My Raincoat Saga!
 

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!!

Wow! You did an amazing job! Are you taking orders??? :D:D:D

OMG, those are absolutely beautiful - you did a fantastic job! Your babies are precious too:D

Quite and impressive undertaking...
 

For your first sewing project! They look fabulous!:)

Those are fantastic!:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: I never got my girls raincoats for the very same reason, I figured that their bellies would get soaked anyway:laugh: But THESE look very promising:)

Please let us all know how these do in the rain:D I'd love to order for my girls if you ever decide to market these:D

WOW! They look so professional!!! You did a great job!! :thumbup: Have you tested them out yet?

What a clever Mommy you are. Those raincoats are fabulous.
You did an awsome job.:thumbup:
I paid $45.00 for a camo one for Buddy and it looks that same, different
print, as the ones you made! Your babies are adorable and look
so stylish in their new rain gear.

great job,

Now all they need are
 

little rubber boots.:D

They are adorable and you did an incredible job on the raincoats!! WOW!! Too cute. :)

What a great job you did ! Thats what we need here in our rainy state ! :)

Wow! Those are the best raincoats I've ever seen! Your babies are georgeous :)

My goodness, you are very talented!! Beautiful work! Let us know if you decide to make these for others. Hopefully, the process would go quicker!!

Beautiful yorkies!! Will they keep the hoods on when you got for a walk??

I agree with the above, you did a phenomenal job. Please let me know how they do in the rain. Put me on the list when you are ready to sew/share your talents for our yorkies :) . This past summer it rained every day for 2 months so I would like to be prepared for next summer. The one I saw at petsmart is cute but a terrible fit for my 2 yorkies. Hurray for Your new found Talents!!

You did a great job! Your furbabies look cute. It looks as though you brought the jackets out of a store. There are a lot of talented people on yt. It looks as though you've been added to the list.:thumbup:

WOW!!! You really need to go into business making these things! Bruce needs one for the weather here in Seattle...You could probably charge a fair penny for such beautiful work!