Designing for a dinky Dachshund

LET’S MEET KATHY & MIA

Kathy was one of my first sewing students over 8 years ago when I first held my sewing classes from my first house in East Belfast. She had made a cute red wrap over skirt with buttons and bias binding detail. I remembered it well.

Fast forward a few years, and with big changes in both our lives, it was lovely to welcome Kathy back to my sewing classes and to catch up.

She now has 2 beautiful daughters that she loves to sew for and craft with creating costumes for parties, school events and much more. One of her daughters learnt to sew hair scrunchies to sell at her school fair – an entrepreneur in the making!

With the seasons changing and Autumn and Winter rolling in, Kathy decided to make a new coat for her adorable mini Dachshund, Mia. Kathy had a much loved classic yellow waterproof coat from Regatta with a nautical navy and white jersey lining. Kathy had worn it through many rainstorms in Ireland and we see her enjoying a music festival with her friend wearing her bright yellow coat.

After a snowstorm, Kathy decided it was time to transform her much loved coat into a new design for Mia. After unpicking and dissecting her coat into panels big enough to cut the new design from it was time to get stitching. Kathy kept aside the pockets and zips from the coat for another project another time.

She reused both the main yellow fabric and the stripy lining for Mia’s coat.

This photograph shows Mia in my sewing studio getting fitted for her coat before Kathy sewed the next steps.

SEWING THE COAT

The fabric is waterproof and therefore had a coating on it. A heavier needle size was required to go through the layers. The stretch jersey stripy lining was prepared with interfacing to ensure it was supported in the garment.

Kathy did all her cutting out first, then threaded up her Brother Innov-is F20 sewing machine to create the coat. Kathy used a downloaded PDF pattern.

We had a lovely treat at our Intermediate Sewing course morning session when Mia came to class. She was so well behaved and even helped Kathy sew. I think it was all too much for her and she needed a nap.

Kathy added velcro to close at the neck and a buttonhole to let the lead strap in. It was such a great idea to recycle her coat in this way!

Now it was time to test out the coat and with Storm Darragh on its way, Mia was wrapped up and ready to brave the elements!

I have always loved the traditional waterproof Fisherman’s colours of a yellow souwester.

The design was such a success that Kathy used the pattern to make a Harry Potter cape. This pattern is so adaptable! Just by changing the fabrics, and design elements new styles can be created.

You can follow more of Kathy’s creative projects on Instagram @kathy.loves.to.craft

HAVE KATHY & MIA INSPIRED YOU TO START SEWING for your pet?

Colour and Cloth teach all levels of Sewing Courses and Workshops so no matter what level you are at, there is no better time to start than now. How to sew styles like Kathy starts with learning how to thread your machine and then you are on your creative journey. The new dates for our Sewing Courses launch on December 12th.

This SIMPLICITY 1578 sewing pattern is a great style that can be adapted for different dogs. My sewing course are not just for dressmaking: if you have a pet project you wish to make then bring it along! We cater for everyone : 2 legs, 4 legs or adaptable designs. If you have an idea to start your own pet design, or perhaps have an animal that requires adaptable clothing then get in touch – I can make it happen for you. Sewing isn’t just for humans!

Many students that have created for their pets include : Karen, Rosie, Shauna, Kathy, Stephen and Claire. Karen made adaptable dog coats for her 2 rescued pups. Shauna @shauna_thefairydogmother made a top for herself but plans to design her own range of pet products that her skills will help her with. Stephen made a quilted dog coat and a personalised harness for his dachshund Gretel. Claire joined my Beginners class to make changing mats for her Veterinary Rehabilitation company ‘Vet Rehab NI’. Rosie used the skills learnt at her Beginner course to increase her product range for her business ‘All About Enrichment’