In inclement weather, people bundle up in warm, comfortable, waterproof clothing that is comfortable and in line with fashion trends. Our faithful, devoted little brothers - dogs - suffer no less than us from heat, wind, and bad weather. Being responsible for those who were taken into the family and tamed, we take care of our four-legged friends, worrying about their health and well-being. Do-it-yourself clothing for dogs, the patterns of which are modeled taking into account the parameters of your pet, will warm you up in cold weather, hide you from the rain, and highlight your pet’s stylish, fashionable “outfit.”
Let's look at the main types of clothing for small dog breeds
Functional clothing
– things used for autumn-winter-spring walks: these are jackets made of light but waterproof material, warmer fur coats or down jackets, as well as safety shoes.
Decorative clothing
– it includes things that do not carry any functional load, but serve for purely aesthetic purposes. These are various dresses, blouses, pants, T-shirts and other things that, in their assortment, are close to the human wardrobe.
Buying ready-made clothes for your pets or sewing them yourself is a matter of taste and wallet for each individual owner. This article will talk about how to sew clothes for your dog without spending a large amount of money, because you can use your old boring things, such as a jacket or jeans.
Let's look at how to sew clothes for a dog using a pattern, using the example of a sports overall for a Chihuahua. For work we will need: a sheet of paper, fabric (preferably cotton or knitted velor), threads in the color of the fabric, a sewing machine (you can do without it - the overalls are not large), rhinestones or other decorations at your request.
Selection of tools for work
You should begin independent cutting and sewing activities by organizing your workplace. Working with a needle and thread requires painstaking work and constant eye strain. In order to reduce the load on the muscles of the back, arms and shoulders, carefully select the height of the table and chair.
To relieve the eye muscles, you should prepare the optimal level of natural and artificial lighting. You will also need the following set:
- A set of patterns for preparing patterns.
- Sharp scissors that will not tear the edges of textiles.
- Tape measure.
- Pencil.
- Sewing machine.
- Decorative elements (if they are provided for this model).
- Threads and needles for hand stitches.
Step-by-step instructions for sewing pajamas with a detailed description of each stage of the work may also be useful (for example, how to sew silk pajamas with short shorts).
Stages of sewing overalls for a domestic dog using patterns
First, we make a pattern on paper, if necessary, adjusting it according to the size of your dog. To construct this pattern, a 2*2 cm cage is used, the length of the dog’s back is 22 cm.
At this stage, it is important to correctly construct all the clothing patterns for the dog, and several nuances must be taken into account: the gender of the animal, the volume of fur, skin folds, nails, tail, freedom of movement. It is also important to take into account the characteristics of each specific breed: for example, when sewing clothes for Yorkies, you need to make an allowance for freedom of movement, taking into account the volume of fur, and in clothes for a French bulldog there should be a wider neck, since dogs of this breed have a thick and massive neck .
We cut out the finished pattern and transfer it to the fabric, leaving 1 - 2 cm for allowances, taking into account all the features of your dog. We sweep the product along the seams and try the overalls on the dog. After we are convinced that it is in season and the animal feels comfortable in it, we finally sew it together. Glue rhinestones, sew on stripes or other decorations that you have prepared. The end result should be a suit like this.
By analogy with this costume, you can sew several more models of clothing for a Chihuahua (for example, a raincoat or a poncho with a hood). Dogs of this breed have delicate skin and quickly lose heat, so to protect against scratches, it is recommended to wear it at all times, regardless of the weather.
Warm clothing is also necessary for dog breeds such as the Chinese Crested and Toy Terrier. The fact is that the Chinese Crested has practically no hair, and the Terriers have no undercoat, as a result of which these dogs almost constantly freeze, even in an apartment.
Features of choosing an outfit
Modern pet stores are literally full of outfits for Toys, offering a wide range for every taste and color (from short denim shorts to luxurious fur coats made of natural fur). However, all this variety has one significant drawback - the high price, so clothes for Russian toy terriers and other lap dogs are not affordable for all breeders. Naturally, this is not a reason to expose your beloved pet to hypothermia: if you wish, you can do things for him yourself.
Knitted sweaters, cashmere ponchos and even winter clothes for toy terriers - all these things can be easily made using standard patterns and patterns that can be found on the Internet in a few minutes. Homemade clothes for a toy are not only about saving your own money, but also about proven quality, since independent selection of materials will help prevent the development of an acute allergic reaction in your pet. In addition, creative people will be able to make their wildest dreams come true, and not buy only what is offered in stores.
There are several basic models of clothing for the toy terrier, which determine not only the choice of materials, but also the construction of the pattern. The gender of the animal also plays an important role in this matter, because clothes for boys should always include a cutout on the tummy due to certain features of their anatomical structure. As for styles and materials, the most popular are the following:
- winter overalls, which are made of waterproof raincoat fabric and fleece/sintepon for lining;
- demi-season overalls with shorts or a skirt made of thick cotton or denim;
- knitted overalls made of hypoallergenic threads (you can use baby yarn);
- light sweaters, raglans and vests made of cotton fabrics;
- knitted winter hats made of natural wool
We are trying to study popular types of shoes for small breeds
In addition to clothing, in winter small breed dogs also need shoes to protect their paws from glass shards, debris and chemicals that are sprinkled on city streets. Shoes, like clothes, can easily be made from old things, such as a woolen jacket. The sole is usually made from genuine leather, suede or other waterproof materials. Winter shoes are usually lined with fur, padding polyester, fleece or other insulating materials. In order for the boots to stay securely on the paws, Velcro, buckles, and elastic bands are used.
As an example, I suggest looking at a few photos with shoe options for your pets, which you can make yourself:
