By now you realize that dog clothing is not just merely a piece of luxury and fashion. It is also a very essential accessory that provides comfort and protection to your dogs. However, most of the sweaters and dog jackets in the local pet supply stores give more importance on the fashion aspect as this looks more appealing and salable. The problem is that they cost a small fortune. But with some patience, you can make a customized dog jacket that best suit your dog's frame and provides protection and warmth to your dog.

The first thing to think about when making a dog jacket is the fabric you will be using. You need to consider the weather in your area and identify the specific use of the dog clothing - whether it will be for rain, snow, or dry cold weather. A good choice will be to have a dog jacket for each kind of weather. For cold or snowy conditions, good sailcloth lined with wool will do. And for rain, sailcloth that has a thin fleece lining will work just fine. You can have fun in deciding the fabric and pick some accessories that will compliment your dog's features. You can even take a look at your favorite coats for inspiration.

The next step is to measure your dog. If the dog feels uneasy with the tape measuring, have someone help you hold your dog still. It's important that you have the measurements right. You also need to decide how wide and long your dog's jacket will be. A rain jacket for example will definitely cover more than a jacket for sun protection. The measurements that you need to note down are the following: circumference of the neck, the wide part of the rib cage, and the length that makes the neck to the base of the tail.

Now it's time to make a pattern for both inner and outer fabric. It's always a great option to have a mock-up or a muslin pattern before you cut the fabric. The shape of the coat will of course depend on the size of your dog. Allot about an inch for the seams.

The part of the coat along his ribs and covers his stomach must fit properly since a longer one will give you a problem every time your dog pees. If you're like most people you will not be excited about the idea of washing the coat every time your dog pees. Measure and cut the muslin to see if it suits your dog right and if some tweaking is needed.

With the pattern in hand, you now cut the fabric. You also need to cut out the lining if you are considering having one. Place the right sides of the fabric and the lining together and stitch all the way until you have around three inches more to go. Then turn the coat right side out to stitch up the hole. Add velcro strips where the belly fabric overlaps and where the chest fabric overlaps.

Finally, it is time to accessorize your dog's coat. You can take some inspirations from magazines and pet shops. You may for instance add a ribbon or any accessory that will highlight the coat to offer a personalized touch. The look will definitely depend on your taste. When you're done, you can look at the jacket and take pride in your skills as a "doggy designer."