Customer Reviews

Canine Couture Dog Coats (Leisure Arts #4308)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are a sewer and a dog lover, this book is for you. It contains 16 outfits in which to dress up your favorite friend.

There are two basic patterns from which all the projects are created. The pattern is provided in a pull-out section in the center of the book. General instructions are given before the individual projects. Each project has several views of the coat - all modeled by a different favorite friend - and the instructions that are particular to the coat you are making.

There are all types of coats from a day in the park to a coat for a party. And, of course, no coat is complete without a scarf to set it off. This pattern is also included.

So grab some fabric, the measurements of your favorite friend and start sewing.

Canine Couture is a perfect example of a book with many possibilities for the creative mind. I bought the book expecting the usual patterns for dog wear, hoping to glean a few ideas and improve upon them. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the author Linda Gillum, had already done this for me! Using three basic patterns for coats and tee shirts and one for bandanas, she gives the reader insight into how to produce elegant dresses, funny little jackets, a variety of bandanas, and much, much more. I use her patterns nearly every time I want to create something new and unusual. I highly recommend this book if you want to be creative without infringing on someone else's ideas. Beautiful pictures and clear instructions also help to balance this book.

This is a very good book, very easy to understand and includes patrons in all sizes to start making the clothes for the doggies.
For me is very usefull!

I bought another book and realized when I got it was just dog costumes, and I wanted to make everyday clothes. This book has pull out patterns in all sizes for coats, t-shirts, sweatshirts and a couple of other items. I would give it a five but I thought some of the directions were a bit confusing. But if you are looking to make clothes for your dog and want patterns, definitely give this book a shot.

This book is wonderful. The instructions are very clear, with full size patterns for all sizes. Great ideas for customizing the coats...

Take a basic pattern and then show several options, that's basically what this book does. The ideas are cute, the instructions clear, and the end result adorable.

This book is visually attractive and has good photos of its many dog coats, t-shirts, scarves, and dresses. The photos show the animals from several different angles, which is useful for seeing how comfortable the fit will be. All of the photos are taken on dogs that weigh about 10-15 pounds, which pretty much qualifies as the "small" size here. Instructions are included for med. and lg. as well, but as 2 other reviewers have pointed out, not for teacup-size or for very large breeds. The sewing level is fairly easy; if you have made simple items of clothing for children or for yourself, then these dog coats should be no problem. The choice of fabrics and designs are very cute, better in my opinion than one normally sees in printed patterns, such as those from Simplicity or McCalls. However, if the pattern and instructions are important to you, it may be better to buy one of the commercial patterns instead, or in addition to, this book.

It's too bad that 2 reviewers felt it was impossible to adapt the patterns in this book for very small or large dogs. It's not really that hard, and there are instructions here for measuring your dog in order to suit the patterns to individual animals. I've made dog coats for tiny animals (2.5 lbs) up to an 88-lb. boxer, and I have only 3 basic patterns that I simply adapt by using 3 measurements: neck size, tail-collar length, and chest size. Dachshunds also present some challenges, but again with these 3 measurements, the patterns in this book can be adapted. If you're unsure, make a cloth pattern first by cutting up an old pillow case or any piece of scrap fabric and trying it on the dog.

Bottom line: there is a lot of inspiration available here from the combinations of fabrics, and if you're interested in a t-shirt pattern, this is the best one I've seen. (It has a raglan sleeve which would be much more comfortable for the dog than the standard inset sleeve.) The t-shirt pattern was in fact the main reason I bought this book, but I'm glad to have it for the photos and inspiration too.

the patterns could have been more detailed,
But, its agood place to start from Photos are a great help and for the price it is a great deal

I've been sewing doggie coats ever since I owned a 60+ lb pointer and couldn't find ANYthing to fit her. This book has some cute idea's. They have 3 basic patterns that they use and all coat variations stem from the 3 basic patterns. There is a coat with strap attached, a coat with strap sewn on separately, and a t-shirt pattern. Then, there are fun variations to go with each. I really like this book. The only reason I'm not giving this more than 3 stars is that it still doesn't address the problem of sewing for a large breed dog. I now have a medium 45 lb dog (about the size of a Beagle) and she fits into what the book considers a size XL. That is their biggest pattern in book. I am presently sewing a coat for a friends skinny Golden Retriever. I've had to make the pattern myself to fit her, and am going to adapt one of the idea's from the book to work for the pattern I've made. They have fun idea's in here that I like....(two toned cowboy style coat, PJs, robe, party dress, and this handsome denim coat you see on the cover, to name a few...) For all that, I'm happy with my purchase. Most other craft books that give dog coat ideas, really just give your plain & basic one.

This book more than surpassed my expectations. It has instructions, many color illustrations, and multi-sized patterns for dog coats and dresses. There are actually only 3 basic patterns, but it shows many ways to modify them to make totally different, one of a kind outfits. The instructions are clear and easy to understand. There are 2 large pull out sheets of patterns, not just small drawings that you have to try to enlarge using graph paper. I would suggest tracing the patterns on another piece of paper, so you have the origional should your dog grow or you wish to sew for another dog. I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to sew an outfit for their dog. It is great for beginners as well as experienced seamstresses.