Not Just a Dog Coat: The Story Behind the Marley Davidson Design

Jill Bartlett Author

Apr 14, 2025 |

Learn how a personal memory sparked a bestselling dog vest. Get inspired to design your own custom dog coat with style, fit, and personality.

Designing dog wear that reflects your story—and your dog’s personality

Let’s be honest—most of us aren’t just making dog wear to keep our pups warm.
We’re doing it because we want them to stand out.
Because we want to say, “I made that.”
Because it feels so good to create something that fits them perfectly—and reflects who they are (and maybe who we are too).

I’ve seen it again and again:
People creating not just for function, but for expression.
Something with meaning. Something with style.

That’s exactly how the Marley Davidson vest came to life.

A Memory. A Feeling. A Vest.

Back in my teens and early twenties, I used to ride on the back of a motorcycle.
Along the city streets of Vancouver and on an epic trip down the California coast (which was AMAZING!), I’d hop on the back, helmet on, and hold tight as we sped along winding highways. Since I wasn’t the one steering, I could soak it all in—the rush, the freedom, the edge. I felt bold, adventurous, and totally bad-ass.

Years later, those memories still stick with me—and that feeling? It found its way into my work.

I wanted to create something that felt like that version of me—cool, confident, a little rebellious—and that’s when I started sketching what would become the Marley Davidson dog vest.

I immersed myself in the gritty, rebellious spirit of the 1950s—flipping through vintage motorcycle magazines, studying old biker gang photos, and revisiting movies like The Wild One (1953), with Marlon Brando, and Rebel Without a Cause (1955), with James Dean. But the real design spark came from two specific Harley-Davidson jackets: the Victory Lane Leather Jacket and the Men’s Generations Jacket. Both had that perfect mix of structure and swagger—bold racing stripes, clean lines, and an unapologetically cool attitude. I knew I wanted to bring that same energy to a dog vest.

So I designed bold orange and white racing stripes, a clean, structured silhouette, and a back detail that looked like a zipper flap. But it wasn’t just for looks—it featured a chrome metal D-ring stitched into that “zipper” panel, creating a built-in harness. The panel added the strength needed for leash pulls while keeping the design sleek. I added white topstitching to give it a crisp, edgy vibe. That little detail pulled it all together.

This Wasn’t Just About the Design

When I created the Marley Davidson, it wasn’t just about cool details or bold styling.

It was about capturing a feeling—something personal, something proud.

And here’s the thing: it became my most popular design.
Not because it followed a trend. But because it came from the heart—and somehow, it spoke to other people’s hearts too.

It connected.
With dog parents who saw a bit of themselves in it.
With pups who had that same bold, sassy energy.
With makers who wanted to create something that wasn’t just functional—but was full of personality.

It wasn’t just a vest. It was a vibe.

And I know so many of us are chasing that same feeling.
We’re not creating this because we just want to keep our dog warm and dry.
We’re creating because we want to say:

• “This fits my dog perfectly.”

• “This reflects my style.”

• “I made this myself, and it looks amazing.”

That feeling? It’s everything. It’s what fuels those late nights, do-overs, and ill-fitting garment fixes.

Because you’re not just sewing fabric together.
You’re telling a story—your story and your dog’s.

Sketching Was the Bridge

The Marley Davidson design started as a rough sketch.
I didn’t overthink it. I just followed that feeling.

I drew, erased, re-drew. Shifted lines. Played with placement. Imagined it on different dogs. It was messy, but it helped me see it before I built it.

That’s the power of sketching. Not for perfection—just for vision.
It gives your idea form.
And lets you course-correct before things get complicated.

Want to Bring Your Vision to Life Too?

If you’ve got a design idea floating in your head—or even just a vibe—you want to bring to life, the Plan Your Dog Wear Designs with Confidence planner can help you get started.

Inside, you’ll get:

• Dog outline templates in multiple views (front, side, top, and perspective)

• A creative space to sketch, erase, revise, and explore

• Prompts for fabric choices, closures, and customizations

• Layouts for notes so you can stay organized and inspired

Whether you're creating your first pattern or your fiftieth, this planner helps you move from idea to action—with confidence.

And here’s something that might inspire your process even more:
After years of creating and selling the original Marley Davidson vest as its own standalone design, I eventually looked at my Cozy Coat pattern—my go-to for clean, reliable fit—and thought, why not turn that into a Marley Davidson version too?

With just a few tweaks, the Cozy Coat took on a whole new personality.

That’s the beauty of starting with a solid base: once the foundation is strong, your creativity can take it anywhere.

If you’re curious about how to sew or customize your own Cozy Coat, check out the Pattern or take the Cozy Coat Course. It walks you through every step—from construction to fit to creative variations—so you can bring your own signature version to life.

If This Sounds Like You… You’re Not Alone

If you’ve ever thought:

• “I want to make something that feels like mine.”

• “I have all these ideas, I just need to start.”

• “I want to feel proud of what I create.”

Then you're in good company.

You’re not just a hobbyist.
You’re a designer. A maker. A creative force with a point of view.

And your dog wear? It doesn’t have to be off-the-rack or kind of okay.
It can be bold.
It can be expressive.
It can be yours.

So… What’s Your Marley Davidson?

Maybe yours isn’t a biker vest.

Maybe it’s a bad-ass hoodle.
A retro puffer jacket.
Or something totally new—something no one else has thought of yet.

Whatever it is, don’t let it stay an idea.

Sketch it. Explore it. Make it real.

Download the Design Planner
and give yourself the tools to create something you can be proud of—something that says:
“I made that. And it’s amazing.”

Categories: : Blog, Pattern Making