What's Out There: Sewing for the Dog

It is that time of year when I have to take Herculean measures to keep the corgis from tracking the whole backyard into my house. They love running through the mud, and if there’s a squirrel involved, so much the better. We go for walks when it isn’t raining, and I surely don’t understand how dogs walking on a concrete sidewalk can get muddy, but they manage to do it. They don’t need coats, they both have plenty of their own fur.

Fur and an undercoat are plenty. No need for extra warmth when we barely have been getting below 50 degrees. Short of dipping them both in teflon, I’m not sure how to resolve the muck problem. I took a look online, hoping to find a light raincoat with a tummy guard. That’s what they really need. They kick up the mud onto their fuzzy little bellies and then bring it all in the house.

I probably should not have been surprised that there are hundreds of patterns for all kinds of dog garments. Coats, jackets, sweaters, shirts, booties and of course, costumes. sewingsupport.com has some really good, free patterns on their site, everything from clothes like coats and legwarmers to collars and leashes to dog beds. There are some really good links and great ideas on this site. Not all of the items are made from scratch. Some are upcycled from existing garments. An old sweatshirt with a stain could easily be cut up and used for a dog sweater. The sleeves could even be used separately for little dog sweaters.

Making your own dog clothes is definitely a way to save money sewing. RTW dog coats went for anywhere between $20 and $90 online. I’m pretty sure that for $5.00 I could get some nice water repellent fabric or fleece at RCT back in their clearance section.

Just like people, patterns for dogs don’t necessarily fit right out of the envelope. A 30-pound dog could be short-legged, long-bodied and stocky or long-legged, sleek and slender, so there may be alterations. It might also just be easier to make your own pattern. At least it might if your dog would hold still for two seconds. I found a site that has a tutorial for creating your own coat pattern using your dog’s measurements and a paper sack or two, and then shows how to sew it together.  www.sewdoggystyle.com  It really is a cute, easy coat that, depending on the fabric, would keep the rain off, or if one side were fleece, would also add a bit of warmth for a short-haired dog.

I even found a pattern for dog galoshes. www.instructables.com I will be all set.

Of course, I could just get this fabulous product and save myself some sewing time.

Happy Sewing!!!
Leigh Wheeler
President