Introduction: Bespoke Wiener Dog Coat
Wiener dogs are long - longer than other dog breeds, so unless clothing is made specifically for them it won't fit. I have two wiener dogs and one of them obviously does not like to wear clothing, but he has to because he has very little fur. He needs clothes that are super soft because of his lack of fur. I've found that commercial dog coats have very rough seams that irritate his sensitive skin.
Step 1: Supplies
- Cold wiener dog(s)
- Fabric - for this coat I used an old worn-out (the batting is showing in too many places) quilt that my Great Grandmother made. Just a factoid of interest: Granny Fricket used to quilt for other people and she would charge by how many spools of thread she used.
- Sewing stuff
- Measuring tape
- Velcro
- Binding
- Paper for pattern
Step 2: What Normal Dog Clothes Look Like on a Wiener Dog
Step 3: The Problem With Wiener Dogs
Wiener dogs are an extreme case of selective breeding to create a dog strong enough to fight badgers and small enough to fit into a badger hole.
Step 4: Pattern
This is the pattern I made. PossumBean and OtterBean are both 14 pounds, so measure and adjust accordingly for your wiener dogs.
Step 5: Binding
I made a binding from from fabric I cut on the bias and put through one of those binding folding contraptions made by Clover. I put a binding on because it really looks nice and being that it's a quilt it would be too bulky to hem.
You have to use bias-cut binding when you are using binding to go around curves. Otherwise you may use selvage to selvage cut fabric to make into binding strips. It is perfectly fine to use store bought bias binding instead of making your own. In the store it is referred to as "bias tape".
Step 6: Velcro
I used sticky-on-the-back Velcro for the tummy strap and neck strap, and I do not recommend it. The glue really gummed up my needle. The gummy gunk went up inside the machine and down into the bobbin case, it took a long time to clean and caused problems for weeks. Even if I had not taken the tape off of the Velcro it would've gotten the glue all over.
Step 7: Strange Coincidence
Even though it was days apart that I made these two coats for the dogs, strangely I made them just about identical. It was a coincidence that I placed the pattern on the quilt for Otter's coat in the same place as Possum's. Weird.
Step 8: Striking Poses
It's summer now but just wait, even Possum will appreciate his coat this winter.
22 Comments
6 years ago
I'm really surprised you cut up a vintage quilt made by your grandmother to make doggie coats, even though they are adorable pups. It's a great pattern, and a very clear 'ible. I like the photo of the long dog and his shortened alter-ego!
Reply 5 months ago
I just wanted to let you know that you can use a leather sewing awl to stitch the Velcro by hand. It works great. We bought a coat, but it's too big in the tummy area for our doxy, and we added Velcro to make it fit. It's the only way to make a store bought coat fit our baby. He has a large head and chest circumference, but a skinny belly. I'm trying to customize a crochet sweater right now.
Reply 6 years ago
The quilt was so worn out, the batting was showing in many areas. I love the quilt and wanted to make something from the good areas - that would last. There was no way to fix the quilt, too many areas were worn. I quilt myself so there is no shortage of appreciation, or quilts, and I have more of hers. I will adjust the description to say that it was worn out. Thank you.
Reply 6 years ago
You should make dog coats from worn out quilts and sell them :) An excellent way to preserve the old quilts & keep dogs warm..win win! I have a GSD girl who would love to be a coat tester, just sayin' :)
6 years ago
love
Reply 6 years ago
thank yoy
6 years ago
cute
6 years ago
Nice! I have two dogs and they are both jack russels. I know that they aren't what you intended but they get cold easily. LOVE IT!!!
6 years ago
Favorited because the dog pics rock!
Reply 6 years ago
Aw, thanks.
6 years ago
Aww!!
Your dogs are sooooo cute!
And the coats look adorable on them!!
I'm gonna make this for my friends weiner dog.
Reply 6 years ago
Thank you - post a pic when you do!
6 years ago
Your dogs are adorable Nina!
Reply 6 years ago
Thank you, they utterly rule my life. That Possum and I disagree all the time on who the pack leader is.
6 years ago
HOLY GOD YOUR DOG IS BEAUTIFUL.
MINE IS COMPLETELY BLACK
sorry for the All-caps but I fell in love.
i didnt even see the tutorial , let me check it haha!
Reply 6 years ago
That me me laugh out loud. Wiener dogs are really difficult stubborn creatures but they are addicting, and they come in so many flavors, um, I mean colors.
6 years ago
your redaction is amazing, oh god your dog has so little fur, why? what? how ? woah its cute so cute.
Best article ever, love your fun facts abour dogs and grannies.
10/10
Reply 6 years ago
I had to look up 'redaction'! Thank you very much.
Possum has so little fur because of his unique color. It's a side effect that some dobermans get as well. I tried using Melatonin as my vet prescribed and in 3 months he had a full coat of wonderful fur like he used to have, then it all disappeared. I have tried 4 different brands but it's never happened again and after two years of a sleepy dog I took him off.
6 years ago
You're right about the breed's background, we have a 16 year old rescue Doxie, and at bedtime she loves to slip under the covers of a sleeping bag we got for her, we call it her "bungalow"- it's that tunneling instinct coming out. ☺
Reply 6 years ago
A sleeping bag eh? I wish I'd thought of that. I never let a dog sleep on the bed until Possum came along, it was so funny to watch him tunnel that I gave in.