How to Resize Patterns for Dog Clothing

Your dog will look so cute in that new suit!

You made a terrific new outfit for your dog, and now you want to make a similar outfit for your other dog, but in another size. Or maybe your friends asked you to make the same outfit for their dog. Don't fret. Using the original pattern, it won't take much effort to resize that pattern for a different dog. Besides, everyone will know it was worth the effort when they see those cute matching outfits for your dogs.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• All-in-one printer
• Dog clothes pattern
• Computer
• Graphics program
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Measure around the chest of a dog that fits the original pattern. Measure around the chest of the dog for whom you want the new pattern to fit. Divide the second measurement by the first, then multiply by 100 to get your resizing factor. (For example, 24 inches divided by 20 inches equals 1.2; 1.2 times 100 equals 120.)

2. Scan your original pattern pieces into your computer. Open one of the scanned pattern pieces with your favorite graphics program.

3. Open the "Resize" function (most likely this is in the "Image" menu). Change both the height and width from 100% to your resizing factor (for example, 120%). Click "Okay." Save your new image.

4. Select "Print" from the "File" menu. Choose "Actual Size" or "100%" for the size options. Click "Okay" or "Print."

5. Repeat resizing and printing with all your pattern pieces. Cut out all new pattern pieces.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all printers will give an accurate size reproduction, so you might need to rely on trial and error. If your new patterns come out too big or small, try resizing and reprinting them again.

• If any pattern piece is too big for your scanner, scan, resize and reprint each half of the pattern separately, then cut and tape each resized half back together.

References

• Gifts-For-Dog-Lovers: Free Dog Clothes Patterns for You to Sew
• The-Happy-Dog-Spot: Free Dog Clothes Sewing Patterns