Fig. A: Before cutting your fabric, have your dog model
the paper pattern, and alter as needed. Fig. B: Sew velcro
onto the belly straps and the right neck strap of both the
top coat and the lining. Fig. C: Sew the belt and buttons
Materials
» Tape measure
» Strong medium-weight paper
for the pattern
» Pencil
» Scissors for paper and fabric
» Adhesive tape
» Wool fabric for the top coat
» Sherpa fleece for the lining;
synthetic, not cotton
» Pins
» Fine fabric-marker pen
» Velcro
» Sewing machine
» Medium-weight iron-on interfacing
» Iron and ironing board
» Buttons ( 2) for the belt
» Needle and thread
» Double-fold bias tape
» Pattern template download at
craftzine.com/10/doggone_coat
F
onto the top coat. Fig. D: Center the collar, fleece side
up, along the neckline of the top coat. Fig. E: Attach the
belly straps with their velcro strips facing each other.
Fig. F: Use bias tape to edge the coat.
1. Size the coat and cut the fabric.
Determine your dog’s coat size by measuring his
back from approximately 1" ( 2.5cm) below his collar
to 2" (5cm) from his tail. On a computer or copy
machine, enlarge the template for the body of the
coat by 400%, then by another 110%. Then reduce
or enlarge as needed, so that the length of the
pattern block matches the length of your dog’s
back. Enlarge the remaining sections of the pattern
by the same percentage.
To check the fit and work out the position for the
belt and belly straps, cut out the shapes in paper and
tape them together, then place the paper mock-up
on your dog. Make any alterations, and mark the
positions for the belt and belly straps, adjusting the
length as necessary (Figure A).
If your dog has a long back but a small girth (like a
miniature dachshund, for example), you may need
to reduce the length of the paper pattern by 2"– 4"
(5cm–10cm) to get the right fit around the neck,
then lengthen the back end of the coat only. Or draw
around the template with a marker and cut off the
excess areas.
Once you’re happy with the fit, cut out the fabric
using the paper mock-up as a pattern. A ½" (1cm)
