DIY Maltese Dog Clothing

Maltese, because of their tiny size, often need an extra layer of warmth for walks and other outdoor excursions. Even a maltese with show-length fur may appreciate a coat or hoodie on cold winter mornings. In addition, a good dog raincoat will help protect all that white fur from the mud. Dog clothes from the pet supply store are expensive and may not fit your dog. With a few measurements, you can create a basic pattern for your maltese's homemade wardrobe.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors
  • Unbleached muslin
  • Newspaper
  • Thread
  • Needles
  • Sewing machine
  • Pins
  • Fabric for dog clothes
  • Velcro
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your maltese. With the measuring tape, determine the length of your dog's back from his shoulder blades to the base of his tail. Measure his underside from his collar to his last ribs -- this will determine the maximum length and underside of his new clothes. Measure around the widest part of his ribs. Measure between his front legs to determine the width of the underside or "front" piece of the coat. Measure from his collar to his legs to know where to put the "sleeve" holes.

    • 2

      Draw a basic pattern. On a sheet of newspaper, mark the length of your maltese's back and the width around her ribs plus 1/2 inch along each side for seam allowance to create a rectangle. This is the basic back pattern for your dog's new wardrobe. Draw another rectangle the length of the collar to the base of the ribs and the width of the space between her front legs plus another 1/2 inch for seam allowance. This is the basic pattern for the bottom or "front" of your dog's new wardrobe.

    • 3

      Modify the pattern to fit. Trace the rectangles onto your muslin fabric and cut them out. Hand stitch along the long sides, leaving a 2-inch non-stitched gap on each side for your maltese's front legs to go through.

    • 4

      Try the mock outfit on your dog. Slide the muslin coat on your dog and check the fit. Trim or make notes to enlarge your pattern as needed. Remove the muslin pattern from your maltese. If you need to change the pattern size, do so, stitch together as above and try it on your dog again.

    • 5

      Remove the stitches. Once you have a muslin pattern that fits your dog, remove it and carefully pick or snip out your stitches. You now have the basic pattern for your maltese's wardrobe.

    • 6

      Choose your dog's wardrobe fabrics. Decide what your first item of clothing will be for your maltese. For a winter coat, choose a warm fabric like fleece; for a raincoat, choose a water-repelling fabric like duck cloth.

    • 7

      Make the outfit. Stitch as you did the pattern but cut open the "front" or bottom rectangle in half lengthwise to make the garment easier to put on your dog. Hem all edges 1/4 inch.

    • 8

      Add fasteners. Sew velcro tabs to both sides of the front opening to keep your maltese's coat snug.