Dog Crate Cover

I was inspired to make a crate cover after seeing a few pre-made expensive versions and deciding this falls into the category of "I can make that"- mine is a very simple basic version but I like how it looks and the dog seems to like how it functions so everyone's happy. Before this I just a had light blanket over his crate which did the job but wasn't very cute -  if you'd like yours to be a little more "decorated" and done then give this a try... I like to think of it as decorating Sarge's bedroom :) 

The store-bought ones are much fancier and detailed of course (there has to be a reason they can charge so much for them!) with zippers, velcro, and ties but Sarge doesn't need to be sealed up, I just wanted a cozier darker space that hopefully helps him sleep in a little longer in the morning! I also thought he could use more ventilation by leaving it open between the long and short sides - he is one hot dog. 

I bought 2 yards of lightweight brushed cotton material to cover his 21" wide x 19" tall x 30" deep crate (note the door is on the short side, if you have the kind where the door is on the long side you'll have to change the pattern to open that way). Wash the material before sewing it in case there is any shrinkage. I cut one piece of fabric 63" x 32" (this piece will cover the long sides and top in one piece) and 2 pieces that are 22 " x 20" (front and back flaps) and hemmed all four sides about 1/2" seam allowance. I attached the flaps 2 different ways and they both look fine - one way is to lay the hemmed flap right side up over the large piece right side up in the middle where the door will be and sew it on; the other is to put the right sides together of the large piece and the flap (again place the flap in the middle of the large piece where the front or back flap will be) and sew together. Finished product should be approx. 61"x30"x21". I might be making this sound harder than it is, it's just sewing 3 rectangles together! Measure your crate, add an inch or two for seam allowance, hem all pieces, and then sew the 2 flaps on in the correct spot. You could finish it a little more by adding ties or velcro between the flaps and the sides if your dog needs to be enclosed more - Sarge does just fine with the small openings between the flaps and sides. In the morning I just fold the front flap up and open his door.