Episode #6 - Advanced Measuring Techniques for Pattern Designers

[00:00:00:00] You take the time to design the coat. You measure. You sew. You put it on the dog — and it rides up, pulls across the chest, or just doesn’t fit right. If you’ve been there, you know how frustrating it is.

[00:00:10:00] The truth is, most dog wear fit issues aren’t caused by bad sewing. They’re caused by invisible measuring mistakes — the ones that only show up after hours of work.

[00:00:18:00] You can’t create a great dog coat with "good enough" measurements. Neck, chest, and back length alone? They only tell half the story. Today, I’m going to talk about the missing link — and how a few extra steps can completely change your designs, your confidence, and your results.

[00:00:30:11] Hey, I’m Jill Bartlett — dog wear designer, educator, and the creator behind Thank Dog We Made It, the online hub for dog wear enthusiasts. This podcast is where we dive into what really goes into designing for dogs — from mastering the tech to turning your creative ideas into patterns people actually want to buy.

[00:00:47:00] I’ve been designing dog wear for over a decade now, and most of what I’ve learned came from real-world experience — figuring things out the messy way, through trial, error, and a lot of determination. If you’re ready to skip some of the hardest lessons and level up faster, you’re in the right place.

[00:01:00:00] [Spring Giveaway Notice — Final Week Reminder]

[00:01:10:00] When I first started sewing dog coats, basic designs weren’t really a problem. I quickly figured out how to get a great fit using the standard three measurements: neck circumference, chest circumference, and back length.

[00:01:20:00] After a few coats, I realized that adding the Withers point — the spot on a dog’s back right above the front legs — made a huge difference. You can find the Withers by drawing an imaginary line straight up from behind the front legs to the spine.

[00:01:34:00] Getting that measurement right helped me position the belly band properly and stopped the coat from riding up or shifting when the dog moved. For simple designs, that system worked beautifully.

[00:01:45:00] But as I started developing more complex patterns — designs with fitted chest panels, leg openings, and tailored shaping — I ran into a new problem: the standard measurements weren’t enough.

[00:01:55:00] There was no guide, no book, no cheat sheet out there explaining how to measure for these more detailed designs. So I had to create my own system through hundreds of fittings, sewing tests, and lots of trial and error.

[00:02:10:00] I built a 10-step measuring process that captures the critical points most people miss — things like chest width, neck to withers, front height, belly length, and coat length. These give a better fit and better movement without restricting the dog.

[00:02:30:00] And here's something important: Better measuring doesn’t mean creating custom-fit coats for every individual dog. I actually tried that — and it was a terrible decision. It’s exhausting, inefficient, and almost impossible to scale.

[00:02:45:00] Instead, better measuring helps you design smarter patterns — ones that include extra ease where dogs need room, use Velcro, snaps, or elastic for flexibility, and have clear adjustment points for easy tweaking.

[00:03:00:00] By understanding a dog’s structure better, you can build flexibility right into your designs. It’s about adapting to a variety of real-world dog bodies — and that’s what makes your designs stand out in the market.

[00:03:15:00] Measurements like front height and withers position made a huge difference for breeds like Dobermans and deep-chested dogs. It completely changed the way I designed coats for movement and comfort.

[00:03:30:00] If you want to start creating better-fitting, more professional dog wear designs, I’ve got a free resource for you: the 10-Step Measuring Workbook and Video Guide. You’ll get a printable workbook and a full video series showing you exactly how to find each key measurement.

[00:03:50:00] You can download it for free — the link is in the show notes! And if you want to dive deeper, check out the full blog post linked below as well.

[00:04:00:00] If you have any questions about designing or making dog wear, feel free to DM me on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook — @thankdogwemadeit — or email me at jill@thankdogwemadeit.com. I’d love to hear from you!

[00:04:15:00] Thanks so much for listening today. Remember, great dog wear design doesn’t just happen at the sewing machine — it starts with how you understand the dog, the fit, and the creative process behind your designs.

[00:04:30:00] Talk to you soon — and wherever you are in your journey, keep bringing your dog wear ideas to life. That’s what Thank Dog We Made It is all about.