DOGGONE IT: TWEED COAT
seam allowance is required only for the belt piece.
Cut all the pieces for the coat as follows: 1x main
body with integral neck straps (in top coat and
lining fabrics); 2x belly straps (in top coat and lining
fabrics); 1x belt (in top coat fabric and iron-on interfacing); 1x collar (in top coat and lining fabrics). 5. Attach the collar and belly straps.
For the belt, cut out a rectangle in pattern paper, Pin, and then sew bias tape around the edge of the
sizing it in proportion to the rest of the coat. Fold the collar and the long U shape of the belly straps (as
paper in half lengthwise, then crosswise, and cut off shown for the main body in Figure F). Place the
the short ends on the diagonal to make a point on collar centrally, fleece side up, at the front of the
each end when it’s opened out. top coat, with the collar’s inner edge lined up with
the neck of the body piece, and pin (Figure D).
Turn the coat over so that the fleece lining is fac-
ing up, and position the belly straps opposite each
other, folded inward with the lining facing down so
that the velcro meets. Line up the raw edge of the
belly straps with the edge of the body piece, and pin
(Figure E). Sew the collar and belly straps securely
to the main body.
facing. For the belly straps, make sure you pair 1 top
coat piece that has velcro with 1 lining piece without
velcro, and vice versa. Pin around the edges of each
piece, then machine-stitch.
2. Attach the velcro.
Place the top coat on your dog to check where the
neck straps meet under his chin. Using pins or a
fabric-marker pen, mark the position for the length
of velcro you’ll need to fasten the straps.
Cut the velcro to length. Pin and machine-stitch
1 piece onto the right-hand side of the neck strap
(on the right side of the fabric). Pin and stitch the
corresponding piece onto the right-hand side of
the lining (again, with the right side of the fabric
facing you), making sure that the velcro pieces are
attached in the same place on the straps so that
they’ll match up when the lining and top coat are
sewn together. (The top coat and lining will be sewn
together with right sides facing out, so the strips of
velcro will end up on opposing neck straps.)
For the belly straps, cut the velcro to length. Pin
and sew it centrally onto the right side of 1 top
coat piece and onto the right side of 1 lining piece
(Figure B, previous page).
6. Edge the coat.
Conceal the raw edges of the coat with bias tape
(Figure F). Sew as close to the edge of the bias tape
as you can, ensuring that you catch both sides in
the stitching.
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3. Make and attach the belt.
Sew zigzag stitches around the top coat belt piece
to prevent fraying. Following the manufacturer’s
instructions, back it with iron-on interfacing. Sew
a small hem around the belt.
Position the belt on the back of the top coat body
piece, making sure that it’s straight and centered. Pin
it in place, then sew a neat line from point to point
down the middle of the belt to attach it (Figure C).
Sew the buttons onto the belt, positioning them on
the central line of stitching at an equal distance
from each end of the belt.
C anine Couture by
Lilly Shahravesh
(St. Martin’s
Griffin).
4. Join the top coat and lining pieces.
For each piece of the coat in turn — the main body,
collar, and 2 belly straps — place the corresponding
pieces of fabric and lining together with wrong sides
Lilly Shahravesh, based in London, founded her pet couture
and accessory business Love My Dog ( lovemydog.biz) in
2003, after a 14-year career in fashion as a knitwear designer.
