DIY Water Bottle Dog Toy + Free Pattern

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Learn how to make a DIY water bottle dog toy with a free sewing pattern! The crinkly sound is fun for dogs, and the bottle is easily replaced!
My dog loves the sound of squishing and crunching plastic water bottles. If one of my kids ever leave an empty one out, our dog will grab it and squish it for the sounds.
For his birthday this Spring we let him pick a toy at the pet store, and he picked a little animal that had a water bottle inside.
I realized how simple and easy it was to make a water bottle dog toy, so I created a free dog bone sewing pattern that fits a water bottle. The best part is that there’s a little opening in the back so that it’s easy to switch out the water bottle as needed!

If you are reusing the hem of denim jeans you don’t need to finish the edges of that opening. If you are using canvas fabric you’ll have to sew the hems. There are two different cutting lines so choose the right one.
Do you love to sew? Try one of these great sewing projects:
- Free sewing patterns
- Beginner sewing projects
- Scrap fabric projects
- Upcycled gift sewing projects
- Sewing projects for dogs
- Ideas to upcycle jeans
What is a PDF sewing pattern?
A PDF pattern is a sewing pattern designed on the computer and organized so that it can be printed on several letter or A4 size pieces of paper.
I love using PDF sewing patterns because if the pattern gets ruined or if my children or I changed sizes, I can always print it again. It’ll never be destroyed since I have a digital version!
How do you use a PDF sewing pattern?
Open the PDF on a computer and click print. When printing make sure that the scaling is set to 100% or no scaling so that the pattern prints at the correct size.
Once the pattern is printed it can be taped together to get the full size. Then the pattern can be cut for each pattern piece size or individual sizes can be traced so that the pattern can be used again and again. Learn how to use PDF sewing patterns.
What is upcycling?
Upcycling is to reuse material to create something better than the original. I usually use this to describe when I’m sewing adult clothing into clothing for children or I’m sewing clothing into an accessory or house item.
DIY Water Bottle Dog Toy + Free Pattern
Supplies
- Free DIY water bottle dog toy sewing pattern – find it at the end of the post
- 1/4 yard of canvas or pieces of denim jeans with hem
- Optional: stuffing
- Empty and clean plastic water bottle
- Sewing tools
- Sewing machine
Do you just want the pattern and tutorial as a PDF? Get the pattern and tutorial for just $5. You won’t need to access the internet every time you want to make it. Or get the Pattern Bundle with ALL the PDF tutorials!
If you are using jeans cut one of the seams open to open the fabric flat.
Cut out the two back pattern pieces right along the hem of the jeans. Cut out the front pattern piece.
If you are using canvas use the correct cut line. Sew the 1/4 inch double fold hem in place for both back fabric pieces.
Place the back fabric pieces on the front with right sides together. The back pieces will overlap slightly.
Sew around the edges with a 3/8 inch seam allowance. Sew the end points again to reinforce.
Clip the inner points and notch the outer curves. Sometimes I use pinking shears to make the notching easier and quicker.
Turn the bone right side out.
Poke out the curves with a point turner.
Optional: add some stuffing to the four round ends. This will add a different squishy sensation when the dog is chewing.
Insert the water bottle in the back of the bone. If you are worried about the lid getting choked on leave it out of the toy.
You finished!
Get the Free Sewing Pattern here!
If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!
I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather
Can’t wait to make this as Christmas presents for all of the dogs in my family!