedding Sections

  4. Stuff and Finish

    • Stuff the bedding section lightly and the pillow section firmly with poly fiberfill.
    • Close the opening left for stuffing by sewing the edge.
    • Sew the vertical lines on the pillow section, pressing flat to prevent bunching.
    Sew the vertical lines on the pillow section, pressing flat to prevent bunching.
    Stuff and Finish

Read more: DIY Glamorous Pet Beds from Upcycled Furniture: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tips

  • Pre-washing fabrics prevents shrinkage and removes chemicals.
  • Adjust fabric size based on your pet's size.
  • Don't overstuff the bedding section; light padding is sufficient.
  • Stuff the pillow section firmly for a full, comfortable pillow.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Inconsistent Seam Allowance

Reason: Varying seam allowances can lead to inaccurate sizing and mismatched fabric pieces, resulting in a lopsided or ill-fitting pet bed.
Solution: Use a seam gauge to ensure consistent seam allowances throughout the project.

2. Ignoring Fabric Stretch

Reason: Using stretchy fabrics without accounting for their elasticity can cause the finished bed to be too small or too tight, especially when using knit fabrics.
Solution: Pre-wash and pre-shrink fabrics, and consider adding a seam allowance to compensate for stretching.

3. Poor Pillow Construction

Reason: Improperly securing the pillow filling can result in a lumpy or uneven pillow, making it uncomfortable for the pet.
Solution: Use a strong stitch and ensure the pillow opening is securely closed to prevent the filling from escaping.

FAQs

What materials do I need to make this reversible pet bed?
You'll need fabric (two different coordinating patterns for the reversible effect), filling for the bed and pillow (polyester fiberfill is recommended), strong thread, scissors, a sewing machine (or needle and thread for hand-sewing), measuring tape, and pins.
Can I make this pet bed bigger or smaller than the dimensions provided in the tutorial?
Absolutely! The tutorial provides a guide, but you can easily adjust the measurements to fit your pet's size. Just remember to adjust all the pieces proportionally to maintain the bed's shape and structural integrity.