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Puppy Poncho Just what every fashion-savvy pooch needs: her own cape for those long walks in the rain. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-129

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Once all the pattern pieces have been cut out, use tape to secure them to the fabric before cutting (this prevents the small holes in the oilcloth that would result from pinning the pieces).

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Cutting Out the Dog Cape Pattern

1. Spread out the two styles of oilcloth and felt on a clean, flat surface.

2. Use blue tape to tape the neck strap pattern onto the oilcloth. For beginning sewers, cut out two neck straps from oilcloth. Remove the neck strap pattern and pin onto the felt. Cut out two felt segments. For advanced sewers, cut out four neck strap segments from oilcloth.

3. Repeat step 2, using the stomach strap pattern segments.

4. Tape the body pattern onto the other oilcloth print. Using pinking shears, cut around the body pattern. Remove the body pattern and pin onto felt if you are a beginning sewer.

5. With regular scissors cut out a felt body pattern. For advanced sewers, tape the body pattern to the other oilcloth print and with regular scissors cut out the body pattern. This will be used as the backing of the cape.

Sewing the Cape

1. Sew the jumbo rickrack to the body pattern with the pinked edges (a zigzag stitch is recommended). You will need to use a curving motion to sew the rickrack along the outside of the body pattern. Set this piece aside.

2. Beginning sewer should place one felt neck strap on top of one oilcloth neck strap; advanced sewers should place two oilcloth neck strap segments with pattern side up on both sides. Sew each side of the strips together, leaving 1/4" edges. Repeat this step to sew together the other neck strap and the stomach straps. You should have four segments at the end of this step.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

3. With pinking shears cut around the edges of each strap to create uniform edges (figure A).

4. Place the felt or oilcloth body pattern backing neck up on the sewing machine. Place one neck strap directly over the top right edge of the body pattern. The strap should lie at a slight upward angle with a 1-1/2" edge over the dog body pattern. Place the rickrack-trimmed body pattern directly over the body pattern backing (figure B). The 1-1/2" edge should lie directly in between the two body pattern shapes. Using the same color thread as the zigzag stitch, sew over the edge of the body pattern 3 " downward to attach the neck strap and the body pattern backing to the front body pattern of the cape. Sew around the neck edge of the cape and repeat this step to attach the second neck strap.

5. Place one stomach strap between the body pattern and the backing; sew the strap into place. Sew around the edge of the cape and attach the second stomach strap directly across from the other stomach strap.

6. Continue sewing around the edge of the cape until the backing is completely attached to the body pattern.

7. Cut out 2" and 3" segments of hook-and-loop tape. You will need two sets of tape for the neck strap and stomach strap. Attach one segment of the tape to the outside of one neck strap and one stomach strap. Hand-sew the tape onto the inside felt side of the opposite strap, or stick it onto the opposite side of each strap if you have used oilcloth (figure C).

Embellishing the Dog Cape

	Figure D
	Figure E

Every dog needs treats at all times. You can make a cute treat pouch to attach to the cape so that she can carry her own goodies on the road.

1. Cut out a large flower from the oilcloth print. Cut out a square of oilcloth a little smaller than the flower. While you slowly sew the bottom of the flower to the square, slightly fold the flower to create darting at the bottom: this will create pouch treat room. Sew each side edge of the flower onto the oilcloth backing.

2. Cut a small piece of hook-and-loop tape for the inside of the pouch and to attach the pouch to the back of the cape (figure D).

3. Add treats! And attach the pocket to back or side of the cape.

4. Cut out small flowers, layer them together and sew to each top side edge of the neck area on the cape for added cuteness factor (figure E).

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Rachel O'Rourke
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