How to Make a Raincoat for a Greyhound

While the exact origin of the Greyhound is unknown, this dog has appeared throughout the centuries in art, pottery, literature, and even in the tombs of the ancient pyramids. Since Greyhounds can run up to 45 miles per hour, they are often trained to race and used for their speed. While their long, lean bodies are ideal for racing, their skinny physique makes them sensitive to the cold. Fortunately, these dogs can brave cold climates as long as they wear a coat. Having a raincoat handy will be especially helpful since greyhounds need lots of exercise, rain or shine.

Things You'll Need

  • Old jacket or raincoat
  • Newspaper
  • Pen
  • Sewing machine
  • Thread
  • Straight Pins
  • Sewing scissors
  • Heavy-duty hook and loop fasteners
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Instructions

    • 1

      Trace a two-piece pattern for the raincoat using the newspaper. Either use an existing dog sweater or coat to make the pattern, or make the pattern by draping the newspaper around your dog. One piece of the pattern will be the top of the coat and the other piece will be the bottom of the coat, covering the dog's belly.

    • 2

      Lay the pattern pieces on top of the old jacket and pin it.

    • 3

      Cut around the pattern, adding a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Repeat for the second piece of the pattern.

    • 4

      Pin the two pieces of the jacket together, right sides of the fabric together.

    • 5

      Sew the jacket together using the sewing machine. Make sure to leave a hole in the neck area and not to sew the underbelly where straps of hook and loop fasteners can be added later.

    • 6

      Finish the outer edges as needed by sewing a hem using the sewing machine or finishing the edges with a bias binding.

    • 7

      Sew the looped pieces of the hook and loop fasteners onto the neck area and as underbelly straps of the coat. Try the coat on the dog before sewing on the hooked pieces of hook and loop to ensure their ideal placement, marking the spots with a pen.