From Fabric to Pattern: The Story Behind the Cottage Comforts Coat

Jill Bartlett Author

May 13, 2025 |

Follow journey from fabric to sellable dog coat pattern – sketch, grade, digitize, & package – includes free sketch templates – for aspiring designers

Have you ever had a moment when a piece of fabric brings you right back to a memory?

That happened to me a while ago while wandering the aisles of a fabric store. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but then I saw it – a bolt of red plaid fleece.

In an instant, I was back with my mum. She had this red plaid jacket she wore for years. It was soft and warm, and every time I wrapped myself in it, it felt like the safest, coziest place in the world. After she passed away, wearing that jacket felt like getting a warm hug from her.

So when I saw that red plaid fleece, I knew I had to make something out of it. Not just for me – but for Scout. And that’s how the Cottage Comforts Coat came to be – a design born from a memory, a feeling, and one simple piece of fabric.

Creating Something More Than a Coat

Designing the Cottage Comforts Coat wasn’t just about making a dog coat. It was about capturing that warm, cozy feeling – and turning it into something tangible.

I started with my Cozy Coat base pattern. It’s the pattern I go to when I want to play around with new design elements without reinventing the wheel. This time, I wanted to tweak a few things:

• Swap the Velcro belly band for a zipper.

• Add some extra ease around the neck to make room for the faux sheepskin collar.

• Use elastic in the belly band to keep the fit snug but not too tight.

But before I started sketching, I pulled out my base pattern. That way, I could see how the pieces were structured and decide where to make adjustments.

Sketching Out the Design

When I start sketching, I keep it simple. I use templates – at least the front and side views – to map out the major elements. And because I use pencil, I can easily adjust and refine without losing the structure.

For the Cottage Comforts Coat, the sketching process was all about those small decisions:

• Should the zipper run along the back or down the belly?

• Would the collar look better lined with faux sheepskin or left as fleece?

• How much extra ease would I need for that thicker collar lining?

If you’re working on a design idea and need a starting point, I’ve put together the same front and side templates I use. You can download them here and start sketching out your own dog coat design.

Measuring Beyond the Basics

With the sketch mapped out, it was time to measure. And I’m not just talking about the basics – chest circumference, back length, and neck circumference.

For the Cottage Comforts Coat, the modifications meant I needed to go deeper. I use a 10-step measuring process that takes everything into account, from neck to withers to belly length.

• I added extra width in the collar to accommodate the faux sheepskin lining.

• Adjusted the belly band placement to make room for the zipper without creating bulk.

• Measured the belly length to ensure it wouldn’t interfere with a dog’s movement – or peeing.

I started with a hand-drawn paper pattern and tested it on Scout. It wasn’t perfect on the first go – the zipper puckered, the collar was too tight, and the elastic band sat too low. But after a few tweaks, it started to come together.

Scaling for Different Sizes

Once I got the fit right for Scout, it was time to think about other sizes.

Grading a pattern isn’t just about making something bigger or smaller. It’s about keeping that cozy, snug feel while making sure the design works for everything from a tiny Chihuahua to a big Great Dane.

• The collar width needed to maintain that close fit, even as it scaled up.

• The belly band had to stay in the right position – not so far back that it interfered with movement, but not too close to the front legs either.

• The zipper needed to remain functional without puckering or pulling.

Grading is one of the core skills I teach in From Patterns to Profits because once you know how to do it, you can take a single design and adapt it to almost any size. And that size chart you create? It becomes a tool you can use for every new design.

Digitizing for Print & Sale

Now that the Cottage Comforts Coat was graded for multiple sizes, it was time to digitize the pattern.

Since I wanted to sell the pattern, it needed to be printable and easy to follow. In my course, I teach how to take a hand-drawn pattern, trace it in Illustrator, and clean up the lines to make it easy to print and share.

For the Cottage Comforts Coat, digitizing was crucial because it allowed me to:

• Label each piece – collar, belly band, main body – clearly.

• Add notches, darts, and cut lines so everything lined up.

• Include instructions for zipper placement, elastic casings, and lining the collar.

If you’re planning to sell your patterns, digitizing is a step you can’t skip. It’s what takes your design from a personal project to a professional product.

Bringing It All Together

With the digital pattern ready, it was time to package it up – and that meant making it look as good as it felt.

• I designed a cover page with a cozy, warm vibe – one that captured the feeling of that red plaid fabric and those memories with my Mum.

• The instruction guide was laid out step-by-step, with notes on zipper placement, elastic casing, and faux sheepskin lining.

• And of course, I included a size chart so makers could easily find the right fit for their dog.

When you package your pattern, think of it as a story in fabric. Each piece – the cover, the instructions, the photos – should reflect the heart behind the design.

Launch Day: A Memory in Every Stitch

The day I launched the Cottage Comforts Coat, I posted a photo of Scout in her new coat – all wrapped up in that red plaid fleece, standing in a snowy forest.

It wasn’t just a product shot. It was a moment – one that captured the warmth of my Mum’s jacket, the love I felt for Scout, and the feeling I wanted to share with anyone who made the coat for their own dog.

Because at the end of the day, people don’t just buy patterns.
They buy stories, memories, and the chance to create something that means something.

Ready to Create Your Own Cozy Design?

If you’re sitting on a design idea, don’t let it stay in your head.
Download the Dog Coat Sketch Templates and start mapping it out. It doesn’t have to be perfect – it just has to begin.

And if you’re ready to take your idea to the next level – to learn how to grade, digitize, and package your pattern for sale – join me in From Patterns to Profits. Enrollment is open now, and I’d love to see what you create.

👉 Download the Sketch Templates
👉 Join From Patterns to Profits
🎧 Listen to this episode on Podcast 

Categories: : Business, Pattern Making, Sewing