Introduction: Are you looking to keep your furry friend warm and stylish during those chilly outdoor adventures? Look no further! In this DIY guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to create a classic tweed coat for your beloved canine companion. Designed for comfort and warmth, this coat is perfect for weekend getaways in the countryside or leisurely strolls through the neighborhood.
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 here)
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Size the coat and cut the fabric:
- Measure your dog’s back from approximately 1″ below the collar to 2″ from the tail.
- Enlarge the template for the body of the coat to match your dog’s back length.
- Cut out the fabric pieces according to the adjusted pattern.
- Attach the velcro:
- Mark the position for the velcro on the neck and belly straps.
- Sew the velcro pieces onto the corresponding straps of the top coat and lining.
- Make and attach the belt:
- Prevent fraying by sewing zigzag stitches around the belt piece.
- Back the belt with iron-on interfacing.
- Position and sew the belt onto the back of the coat, adding buttons for decoration.
- Join the top coat and lining pieces:
- Place the fabric and lining pieces together with wrong sides facing and pin around the edges.
- Machine-stitch each piece together.
- Attach the collar and belly straps:
- Sew bias tape around the edges of the collar and belly straps.
- Position and sew the collar onto the front of the coat, and attach the belly straps opposite each other.
- Edge the coat:
- Conceal the raw edges of the coat with bias tape, sewing close to the edge.
Conclusion: With these simple steps, you can create a timeless tweed coat that will keep your furry friend warm and stylish on all your outdoor adventures. Whether you’re exploring the countryside or strolling through the city streets, your canine companion will be the best-dressed dog around!
