My Ig wears clothes all winter.
I'd cut away material between the front legs. It's really very narrow
between a dogs front legs. I find most outfits bind there. My dog likes a big, non-restrictive arm hole, that does not inhibit her forward reach.
The "shaking to shift" of the outfit is least when the inside of the outfit is slick material.

Wow Willy, I think you’ve done your magic. That actually does sound relatively easy. So this elastic material – would it be something like spandex or another panel of the neoprene. Or are we talking like real elastic type stuff? You wouldn’t happen to know of a site that I could see it?

And I’m not too sure about the darts. But I could work on the other thing and then maybe get some direction on those.

And thank you so much for idea. It’s a great one and won’t compromise the integrity of the material, like I’m sure my slice would have.

 Quote: betty landercasp

The "shaking to shift" of the outfit is least when the inside of the outfit is slick material.

That's interesting Betty. I wonder if maybe a silky or satin type lining might do the trick. Great thought, you got me thinking. And much like your IG, I'm sure Garrett will appreciate the ease of movement too.

Betty has it right on...a slick lining helps greatly.
It's real elastic...2" wide and 4 way stretch.....don't remember where I got it..try Hancock fabric or JoAnne's

DArts are easy....make them on the outside...fist pinch the extra material where it doesn't meet and then pin/sew a line there..triple stitch it and cut off the rest...

That's so easy to understand Willy and sounds totally doable. I have a sewing machine lined up and need to look for this material.

We don't have the places you mentioned but we do have a Fabricland. I'm going to try and check them out tomorrow.

Again, thank you so much and I'll keep you posted. There'll probably be more questions as I get into this.

No problem!!!!
Keep us posted.

So, I wasn’t able to check out our fabric store yesterday. We had quite a dump of snow and driving around to find a store was just not in the cards. However, I was going to work on getting the vest pulled apart and stop at the store tomorrow when we are going to be in town anyway.

I had the vest and seam ripper and was about to sit down with my morning coffee when Vince insisted the thing in mom’s hand was a demon tool. So I grabbed some treats and we started to play as I marked his sniffing of the ripper. The vest was right there too and he really wanted to play so I thought I’d give him more attention than he wanted and maybe he’d go bug Dad. We played dress up and to my surprise, it fit him!!

I was so shocked. He’s much longer and taller than Garrett but his body shape is just that much sleeker, it fit him perfectly. He too seemed to really like and I let him wear it on our outing today. Check this out.

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/PropertyNov202010028.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/PropertyNov202010025.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/PropertyNov202010015.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/PropertyNov202010031.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/PropertyNov202010038.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/PropertyNov202010012.jpg

So although Vince doesn’t “need” a vest, he really seemed to enjoy having it on and it fit perfectly with no restrictions. It will be getting colder and I guess I’m wondering if it’s advisable to let him have this one. I know when I was showing horses we’d blanket them to keep their winter coats from growing in. And while Vince has his winter coat well established, would this have any effect on thinning it or inhibiting further growth if I was to use it once in a while?

He looks kind of cute in it and that’s the ONLY reason he has it on. Is this a good enough reason to let him wear it? I’m not into dressing up my dogs so either way I’d be totally open to any opinions. But if I found a good use for this one, perhaps I could save myself the work of altering it and get a proper husky one for Garrett.

He looks quite handsome!!!
Wow!!!!
That would be reason enough for me to leave it on him!
I do think it would help with the coat growing in...it makes sense!!!

I didn't want to be rude earlier, but I was thinking that for garret you would do much better with a horse blanket style that had a smooth liner in it.....I just don't think he is going to be happy with the hair getting stuck in the neoprene....a slick liner would help.

http://www.doversaddlery.com
Go here and type dog blanket in the search box......it will bring all kinds up for $40 and under

These are the style I'm talking about.
I used to custom make ones like this, but ...well...custom made to the dog's body....lol

Hope that helps!
Oh,
You can get ones with wide belly bands....

Edited by Willie Tilton (11/21/2010 10:22 AM)
Edit reason: ugggh link

Ahhh… Willie, now see, those look absolutely perfect. Brilliant!! I knew I should have come here first.

And you are so right, the catching of his fluffy fuzz seemed to be constant. Every time he moved, he’d stop and do that little water shake thing. Although he liked the warmth, it’s just not a good choice for him. Vince on the other hand - never shook once. He has a much different, sleeker coat though.

And you so needed to be rude - that’s why I love this site. It may seem offensive at first but it’s ALWAYS in the best interest of the dog. I don’t have enough of an ego to let that kind of stuff bother me. I just like the best advice and this is best place to get it.

So I really like the looks of this one:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/dog-turnout-blanket/p/X1-5407/cn/4742/

But his issue is still going to be this broad chest area. He’s 34 inches. The XL in this is 33 inches. Do you think there would be an inch of wiggle room? And we just had him in to have his cortisol levels checked, which are in perfect range, so no altering of medication, but he’s actually lost 2 pounds – 83 lbs. Vet said he couldn’t be in better shape. He’s just a very stalky built husky. You can easily feel his ribs.

I’d order this today but am not sure I wouldn’t be faced with another dilemma. Do you have any suggestions on which one I should get?

These are fantastic with the nice nylon.....no double girth so if he will be xtra active just sew a belly band on.
http://mybreyerhorses.com/Weatherbeeta-Orican-Dog-Coat/M/B000IXPMUM.htm?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle


That one is great........Things to think about...
It is fleece lined....I think that would be fine.....you can always return it if it's an issue.
It says nylon outer shell...there is nylon and there is nylon..you want that coudura nylon...not the cheap thin stuff..again, return if it's not sturdy.
Great design with the crisscross girths.
Easy to extend the front closure...longer Velcro tabs and if needed sew an extension on the chest under the longer tabs.
Also really easy to sew a belly band/extension to the blanket if needed.
If its the nice nylon, I couldn't make it for that price....so I'd say go for it.

so the link is lame.....
do a search for weatherbeeta dog coats landa or orican or thermo cell.