So we are expecting a new addition to our house hold in the coming months. A very small addition. And I have become increasingly excited in the anticipation of getting our new puppy. To the point of almost being in a crazy about it.
It has been on my mind that I want this elaborate closet filled with tiny dog clothes and accessories and while the items I have found online have been nothing shy of perfection, me being me, wanted to see how hard it would be to make what I would call ‘doggy couture’ style clothing. Can’t be that hard right? Turns out no, no that hard. And honestly doesn’t take that much fabric or time either. If you are making the same size that I am all you need is a fat quarter or two if you are doing a different colored lining. This is enough fabric to make the dress and even a matching collar that I will post a tutorial on at another time. So come along for the journey with me as I attempt my first doggy dress. I wanted something that she could wear and still have a leash attached. So let’s start with the supplies. Links for the items I used from Amazon will be included.
Gather your supplies.
1/2 inch D rings https://amzn.to/3T6nJ2d Amazon
Lace trim https://amzn.to/3PfQ4lz. Amazon
Scissors https://amzn.to/4cafxGC Amazon
Thread https://amzn.to/3TthPcM Amazon
Velcro https://amzn.to/4a7uqIi Amazon
Snap kit https://amzn.to/3IqWCtM Amazon
Fabric of your choice and lining.
Sewing machine (you can also sew this by hand)
To start let’s cut the pattern out of our fabric. You will need lining for the back of the vest and the for the largest part of the ruffle dress. Here are all of my pattern pieces cut out.
First let’s take the fabric and lining pieces of the vest and pin them wrong sides together. Along the bottom we are going to leave and opening about the width of the dress itself this will let us turn this out after sewing.
Now sew along the very edge of the vest starting at the beginning of one of the sides that you are leaving the opening all the way around to the other side of the opening. So starting at one arrow and sewing around to where the other arrow is. Is should look like this with the opening.
Now turn this out using a blunt pencil or a crochet hook to get all the way down the “arms”. Like this.
Now take the largest layer of the ruffle dress and the lining and pin them wrong sides together leaving a 2 inch gap to turn this out.
Turn this out and then go back to your sewing machine and set your top stitch to its longest setting. We are now going to top stick along the top to be able to make the gathers to create the ruffles. At the bottom of the dress panel go ahead and sew your decorative lace.
Gathering stitch at the top and lace on the bottom.
Now take the shorter width dress panel and do a very small rolling stitch along the sides and bottom. Don’t worry about the top of the fabric this will be incased later.
Add your gathering top stitch and the lace at the bottom.
Now it’s time to gather your dress panels. Find the top stitch string that is free moving and gently pull it and move the fabric down the stitch to create your ruffles. As you do each panel remember that both panels need to be the same width at the gathered part because they will be laying on top of one another when sewn. A good guide as to show wide the two need to be is to measure how wide the gap that you left at the bottom of the harness is.
Place the smaller of the panels on top of the larger panel and line up the top portion which you have just gathers and stitch into place like this.
Now take the vest portion previously sewn and line up the top of the dress panels with the gap at the bottom of the vest like this.
Flip the panes upside down on top of the patterned portion of the vest and pin the skirt part on top of it. This is so when you sew the skirt portion on and then flip it back over the rough and raw edges are now going to be inside the vest. go ahead and sew that together.
Now flip the skirt portion back over you will notice that your sewed edges are now inside of the vest. Now take the liner portion of the vest and gently fold over the bottom, raw edges of the skirt and pin together.
Now, sew the edges closed and travel your needle as close as you can to the edge of the fold that you made with the lining of the vest. This will close it off and attach the skirt completely.
Now flip over and examine your work.
Now take the part that you will be using to attach the D ring and sew the two long sides and one short side together leaving an opening to turn out.
Once it is turned out it should look like this.
Time to attach this and the D ring to the vest part. Start by pinning the top of the strip and lining it up with the top seam of the vest. Pin in place. Mark with another pin where you want the D ring to sit. Take it to the sewing machine and secure the top half stopping where you marked. Slide theD ring into place and secure the other part of the strip.
Cut two pieces of Velcro to attach to the flaps that will secure the vest under the dogs belly and sew them on. Remember to use the soft side of the Velcro for the flap that will be touching the belly instead of the rough side which could irritate the puppy.
I am going to add some snaps to the front flaps as they will be more sturdy if the dog pulls on the leash. I installed one male on one side and one female on the other side.
Now you can add bows, flowers, or whatever else you wish to use for embellishment. So cute! Now go fill your doggy closet with all the fabulous clothes you can imagine. Just a gentle reminder, alway make sure to supervise your little fur baby when wearing clothes.
This is another set that I just finished as well. It includes the dress, matching collar, leash, and doggy poo bag. Just think of what you can create for your little (or big) fur baby. See you next time!
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