| Making a warm and waterproof coat for your dog is | | | | To Make Your Pattern |
| quite simple, and means that you and your pooch can | | | | Now draw out your pattern. |
| get more exercise over winter. | | | | Place both pieces of fabric with right sides together, |
| Suitable Fabrics & Notions | | | | the waterproof fabric on top (facing you). First, draw a |
| For the fabric, you want 2 layers. An outer layer of | | | | square which is your WIDTH on one side, and |
| waterproof fabric (or fabric that can be made | | | | LENGTH plus ½ NECK on the other side. (See this |
| waterproof), and a warm layer for next to their fur. | | | | diagram here You may want to quickly pin inside this |
| Suitable fabrics for the outer layer include Gore-Tex, | | | | line to hold both pieces of fabric together. |
| nylon and waterproof canvas. For the inner layer | | | | Now mark off the spot where your LENGTH |
| consider lambswool, synthetic lambswool, or polar | | | | measurement is, exactly half way across the WIDTH |
| fleece. The amount of fabric you require will depend | | | | (see diagram above). |
| on the size of your dog (see next section to calculate | | | | Using tailors chalk, round off each of your edges, and |
| the amount of fabric required). | | | | draw out the scoop for your dog's neck. The width for |
| We'll also need some Velcro to fasten the coat at the | | | | the two top pieces which go around your dog's neck |
| neck and stomach. Try to get some Velcro at least 2" | | | | should be at least 2.5" (for the Velcro fasteners), but |
| wide (or 5cm). This coat needs 2 x 4" pieces (or 2 x | | | | can be wider if you have a larger dog. |
| 10cm pieces) of Velcro. If you have a tiny dog, 4" is | | | | Pin and cut. |
| probably overkill – use your discretion. | | | | Now, using the spare piece left over from the neck |
| The final item we need is heavy duty cotton webbing | | | | scoop, draw another rectangle at least 2.5" wide (for |
| (this folds over the inner and outer layers and is | | | | the Velcro fasteners), but can be wider if you have a |
| stitched in place). Again the amount required depends | | | | larger dog, and the NECK measurement long. This is |
| on the size of your dog. | | | | for the fastener which goes around your dog's waist. |
| How Much Fabric to Buy | | | | To Make Up |
| We need 3 measurements from your dog. First | | | | Before you start sewing, it is a good idea to check the |
| measure the LENGTH of your dog from the base of | | | | coat on the dog. Just place one of the pieces on your |
| his neck (about where the collar sits) to just past his | | | | dog to see whether the neck allowance is enough or |
| tail (we want the coat to extend a little past the tail). | | | | too much – check the amount of overlap for |
| Next, measure the WIDTH by measuring from half | | | | fastening at the neck. Also check that the waist |
| way between your dog's knee and hip, up over the | | | | fastener, when attached, will fit around your dog. |
| rump, to the same spot on the other side. | | | | Also, depending on the fabric you use, you may need |
| Now we need to measure the NECK allowance so | | | | to swap over your sewing machine needle for a more |
| measure from mid shoulder to mid shoulder, allowing | | | | sturdy one, as these fabrics can be quite hard to |
| the measuring tape to droop a little as if it were a | | | | penetrate. Test on a scrap piece of fabric first. |
| fastener on a dog coat. | | | | Now we're ready to sew. Turn the dog coat pieces |
| The amount of fabric you need to buy is the LENGTH | | | | around so that they are right side out. Starting on one |
| plus half of the NECK measurement by the WIDTH, | | | | of the sides, pin the cotton webbing around the entire |
| so if your dog's LENGTH is 22.5" and WIDTH is 23.5" | | | | outer edge of the dog coat, being sure that it is evenly |
| and NECK is 16", you need to get inner and outer | | | | spaced. Stitch in place. |
| fabric that measures 30.5" by 23.5". | | | | Do the same with the waist closure piece. Now stitch |
| The amount of webbing you need is LENGTH x 2 plus | | | | the waist closure piece onto the dog coat at a point |
| WIDTH x 2 plus NECK x 4 . So for my dog above I | | | | that is comfortable for your dog. |
| will need 45" plus 47" plus 64", a total of 156" or 13'. | | | | We now need to attach the Velcro pieces on the |
| (Special Note: - the extra webbing allowance Neck x 4 | | | | neck, waist closure and side. Remember that one |
| is for the strap which goes underneath the coat at | | | | piece needs to be stitched on the outside, and one on |
| your dog's waist. A double neck allowance will cover | | | | the inside to ensure proper closure. Pop the coat on |
| most dogs, however if your dog or dog breed is | | | | your dog to check the best place to put your Velcro. |
| particularly thick around the middle, you may need | | | | Stitch in place, and that's it. |
| additional fabric and webbing). | | | | |