[linm]

Last spring, when we first got Corabel & Rupert, the first thing I bought them were raincoats. It rains alot here in Vancouver, so a good raincoat is essential. I bought standard doggy raincoats, the kind that fold over the back and attach under the chin and the belly. I discovered that the guys were so low to the ground that they were getting soaking wet after just a few minutes. A month ago, we took Rupert to an outdoor dog class on a day that was raining heavily. He was absolutely drenched after seconds!

So, I decided that I would build them raincoats! I found a good looking pattern in a Japanese Pattern Book. I don't speak Japanese and have never used a Japanese pattern -- what an experience! A lot of trial and error to get seam allowances, sizes, etc. Even assembly was tough; a pair of doggy pants doesn't look anything like people pants when in pattern form so just recognizing the pattern pieces was a trick!

I decided to build them out of Ultrex (same as Goretex) I had never sewn with it before. Another learning experience. You have to fell finish the seams and heat-seal them with a seam-tape. Tough to do on tiny little pieces! Then, I decided that they should be lined with a microfleece. Because you don't want to make holes in the Ultrex, finding a way to attach the lining took awhile.

All in all, my simple little project took me over 2 weeks to complete! I have finally finished them so before getting them wet (gasp!) we took photos of the guys modeling them. The pants are separate and attach to the jacket with 3 'suspenders' inside. Most of the time, we will use just the jackets and add the pants only on super rainy days or for walks in the woods, etc.

Photos 1 & 2 are the guys in their spiffy new outfits. Photo 3 is to show what they look like from the side and Photo 4 is just because the guys were brushed and the camera was set up!!