Make a lined dog jacket from recycled denim and a scarf for free! (or nearly)

As a guy, I've made fun of dogs wearing clothes for years.  Now, as a guy with a cool dog (boxer) I have found myself with the need for dog clothes.  When the weather gets freezing cold and your dog has very little hair, you have to take action or you start getting puddles in the apartment!  I had an old pair of jeans with a knee torn out.  I had an old fleece scarf that I never wear anymore.  A little measuring and sketching and I was ready to get started.  I had fun making Dottie's jacket and hope that you have fun as well.  The jacket I wound up with is customized just for Dottie's size.  I even thought it was clever to add one of the back pockets to the side of her jacket. (for treats?)  I'll give you the steps that I followed and urge you to be creative and give it a try yourself!!

Step 1: Materials

Grab some old clothes... a pair of jeans and a fleece scarf is what I used.  If you want to use a flannel shirt or sweatshirt, no problem.  I suggest something for the outer shell that's durable such as denim or another heavy cotton.  For the lining, anything you would use to stay warm can be used for your puppy.  I also used a sewing machine but you can pretty easily sew by hand if you don't have a machine or just prefer to do so.  I picked up some "industrial strength" Velcro at a local department store.  A piece of chalk will also come in handy... I'll cover that in another step.  A pair of scissors and a measuring tape and you'll be ready to go!

Comments

[notalis1970]

This is really cute. I have a Shiz-tzu which I keep with short hair as I don't like "foofy" dogs. She looks like a cross between a turtle and a Chinese dragon, so pretty ugly. But I live in northern Italy and it gets COLD here, so I need a coat for her. Instead of buying one I think I'd like to make one...something denim with a cool zebra print. No matter what I do I can't make her any more ridiculous looking (except letting her hair grow long and putting a stupid bow on her head--NOT)--so it would only be an improvement.

I'm glad I came across your post. I knew Instructables wouldn't let me down.

If and when I get it done I'll put up a pic :-)

[Original Winks]

This is so Awesome!! 3 days ago I just made a similar coat for my friend's dog. I used my dog as a model, she is just a bit smaller in the barrel, but anyhow mine got jelous and i had to make a better one for her. So after she watched me intently Her bat dog coat was finally done. I used a large piece of denim and had some faux fleece I lined it with. I just need to get it off of her long enough to add a felt "buckle" for her utility belt! I only used 2 pieces of wide elastic on the neck/collar area and one on her belly just a bit behind her front legs to keep from chaffing, but i"m going to use your "belly" design to add more warmth!
D'Nala is a rescue and she has a really hard time staying warm. Being starved in the first few months, as soon as it hits 50 degrees, it's coat time! And being close to Seattle, D wears a lot of coats! We had a bit of a problem with her first coat and the velcro getting full of lint and hair. Maybe there is a hybrid solution ;)

It was so awesome to look on here for ideas and realize that I did something that was so close to your coat. Makes me feel like I have what it takes to be a crafter!

Many happy walks to both of you! ;)