Nell, can I ask about pippins clothes? I want to start making my dog clothes but have no idea where to start! Did you have a pattern to follow or did you measure as you went along? Also, have you done any with waterproof material, and if so, how did you find it to work with? I sew by hand and I'm concerned it might be difficult with that kind of material. Thanks!
ohai! of course you can ask! I love talking about this :D
I had a pattern to start with, that I bought from a swedish pet shop online. it's really simple though and I'm sure there are lots of versions online you could find and print. I've made enough suits for pip now to know where the pattern needs altering to fit him better and make sure he doesn't (for example) pee on the part over his tummy or how long the legs need to be to cover properly and keep him warm but so that he doesn't step on them all the time.
but the first time I made anything for him I made a cover with a strap around his neck and another around his tummy and that time I just kind of held it over him as I went along (he wasn't too happy about that hah) to see if it'd fit. but yeah with more "advanced" clothes like shirts or suits I'd definitely suggest a pattern to start with.
I haven't sewn with waterproof material yet, no, though I plan to. I can imagine that it'd be quite a pain to sew by hand... if it's like silk or another kind of woven fabric that's sort of rigid it's likely to fray and if you can't trim the edges like you would with a machine maybe it'd be more trouble than it's worth? but I couldn't really say for sure. if you sew with fleece or sweatshirt fabric, like a lot of the suits I make for pip are made of, you'll have more allowance. :)
any other questions just let me know!