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From: DorothyL
Date: 08-20-2005, 03:54 PM (1 of 21)
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I bought a pattern to make my little dog a coat for the winter (I know, I know, I know, but she won't go out without something on if it is cold) and it has three sizes. So how do I measure her. From her feet to her shoulders she is a medium, from her neck to her rump she is a small and around her chest is a large. Usually one would measure a dog from floor to shoulders but this thing fits around and from neck to rump. I still have plenty of time for this but I wondered if any one has any ideas. DON'T say it -- I am NOT making a muslin for a dog! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Magot
Date: 08-20-2005, 04:28 PM (2 of 21)
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.....how about a paper mockup......is she very wriggly? How does it fasten? Velcro? elastic? Perhaps if you had velcro fastening s you could make it a more snug fit... heck what do I know, I've only ever made coats for My Little Ponies!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 08-20-2005, 07:12 PM (3 of 21)
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Wriggly? Jan, she is a Jack Russel. She only sits still when she sleeps. Fittings are likely to be a little stressful. I did find some great fleece today though. It has soccer balls all over it. She entertains the whole neighborhood running a soccer ball around. She can even spin it on her nose. So it suits -- if it fits. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Magot
Date: 08-21-2005, 02:52 AM (4 of 21)
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Jack Russel eh - the epitome of wriggliness. oh well - good luck! don't throw the pattern away when you work it out.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: katydid987
Date: 08-23-2005, 02:23 PM (5 of 21)
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To get an accurate fit, just measure from your dog's collar down to the base of his tail. I agree that velcro is the best way to "dress" a wiggly dog. Good luck and post a pic when you're finished. katie |
User: katydid987
Member since: 11-03-2004 Total posts: 2 |
From: smessier
Date: 08-24-2005, 11:42 AM (6 of 21)
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In the past, I've made several coats (raincoats & hunter safety coats) for my Irish Wolfhound and my son's Lab. The most important measurements were around the neck, chest, and the length from the collar to the tail. Since your pattern closes around the neck, I'd concentrate on that measurement. The length can always be adjusted to the size you prefer. Our Lab actually had the same chest size as the wolfhound...My son swears she's not fat, just big-boned!  Anyway, I used grosgrain ribbon for the tie ups because I thought velcro would get all hairy and gunked up with the Wolfhound. Of course, with a wiggly dog it might be quicker to get the velcro done up as their jumping around in the doorway.  Hope this helps. Show us some pictures when you're done! Sandy |
User: smessier
Member since: 09-03-2004 Total posts: 114 |
From: TupJane
Date: 08-24-2005, 05:52 PM (7 of 21)
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Dorothy I made several adorable sweaters for our 'Puddles' last fall from fleece. The pattern I used was a very worn sweater that she already had. It fit her snuggly and the sweaters that I made do too. I scour the remnants bin at Joanne's everytime I'm in there for pieces that I can use. She'll have a complete wardrobe by the time I'm done. I use a solid color fleece to create a rib-like neckline and I serge the edges. They take about no time to make and the outlandish patterns of some of them are real attention getters! Oh, and they all pull on over the head and the legs slip through the holes. No fasteners of any kind. It's kind of like dressing a doll or a little baby. With a larger dog (Puddles is a dachsund) you might need closers. Jane
See Jane Sew |
User: TupJane
Member since: 02-04-2005 Total posts: 55 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 08-25-2005, 08:07 AM (8 of 21)
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I might try making it so it just slips on. I like the way sweaters do. Or I might use a zipper instead of Velcro because the one she had as a pup had Velcro and it got full of hair and dirt and didn't stay closed. Last year I bought a couple sweaters in the pet store and I liked them a lot better. It isn't hard to get her to sit still to put her sweaters on because she likes them when it is cold outside. In fact she hides behind the bookshelves if you try to put her out without them. But they have to be tough because, like any Jack Russell, she is a mite active once she is out. Thanks for the help guys. It won't be long before I'm going to have to get this done. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: dmoses
Date: 08-25-2005, 11:24 AM (9 of 21)
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Maybe you could use some of those quick-release clips/buckles(not sure exactly what they are called), like the ones on backpacks and pet collars...instead of the velcro.
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: Magot
Date: 08-25-2005, 12:32 PM (10 of 21)
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either that, or take up knitting Dorothy.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: westbrook
Date: 08-25-2005, 01:40 PM (11 of 21)
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scroll down for information on how to measure a dog http://www.leenas.com/English/sew_dog.html |
User: westbrook
Member since: 12-13-2004 Total posts: 35 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-25-2005, 02:47 PM (12 of 21)
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Jan, If I take up knitting it will be for me not the dog! I tried to talk my daughter that knits into making a sweater for the dog and she laughed at me! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 09-17-2005, 12:01 AM (13 of 21)
I couldn't help it. After almost a month, I finally had to read this thread! (OK, so you can tell I don't have a dog, right?) I went to the link posted above. And did you see what it said, Dorothy? It said... "IMPORTANT! Measuring a dog is not always easy. Therefore, always make a muslin first to check the measurements." I had my own little chuckle about that. If you do decide to make a muslin, just be sure not to over-fit it, allowing plenty of ease for scratching and sniffing 
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: fronno
Date: 09-17-2005, 05:10 AM (14 of 21)
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Our Lab actually had the same chest size as the wolfhound...My son swears she's not fat, just big-boned! Sandy That is exactly what I would say, no matter about whom.  
With kind regards,
François |
User: fronno
Member since: 04-26-2004 Total posts: 79 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-17-2005, 07:42 AM (15 of 21)
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I will NOT be making a muslin! I have enough cheap fleece for two coats if the first doesn't fit the second will. If not, it is off the the Pet Depot for a sweater. The little thing is no fu-fu dog you dress up. She just doesn't like to be cold and if people get coats she thinks she should too! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 09-17-2005, 08:15 PM (16 of 21)
I know, Dorothy. I was just stirring the soup a little bit there! 
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-18-2005, 08:42 AM (17 of 21)
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Andrea -- I went and bought myself some fleece for a jacket so I won't feel so stupid just making dog clothes. And no -- I won't match the dog. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: toadusew
Date: 09-18-2005, 09:10 AM (18 of 21)
| Dorothy, don't feel stupid sewing dog clothes--from what I gather, sewing for dogs is an up and coming business for the sewing world. A few years ago my daughter's vocal coach had me make clothes for her two little dogs. That year I made Santa coats and hats. I did measure the dogs first (or tried to) and the clothes were still a bit too large--I would probably do a better job this time. However, the lady loved what I made and the dogs did wear the clothes during the holiday season. This lady still dresses these dogs every day in something. |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: tiedyejudy
Date: 09-18-2005, 09:45 AM (19 of 21)
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Dorothy, Reading this post made me remember I have a pattern I bought several years ago that has a pattern for a dog t-shirt. It uses small velcro dots to close the nect, and there is a band around the bottom of the shirt. It looks relatively easy, and I would imagine that it would have some give since it calls for knits such as interlock, stretch terry, cotton jersey or sweatshirt knits. Since fleece tends to be a little stretchy, it might work too, although my experience with fleece and animals is that there is a lot of static! Anyway, if you get inspired to try more dog shirts/coats, the pattern is Simplicity 8416. Best of luck, Judy P.S. Measuring sounds like a job for 2 - kinda like trying to clip a cat's nails! Judy Sall Originals
www.angelfire.com/retro/tiedyejudy |
User: tiedyejudy
Member since: 08-10-2005 Total posts: 78 
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From: MaryW
Date: 09-19-2005, 11:32 AM (20 of 21)
Now, now girls. No teasing Dorothy. She's sensitive when it comes to her doggie.  My Spike is a fu fu dog, he might wear something but I doubt that he would tolerate having it on. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 09-20-2005, 12:47 AM (21 of 21)
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I just saw the cutest dog today, white short haired something or other, about a 20 pounder, and he had a green camoflage t-shirt on, he looked adorable!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
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