Winters not only are cold for us but do chill our pets too. Do not be under the impression that your Spotâs thick fur coats are enough to keep them warm. You can shop winter coats or sweaters for your dog but why not try some recycled stuffs for your pet. This may not only save you money but will keep your pooch warm during winter as well. Why not make a sweater from recycled wool for your dog?
Refashioning your old sweaters into your poochâs sweater is an easy as well as creative task. You would not believe how your waste sweater gets transformed in a brand new canine couture!
Difficulty level: Moderate (requires basic knowledge)
Time required: 4-5 hours (depending on your expertise)
Resources required
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Old sweater
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Measuring tape
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Scissors
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Chalk
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Needle
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Thread
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Pins
Estimate cost: Making a recycled sweater for your pooch will cost you nothing.
Instructions
Step 1
Firstly begin by measuring your pet. The measurements you need to take are:
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Your pets neck circumference + 1 inch is (A)
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Its chest circumference (measuring right behind the front legs) + 1 inch is (B)
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Length from collar or the neck to tail + 1/2 inch is (C)
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Underside length from collar to end + 1 inch is (D)
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Length from collar down to front leg is (E), and
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Half of the front leg circumference is (F)
Step 2
Take your old sweater and cut out pieces. Make use of the bottom ridge or the finished bottom of the sweater as the neckline. Cut out a rectangular part using the measure of (A) widthwise and (C) lengthwise. Now cut a triangle that has width, which is a difference of (A) and (B) + 1 inch and take (D) as the triangles length. This triangle will be used as the sweaterâs under piece. Now cut off the neck part of the original sweater that can be used as the finishing back edge, if required. You can also hem that part instead.
Step 3
Now once the cutting part is done, you can start with the stitching work. Firstly, the triangular piece to the main body piece, attaching its right sides together ensuring that point of the triangle is lined up with the beginning of the neck rib. In case you do not have a neck rib, then pin it an inch down from the neck edge. Now also a pin at (E) and the second one at (F), measured from (E), which will indicate the opening around the leg.
Remember you sew with a half inch of seam allowance using small zigzag or a stretch stitch. Start sewing from the point of the triangle, then again back stitch it. Now proceed towards the leg opening and stitch it back again. Skip the part of the leg opening and now repeat the same for the other half of the seam. Pin the triangle to the other side of the sweater and sew it in the same way.
Step 4
Subsequently, you finish the edges around the leg opening. Make use of a zigzag stitch to sew the sides of the seam allowance along the body of the sweater from the wrong side. Continue doing the same around the leg opening, hemming it in the procedure. This supports the seam as well as protects the edges from coming out. Repeat the same procedure for the rest three seam allowances.
Step 5
Finally, finish the back edge. Cut the corners so they become rounded and merge with the underside edge. You can either hem the edge or sew on some ribbing as you would want it to look. Your dogâs sweater is now ready, and you can bet that it would look far better on your pooch than it ever did on some one.
Frequently asked question
Q. The back edge of the sweater is not same as the underside?
Ans. Most of the times the back edges would not be same as the underside needs to be shorter than the top, especially in case of male dogs.
Quick tips
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You can also make additional embroidery designs, if your want to make the new sweater more funky. You can also use buttons and additional accessories to beautify the sweater especially if you have a female dog.
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You can also add patches and appliques as well as embroider your dog’s name on to the sweater to make it look unique.
Things to watch out for
If using a fabric that is bit heavier, make sure to use a needle and thread that go with the weight of the fabric. It is recommended that you use a heavy-duty thread along with a denim needle for such fabrics. On a machine, choose the stitch pattern and also the tension that could be suitable for your fabric. A zigzag stitch offers more durability at the same time a decorative appeal to the cloth.
