Personalize your pet’s leash with this Homemade Dog Leash Cover Tutorial. Customizing your pup’s leash to match the holidays, celebrations, or likes is a fun way to show off your favorites.
Let’s talk about dog leashes. For the most part, they are boring. Yes, some print ones are out there, but the choices are few.
One of the kids graduated from college last year and was looking for a way to dress up the dog. Since they already had a homemade dog bandana, I wracked my brain for something new.
I have seen dog collar covers, which inspired me to make leash covers.
DIY Dog Leash Cover Tutorial
The leash cover is a long tube with ties on the end. The tube is slipped on the leach over the clip and tied at the top over the handle loop.
Supplies & Tools for a Custom Cover
- fabric*^
- grosgrain ribbon
- measuring tape
- scissors
- a sewing machine
- optional: serger
- yardstick
- rubber band
*A 6-foot leash is going to need approximately 70″, which is nearly two yards of fabric. You should be able to make three leash covers from 2 yards. One-third of a yard of fabric can be cut in half lengthwise and stitched together end to end to create one leash cover.
^100% cotton fabric works best for this project and is machine washable.
How to Make the Leach Cover
Get the following two measurements from your dog’s leash:
- The widest part of the leash
- The length from the clip to the handle
Calculate the measurements of fabric needed by:
- Width The widest part of most leashes is the clip, which is typically under 1.5″; therefore, a 5″ – 6″ measurement is wide enough. Add width for thicker parts.
- Length
- For a regular cover, add 5-6″ to the length (I added 5″ for a total of 53″ since one end was the savage and the other was serged.)
- For a scrunchie cover, double the length measurement
Cut the strip of fabric. Mine is 53″x 5″ for a regular cover.
If you do not have a strip of fabric long enough, you can sew shorter pieces together to make one long piece. I did this for my blue scrunchie cover.
Sewing Steps
- Optional: Serge all edges.
- Turn down 1/4″ twice (1/2″ total) along the top and bottom edge and stitch. Only turn down once on a serged or selvage edge.
- Cut two 12″ pieces of ribbon. Fold the end in half and pin ribbon pieces between the fold and edge, as shown below. Optional sew ties onto the other end.
- Turn 1/4″ down along each side edge and stitch. It is not required if serging.
- Fold the strip of fabric longways, with the right sides together, and stitch.
- Slip the cover over the dog leash, starting with the clip and going through the end with the ties. I pushed a yardstick through the long tube, put a rubber band through the hold, and clipped it to pull it through.
- Tie the ribbon over the loop of the dog leash handle.
- Make a cover for each occasion.
How cute does the dog look? Mama was thrilled with her school cover.
I hope you enjoy this easy tutorial. Please share a photo of yours on Facebook or Pinterest.
Check out these other pet tutorials:
Dog Leash Cover
Create a personalized dog leash cover with this easy tutorial. Show off your pup's unique style by customizing their leash for special occasions or everyday use.
Materials
- fabric (see notes below)
- grosgrain ribbon
Tools
- measuring tape
- scissors
- a sewing machine
- optional: serger
- yardstick
- rubber band
Instructions
- Calculate the fabric cut measurements by following the instructions in the post description.
- Serge all edges (optional).
- Turn down 1/4" twice (1/2" total) along the top and bottom edge and stitch. If the edge is serged or the selvage, turn it down only once.
- Cut two 12" ribbons and fold the end in half—pin ribbon pieces between the fold and edge. You can also sew ties onto the other end if you want.
- Turn 1/4" down along each side edge and stitch (not required if already serged).
- Fold the strip of fabric longways with the right sides together and stitch.
- Slip the cover over the dog leash, starting with the clip and going through the end with the ties. Use a yardstick to push the cover through the long tube and put a rubber band through the hole, then clip it to pull it through.
- Tie the ribbon over the loop of the dog leash handle.
- Make a cover for each occasion.
Notes
100% cotton fabric works best for this project as it has many color/pattern choices and is machine washable.
A 6-foot leash will need approximately 70", nearly two yards of fabric. You should be able to make three leash covers from 2 yards. One-third of a yard of fabric can be cut in half lengthwise and stitched together end to end to create one leash cover.