How to Make a Cat Onesie For Yourself: Measurement Guide

Guides
December 28, 2024

Creating a cat onesie is a fun and rewarding DIY project, perfect for costume parties, Halloween, cosplay, or simply lounging around the house. Whether you’re a seasoned seamstress or a beginner looking for a new challenge, crafting your own onesie allows for a mix of creativity, comfort, and fun. So, how to make a cat onesie?

I’ll walk you through each step, from fabric selection to adding cute cat features, with measurements and tips to ensure a perfect fit. The recommended size collar for an English Cocker Spaniel usually ranges from 12 to 18 inches, providing a snug and comfortable fit for your dog.

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Materials You’ll Need

Before diving into the sewing process, it’s crucial to gather all the necessary materials. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Fabric

For a comfortable and cozy onesie, choose fabric that has some stretch and softness. Here are a few popular choices:

Fleece (Ideal for cold weather, soft and stretchy): About 2.5 to 3 yards for an average adult onesie.
Cotton Spandex (Great for breathability and flexibility): 2.5 yards.
Jersey Knit (Light and comfortable for warmer climates): 2 to 2.5 yards.
Velour or Minky Fabric (For a plush, luxurious feel): 2 to 2.5 yards.

2. Sewing Supplies

Sewing Machine: A basic machine with a zigzag stitch for stretch fabrics.
Thread: Choose a matching thread in black, white, or the color of your fabric.
Scissors: Sharp fabric scissors for clean cuts.
Pins or Fabric Clips: To hold fabric pieces in place.
Chalk or Fabric Marker: For marking cut lines.
Measuring Tape: For accurate measurements.
Fabric for Features: Felt, faux fur, or additional fabric for ears, nose, and tail.

3. Pattern

You can either purchase a pattern for a onesie from a fabric store or make your own using a pre-existing garment. The pattern should include:

Front and back body pieces
Sleeve pieces (Optional)
Hood or headpiece pattern (If adding cat ears)

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Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make a Cat Onesie

Step 1: Taking Measurements and Creating the Pattern

Accurate measurements are essential to ensure a comfortable and well-fitting onesie. If you’re using a pre-existing garment, here’s how to replicate it:

Body Measurements:

Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, just under your arms. For example, if your bust measurement is 36 inches, you’ll want to add 2–4 inches for ease (for comfort, not tight-fitting).
Waist: Measure around the narrowest part of your torso. For a comfortable fit, add 1–2 inches to allow some movement.
Hip: Measure around the fullest part of your hips. Add 2–3 inches for ease.
Inseam (for Full Onesie): Measure from the top of your inner thigh down to the ankle or desired length. Typically, for adult onesies, you’ll need around 28–32 inches depending on your height.
Neck to Waist: Measure from the base of your neck down to your waistline.

Hood Measurements:

Head circumference: Measure around the widest part of your head (just above the ears). This should be around 22–24 inches for an average adult.
Hood length: From the base of the neck to the top of the head. The hood should have a height of about 12 inches to give it a comfortable, slouchy look.

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Step 2: Cutting the Fabric

Once your measurements are taken, it’s time to cut the fabric. Here’s how you can approach the cutting process:

Lay Out the Fabric: Place the fabric on a flat surface, and smooth out any wrinkles. Fold the fabric in half so that you can cut two pieces at once for the front and back of the onesie.
Cut the Body Pieces:
- For an average adult size, cut the front and back pieces with a length of about 60–65 inches (depending on your height) from shoulder to ankle. The width should be around 24–30 inches, depending on your bust and hip measurements.
- For the sleeves, cut two rectangles measuring about 12–14 inches long and 10–12 inches wide (adjust based on arm length and desired sleeve fit).
Cut the Hood:
- Using your head circumference, cut the hood fabric. For an adult, a hood should be about 24 inches wide (adjust for a looser or tighter fit).
- The length of the hood should be around 12 inches. Cut this fabric in a semicircular shape, then fold and stitch to form a hood.
Cut the Cat Ears:
- For each ear, cut two triangles with a base of about 3–4 inches and a height of 5–6 inches. You’ll need four pieces (two for the front and two for the backing).
Cut the Tail (Optional):
- Cut a strip of fabric 3–4 inches wide and 20–24 inches long (adjust for your preference). This will create a long, flexible tail.

Step 3: Sewing the Onesie

Now that everything is cut, let’s start sewing the body of the onesie together.

1. Sew the Shoulder Seams:

Take the front and back body pieces, and pin them together at the shoulders, right sides facing in.
Sew along the shoulder seams with a ½-inch seam allowance.
Repeat on the other side.

2. Sew the Side Seams:

Fold the onesie in half with the right sides together.
Pin along the sides from the armpit to the ankle (or desired length).
Sew the side seams using a ½-inch seam allowance.

3. Attach the Sleeves (Optional):

With the onesie inside out, pin the sleeve pieces to the armholes.
Sew along the edges, leaving a ½-inch seam allowance.
Repeat for the other sleeve.

4. Sew the Crotch for Full Onesie:

If you’re making a full-body onesie, sew the crotch area by pinning the front and back body pieces together at the lower edge. Sew with a ½-inch seam allowance.

5. Attach the Hood:

With the onesie inside out, pin the hood to the neckline.
Sew around the edge of the hood, leaving the seam allowance of about ½ inch. You can also add a small piece of elastic or a drawstring around the neckline for a better fit.

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Step 4: Adding Cat Features

This is where the onesie starts looking like a cute cat! Here are the steps for adding ears, a nose, whiskers, and a tail:

1. Making the Cat Ears:

Fold each triangle of fabric in half to form a 3D triangle, then stitch along the edges, leaving the bottom open.
Attach a smaller piece of pink or black felt to the inside of each ear to create the ear details. This should be a smaller triangle, about 2 inches wide and 2 inches tall.
Sew the finished ears to the top of the hood on each side, about 4 inches from the center, using a strong stitch.

2. Adding Whiskers:

Use fabric paint or thin embroidery thread to create whiskers. On either side of the hood, draw or stitch three lines about 3–4 inches long.

3. Cat Nose:

Cut a small, heart-shaped piece of pink fabric or felt (about 1–1.5 inches wide).
Attach this to the center of the hood using a hot glue gun or a needle and thread.

4. Making the Tail:

Fold the tail fabric into a tube and sew along the edges.
Turn it inside out and stuff lightly with cotton batting or fiberfill.
Attach the tail to the lower back of the onesie with a strong stitch, ensuring it’s securely fastened.

Step 5: Final Adjustments

Once the main features are added, make sure the onesie fits well:

Hem the Edges: Hem the sleeves, ankles, and neckline by folding the fabric over by about ½ inch and sewing along the edges.
Fit Check: Try on the onesie to ensure it fits comfortably. If necessary, adjust the seams or add elastic to the wrist and ankle areas for a snug fit.
Add Optional Decorations: You can add small paw prints to the feet or other accessories like a collar with a bell to complete the look.

Conclusion

Making a cat onesie is a fun and rewarding project that allows you to combine creativity with comfort. By following this guide, you can create a onesie that fits perfectly, features cute cat details, and is sure to be a hit at any event. Whether you’re sewing it for a cosplay, Halloween costume, or just for lounging around, the finished result will be both cozy and adorable.

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Remember, the key to success is taking accurate measurements, cutting the fabric carefully, and sewing with patience. With these steps, you can craft your own purr-fect cat onesie tailored to your style and size! Hope so, now you know how to make a cat onesie? Happy sewing!