DIY Step in Dog HarnessMaterials needed:2 yards of nylon webbing2 yards of coordinating ribbon (jacquard or grosgrain work best, and this is OPTIONAL)Hardware: Note: You NEED to customize the hardware to the size of nylon webbing you are using! IF you use 1” webbing, you need to get 1” hardware. The most common sizes for webbing and hardware are: ½”, 5/8”, ¾”, and 1”. 1 ½” is also available for larger dogs and can be found fairly easily, but remember that the larger the size, the more it weighs. For strength purposes, I recommend metal WELDED hardware. 1 side release buckle2 D rings2 round rings2-3 tri-glide slides

Additional items needed:ScissorsLighterMeasuring tape or gridSewing machine and matching thread or matching bobbin thread and clear thread for the top.

Now we are ready to begin. You need to first choose a size. At the end of the tutorial, I will make a list of the sizes you will need to cut the pieces. You will need to decide the size

you are going to make, and cut the webbing accordingly.

First, IF you plan to put any type of ribbon on your webbing, sew that on first. THEN cut the webbing to the sizes you are going to need. Use the lighter to secure the ends by LIGHTLY melting the webbing so it will not fray. NOTE that I said LIGHTLY. I don’t want any burnt fingers and/or houses.

You will be cutting 1 bottom piece, 2 side pieces, and 2 top pieces.

The tri-glide slide on the bottom piece is OPTIONAL. I don’t like it, because it creates a lot of extra bulk that I don’t feel is necessary. Besides, when out on a walk with my dog, I want her to be able to

lay down a bit. Laying ON the additional slide doesn’t look comfortable.Start by taking the bottom piece and sewing the end back on itself. IMPORTANT!! Make sure you leave enough of a gap to thread your side pieces through it! . I like to use a zig zag stitch to make sure it is nice and secure. I sometimes put 2 rows, and allow one row to overlap the edge to give it additional protecting from fraying. Do this every time you are sewing on an “end”.

Next loop your side pieces around a tri-glide slide and sewing them down.

Here comes the tricky part! Take ONE of the O rings, and slide the end of your side pieces that does not have the tri-glide slide on it through the O ring. Come from what you will designate as the INSIDE of the O ring. Then loop your end around the O ring and go up, through, and over the tri-glide

slide. (Step 1)Now take your bottom piece and thread the free end through that. (Step 2)And DON’T FORGET to put the first piece we made through the free end before threading it through the next O ring. (Step 3)Repeat with the other side (Step 4.)

Next, take the second O ring, and coming from what you will designate as the OUTSIDE of the O ring, loop the side pieces through the O ring and secure it

with the zig zag stitching. It is starting to look like a harness!

Next, take your two top pieces and your 2 D rings and your side release buckle.

Loop your top pieces through the O rings, and secure with zig zag stitches. Make sure that your design, if you have one, is facing OUT!

Then take your D ring and slide it on one of the top pieces. Secure it at the top with your zig zag stitches, leaving room at the bottom for your side release buckle. ALMOST DONE! Repeat for the other side.

Lastly, put the side release buckle on the webbing and secure it. Make sure that the buckle parts are facing the correct direction!!! Repeat with the other side.

TA DA!!!! You have a harness and you did it ALL BY YOURSELF!

If you DON’T want to do it by yourself, drop me a message, email me, or stop by

my Etsy store wagswagpetsupplies to get one that I made for you!

Size Top *cut 2

Sides *cut 2

Bottom piece

Hardware

XXS 5” 12” 5 1/2” ½”XS 6” 20” 7” ½” or

5/8”S 7” 27” 8” ¾”M 8” 33” 9 ½” ¾” or

1”L 8” 40” 11” 1”

XL 9” 45” 13” 1” or 1 ½”

I get most of my materials for making dog collars from County Brooks Design. I have tried other brands, and they are not a good quality. And I do NOT get any benefit from recommending them. Bummer….