Your pet will be stylin’ when dressed in this handmade stole.
By Terri Blazell
February 2007
My dog doesn’t earn a living. She doesn’t have an agent, never appeared in a movie, doesn’t do rescue work, and, as a guide dog, you’d spend a lot of time standing around fire hydrants. Occasionally she does part-time work as a guard dog, barking at people who ring the doorbell. However, I can’t seem to convince this miniature pinscher that if I’m smiling and letting the visitor in, they do not need to be attacked. She also cleans the carpet if food happens to fall on it, and she gives a lot of love, even more if you are eating popcorn.
But the bottom line is since my dog can’t afford to buy herself fancy clothes and toys, she doesn’t get them. Of course, I do provide for the basics “” dog food, vaccinations, licensing, etc. (I occasionally splurge on a chew toy or two.) My policy did not change when, at an airport recently with some layover time to kill, I wandered into one of those fancy pet boutiques that are all the rage these days thanks to Paris Hilton and her pet chihuahua, Tinkerbell.
If you’ve never been to one of these stores, let me warn you: they do not sell basics, such as food bowls and cans of dog food. These places sell “bling.” You’ll find rhinestone-studded collars, lace tutus, fur-lined suede boots, and much, much more, all for your dog. As I walked through this menagerie of stuff, I saw a hot dog costume for a dachshund and a black tank top with the word “Killer” emblazoned in puffy pink letters and a heart dotting the “i.” I soon found myself imagining how cute my little poochie would look in one thing or another. (Oh, how easily we get sucked in.) Then I saw it: a satin-lined pink faux fur stole with a pearl and rhinestone button. Absolutely adorable! Until I turned the price tag over and saw that it cost $28. I have trouble spending that much on myself, let alone an unemployed miniature pinscher. And yet, I could really picture her in that cute stole.
There was no way I was going to spend that much money on a dog, so I created my own stole. While my version isn’t quite as detailed (no satin lining), it cost far less to make than $28, and there’s no sewing involved. Best of all, you can recycle some of those button covers that were all the rage a few years ago.
Start with a trip to the fabric store for some faux fur. Some stores will let you buy as little as 1/8-yard of fabric, which is all you need for a small dog. If you have a larger dog, use 1/4-yard.
Here’s your materials list:
- 1/8-yard or 1/4-yard of faux fur fabric, any color
- Fbric glue
- Scissors
- Decorative button cover; approximately 1-inch in diameter (you can substitute a real button or even a large clip-on earring, if you like)
Measure and cut the fabric approximately 4 inches longer than your dog’s collar. On my 8-pound miniature pinscher, this came out to be 14-1/2 inches. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise. Carefully run a small bead of fabric glue around the inside edge of the fabric, then press together. Do not use too much glue; add just enough to create a thin seam. Too much glue, once dried, will make the fabric scratchy around your dog’s neck.
Once the glue has dried, fold one end of the collar over so it overlaps the other side by 2 inches. With the scissors, cut a small 1/2-inch slit in the fabric in the center of the folded part to make a 1-inch buttonhole, cutting all the way through both sides of the fabric.
Unfold the fabric and carefully place a very thin bead of fabric glue around the inside of the hole, sealing the raw edges of the buttonhole together. Let this dry.
On the other end of the collar, approximately 1-1/2 inches from the edge, lift the fabric so it is separated from the fabric on the back. This is a little tricky. Make two 1/4-inch-to-1/2-inch slits (depending on the width of your button cover back), approximately 1/4-inch apart, one above the other. Cut through one side of the fabric, not all the way through. This is where you will place your button cover. Slip the back of the button cover through the top hole, then back out through the bottom hole, and snap the cover closed. Do the same if you are using an earring instead of the button cover.
Bring both ends of the collar together and button. It should be just loose enough to slip over your dog’s head, but if it doesn’t, the collar can be buttoned around instead. If you would rather sew this project, follow the same instructions, but sew wherever it calls for fabric glue. Sew on the button as well.
Before putting the new faux fur stole on your pooch or kitty, check all the edges carefully to make sure there are no scratchy sections from the dried glue. If you do find some rough edges, trim them off with scissors. And while we’re on the subject of collars, make a habit of regularly checking your pet’s everyday collar for loose threads. Most collars are sewn with nylon thread. When it comes loose, it can poke your dog in the neck similar to a very scratchy shirt tag or, worse, a straight pin. Imagine wearing a blouse with a scratchy neck label 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If the loose threading can’t be trimmed, buy a new collar.
There should be plenty of fabric left over to make more than one collar, or maybe matching leg warmers and a hat. If you have a male pet, instead of faux fur, choose some of the new faux leathers and a masculine button cover, such as a pewter star or a leather-covered one. Now your pet is ready for the runway or the next rally pet parade.