It has been a very muddy winter. Jay has had more wash downs this year than ever before however this happens when he gets home, in the meantime there’s a muddy wet dog in the boot of the car surrounded by wet muddy towels.
It’s annoying to have the drying towel dragging in the mud as you are trying to dry a wet wriggly dog, so I designed his towelling dressing gown to dry and warm him until we get home.
Using his raincoat as a template (I know, spoilt dog has a wardrobe if his own!), I used two old bath towels for the gown. I laid out the coat on the towels and cut around the silhouette, leaving a seam allowance. I wanted to wrap a piece of towelling underneath him to absorb the mud that flicks up on to his belly. This was a wide strip taken from the remainder of the towels.
I sewed around the edges of the gown leaving the neck and throat edges open so I could turn it to the correct side and the seams would be enclosed. Before sewing I pinned the underbelly strip to the outer coat inside so when the seams were sewn the stripe was attached and the seams were enclosed also.
Jay’s first fitting proved the neckline was a little too snug to get his head through easily. After cutting away the fabric to make a larger hole, I sewed together the front sections around the throat from the inside so once gain the seams were enclosed. For a decorative look and to bring a certain rigidity to the neckline, I bound the front with canvas strapping. It gives shape and something to grab hold of when pulling the coat over Jay’s head. Lastly I sewed a strip of velcro to the underbelly wrap and on the main body of the gown secured the underbelly strip.
With the left over towel pieces and another old towel, I made towelling gauntlets to use to rub down Jay’s muddy legs and feet.
I am pleased with the result and it has been really useful this winter. Doesn’t stop the wet dog smell but at least the boot doesn’t resemble a mud bath!
Jay Dog Designs 