How to Make a Small Dog Raincoat
Small dogs need exercise come rain or shine. For those showery days, a raincoat can help your dog stay warm and dry. Most small dogs hate getting wet, therefore, a raincoat is a great solution. It can also save you the hassle of dealing with soggy towels and a stinky wet dog in your home after a walk. You can sew your own homemade small-dog raincoat that is lightweight and relatively inexpensive.
Things You'll Need
- Waterproof fabric or vinyl tablecloth
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Fabric hook-and-loop fastener, such as Velcro
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Marker
- Reflective fabric strip
Instructions
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Make A Small Dog Raincoat
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1
Measure your dog from just above his tail to his shoulders. Measure from one front leg and across his back to the other front leg. Add 1 inch to each measurement. Draw a rectangle with these measurements on your fabric.
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2
Cut out the rectangle from the fabric. Fold a 1/2 inch of fabric from all four sides of the rectangle and then fold once more to create a double hem. Hem all four sides with your sewing machine. Make sure all corners are neat and flat.
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3
Measure around your dog's body at his tummy. Add 4 inches and cut two strips of fabric to that length to create the straps for the doggy raincoat.
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4
Fold the two long sides of the rectangle inward towards the middle and crease. Center one end of the two straps on each crease. Sew the straps in place on the backside of the raincoat.
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5
Attach fabric hook-and-loop fastener to the ends of each strap. Try the raincoat on your small dog to ensure it fits properly
Add A Hood
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6
Measure around your dog's head and add 2 to 3 inches. Draw this measurement as a straight line on your remaining fabric. Draw a half-moon shape connecting the end points of the line. The hood should be slightly larger than the dog's head to allow for the dog to breath and see while walking.
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7
Cut out the half-moon shape from the fabric. Hem all the way around the hood.
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8
Attach fabric hook-and-loop fastener to both bottom corners of the hood. Try the hood on your dog to ensure a snug fit, but isn't too night around his neck
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1
Tips & Warnings
To save money, use your leftover vinyl tablecloths for this project. You can use different seasonal tablecloths to create a theme and match holidays.
Be safe when walking your dog on raining nights. Sew a couple of 3 inch wide reflective strips on each side of your dog's raincoat. Don't forget to add a few to your own clothing.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Chris McGrath/Getty Images News/Getty Images
