I love small dogs and from raising Chihuahuas I found that they get cold very easily. Many small dog clothes are cute, but they only cover my back, with an adjustable strap across the chest and around his belly, or just clothes that are a little warm for dogs. And the cost runs from $15 on up! This helps a little to warm up the little tummies. Then, when my niece had her baby, I was grabbing some cute bay clothes and it hit me: The baby clothes would fit my dog! I sneaked out four packs of cute ones and asked the sewing department to buy some elastic bands, I quickly went home and pulled them out. My sewing machine (although you can hand sew these as well) arrange to turn my little dogs into warm coats.
Note: these shirts will be stretchy for small dogs and are not suitable for converting into soft harnesses. This idea can also be used for older dogs with a regular shirt.
The length of time to make these shirts is about one hour. I estimate the price of these to be about $1.50. I picked up a five pack of loads at Wal-Mart for $4, wire for $2.25 and elastic for $0.98.
Materials needed:
Baby onesies that will fit comfortably on your dog. (FYI: My Chihuahuas wear from 0 to 3 months. The neck area also fits well and there is no need for any combination of the neck in the garment. You also need this if you follow the package according to the baby scales size to correspond to your pet’s weight).
Post to match
thumb soft twisted elastic or double-stranded, inclined tape
Decorated
SAFETY NOTE: You do not want to use jewelry that can be chewed, licked, or torn and choked. Use things like sewing on appliques, straps, hats. If you use lace, make sure that their teeth cannot get caught in the lace and tear it. I use lacinio, which cannot be easily torn off.
Fat puffs, glitter, sequins, beads, marabou feathers and bows are dangerous for your pet, especially if you have several, since they can chew and choke when playing and they look tasty to a puppy or dog.
You can easily get sewing materials at any craft store, fabric store and retailers that sell sewing supplies. You can buy new ones either from your local will or Thrift store or you can get them at a cheaper price.
1. Do the adjustment of the neck; Put the onesie on the pet. The shoulders are open for the children’s head, the opening of the back shoulder to the front and shake the mark. where it needs to be sewn up. Vin’ the hole would not be tighter than I thought. Take the onesie and place the shoulder where you described. See Photo 1 for an illustration.
2. Measure your pet from the neck down to the back; this is known from the back of Onesia. Cut the onesie off 1 inch longer than what you want. See Photo 2 for an illustration.
3. Measure the elastic around the dog’s belly, leave a one inch gap for measuring, you don’t want the elastic to be too tight as this will cut off circulation and can hurt your pet. Cut the elastic 1 inch longer than you need.
They sewed elastic skirts over the lap. This can be done by hand or by machine. See Photo 3 for illustration.
NOTE – One warning, the elastic around the waist makes it more difficult for your pet to remove the new shirt. If you don’t want to use elastic, then you’ll want to cut it to the exact length and use bias tape around the edge to enclose the place. This makes for a cute touch.
4. Then fold the ends of the onesie over the elastic to make a hem. You’ll want to double this. Carefully sew the cargo hem without catching the elastic. This can also be done by hand or by machine. See Photius for illustration IV.
Dress up and have a cute coat for your pet to wear. Look at the shirts finished by my beautiful children.
