There are so many useful accessories to make for dogs in general in addition to practical hats, coats, and fashionable bandanas; there are reflective stripped coats for high-visibility during a night-time walk, cooling bandanas to beat the summer heat, life-vests for the boating canine, boots for paw-protection in difficult hiking terrain as well as protection from the heat of pavement, medical conditions, or just for the senior dog for more traction on slippy wood or vinyl flooring, fleece-backed vinyl slickers for rain protective gear, cushy beds, snuggle sacks, pet carriers - the list goes on. Many free DIY patterns to make these items can easily be found online.

Consider sewing a coat for your canine friend. Measure their back length from the collar to the base of the tail. In general a body length of 6-inches to 8-inches would be extra-small; 8-inches to 10-inches small; 12-inches to 14-inches medium; any length longer than 14-inches would be large or extra large. By weight 6-14 lbs. would be considered extra-small; 14-26 lbs. small, 26-50 lbs. medium; 50-85 lbs. large and 85 lbs. and over extra-large. Be sure and take a chest measurement around the widest part of the chest. Craft a template from appropriate dimensions. An hour-glass shape is a simple shape that will work for most breeds. Add a wide band shape to either side of the template. Fabric choices to make the coat can be thick fleece fabric doubled or even denim jeans fabric to be lined with wool or an old blanket can be used for lining. A two-inch strip of hook and loop tape on the chest band ends completes the look and makes the coat secure.

Sewing a K-9 hat with visor for your dog will do more than label them as pretty canine fashionista or pampered pup as the hat will comfortably shade your pet's eyes from the summer sun's intense rays and can also be soaked in water to provide cooling comfort. Purchased patterns are available however, it is possible to adapt an existing people hat with visor for your companion by creating a cutouts for ears and adding firm elastic with hook and loop tape on the ends to secure.

Our canine companions give so much to us - loyalty, love and friendship, assistance, piece of mind, dedicated service, add years of happiness to our lives and teach us patience. In turn we can use our sewing skills to craft them a little comfort. Search the web for ideas as many items can be made simply, quickly, and for little cost. Often fabric scraps saved are waiting for just such a project.

Purchased patterns all have many charming yet easy designs to choose from to sew dog coats, hats, whimsical beds, and accessories for our canine companions.

Sew happy, sew inspired.