If you've been following my blog, then you know that we recently adopted a dog, Spots. Since she's a short haired dog, she gets cold easily, so I set to work making her a sweater. Since it's spring I decided to use a light merino. Since I have a pattern now, whipping out a couple of heavier weight ones won't be a problem in the fall. This probably took me less than a 1/2 hour from start to finish and will be much faster the next time around, now that I have the pattern. On to the tutorial!
First, make your pattern. This is the basic shape you will want:
I won't bother giving the measurements of mine, since every dog is different, but you see the basic shape of it. Measure your dogs neck loosely and make the top of your pattern half that. Measure your dog's waist and the bottom of your pattern will be half that. Cut your leg holes and try them on your dog. If you use newspaper for a pattern, like I did, it will be no biggie to throw it in the recycling and start again if you mess up your first pattern. I may or may not be speaking from experience ;)
Next select your sweater, neck, and legs for your sweater. I chose different colored cuffs from another sweater, but it can all come from the same sweater. I used a turtle neck from the sweater for the neck, but a piece of ribbing, or even a stretchy piece of wool folded in half would make a fine neck.
Cut out your pattern pieces (one with leg holes, one without), with the sweater's hem at the bottoms, and sew them together "right" sides in.
Now you will add your legs. Don't worry if the cuffs are a little smaller than your leg holes... just stretch them a little as you sew them together. When you look inside your legs you should see the seam. That way you know it is going on the right way. Sew your neck on too.
Flip it right side out, and ... voila! Dog sweater! Easy, eh? I love recycled wool :) She loves her new sweater, and if I hold it out Spots will come running and stick her head through the neck. She had a blast playing in the yard on Saturday in her new sweater, even though it was a chilly spring morning.
Edited to add: To add a "skirt" to this sweater, go here.
38 comments:
Just the cutest thing EVER!!!!! You are so talented...;-)
Really great idea! Going upstairs to my studio and make one. Thanks!
Aww so cute, almost makes me wish we had a dog. Almost.
This is SO cute!!
I have a hairy, hot, Great Pyrenees so won't need a sweater but I love what you did. :)
I love her ear!!
Our dog was born in AZ and gets pretty chilling during the winters here in Iowa, so I will be making him a sweater next fall.
Thanks!!
Thta is a great idea and I want to try it our for our dog :)
(Eva)
She's so cute!. Thanks for the tut. I'm going to make one for mine to wear next winter.
I love that last photo! Spots looks so darn cute in that sweater. What a lucky dog!
Wonderful idea! And looks easy to make! I don't have a dog, but my uncle in Chicago has a little Min Pin, she will definetly be getting one of these! Thanks Kris!
ADORABLE!!!
What a cooperative dog!! And you make this look so easy - it's on my list.
So cute! My little dog could use a light sweater. I'll have to modify the belly part though, since he's a boy. Or maybe just make it shorter.
Your dog looks like such a character! I'm totally cracking up over these pictures. His sweater is very handsome (of course I'm assuming he's a he!)
I love this! Thank you :) I made my dog one following your tutorial, and linked back to you - please have a look on my blog :)
This is an awesome tutorial. I am going to feature it on my blog today!
That is one very fashionable puppy... and a contented one at that...!
I love the sweater... the template and the ease at which this was made.
Thank you so much for sharing it.
TEMA
Thanks... all of you!
It's a cute sweater, I will definitely let my friend know, since she doesn't know how to sew.
I love to make clothes for my dogs too. Check out my dog dress & coat. Mine requres a little more sewing.
http://aonestopshop.blogspot.com/2011/10/bella-frill-dress.html
http://aonestopshop.blogspot.com/2011/12/doggy-pleated-wool-coat-pattern.html
Those are great! Thanks for sharing them! :)
Oh, man! Thanks so much for posting this awesome and easy idea. Here's the version I made tonight. Super fun! Plus, now I have a pattern, so it'll be even easier next time.
http://on.fb.me/xgb54y
Awww... I love the cowl neck, and your dog is so cute! I just want to give her a big hug!
In the winter I make my dogs sweater longer on top, it reaches the base of his tail and then I cut a half circle on the underside (from one side to the other) so that he can go potty without getting his sweater dirty.
Can anyone tell me which fabrics are best for making dog sweaters? My dogs short hairs cling to so many fabrics even after being laundered. Any idea would be great!!
I haven't found a fabric yet that my Spots's hair doesn't cling too ;). I personally think wool is the best material, because it it breathable, warm, and insulating. My dog loves her wool sweaters. On cold days, she even asks (noses at them, and sticks her head in them) to wear her sweaters in the house.
Its amazing to feel the winter. It's an interesting information.... Very interesting. We all appreciate it.
Que maravilha!!!!!!
Vou tentar...sei que não vai ficar esta perfeição mas vai ser encantador !
beijocas!
Thank you this is amazing. I was looking all over the web for an easy dog sweater tutorial. All of the others I looked at were really confusing.
Thank you again
Thanks! I'm glad I could help :).
I am speechless. This can be an improbable blog and really partaking too. Great work! That is not likely much coming from an amateur blogger like me, however it's all I might assume after enjoying your posts. Nice grammar and vocabulary in contrast to different blogs. You actually know what you are talking about too. So much that you just made me want to learn more. Your blog has developed into a stepping stone for me, my fellow blogger. Thank you for the detailed journey.
Just love the tutorial and Spots looks so well dressed in the sweater...I have just adpoted another wee girl dog too, she is a Minature Fox Terrier, smmoth coated, and we already have a wire coated Parsons Jack Russell...I have made do in the past by using an old babbies stretch n grow and cutting the legs off it, it works too...keep up the good work...
Wow, that seems so simple! You did a great job! My dog also has short hair and for the winter season coming up I want her to have a couple different sweaters. My husband is a big football fan and wants to make nfl dog jerseys. Do you have any advice on how I could do that? Thank you for your help.
Dorothy, Sorry, but I don't know how to make jerseys for dogs. Maybe i'll add that to my to do list!
Thanks for the pattern, I just used it to make a sweater for my rat terrier who never seems to have enough fur in the winter, he looks very distinguished now:)
Thank you so much for such a simple and NOT overwhelming tutorial!!! I'm a newbie at sewing, so this is perfect...my dogs will be so happy and snuggly warm now.
Thanks for the simple tutorial! I'll try it as soon as we get our foster dog. :D
What a fantastic idea! I can't wait to make one!
This is brilliant and exactly what i was looking for...we just rescued a yorkie poo from the shelter...she definitely needs some upcycled clothing!!! Time to hit a bag sale!!!
Nice! This will be perfect for our mini doxie, who has no fur on his tummy.
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