T krekliņš suņukam

Today I will show you how to take a basic baby t-shirt (or child's t-shirt if you have a larger dog) and turn it into a custom-fitted dog shirt.

Start with a shirt that is a close match to the size of your dog.

STEP ONE:  Turn the shirt inside out and put it on your dog (or a closely-sized stuffed animal, if your dog is not likely to cooperate!).  Remember that the "front," or interesting side, of a dog shirt goes on the dog's back -- so put it on accordingly!

STEP TWO:  Pinch the excess fabric under the dog's belly and pin in place.  If you are doing this on a pet, use safety pins -- or, you could mark with chalk or a disappearing ink marker to with lines on either side to show where to sew.

You will want a close fit.

STEP THREE:  You will want to adjust the length of the shirt to accomodate for "potty time" as necessary.

STEP FOUR:  Carefully remove the shirt.  You will sew exactly along your pins or chalk line, using a long and narrow zig-zag stitch.  (A zig-zag stitch will accomodate a little bit of stretch.)  You will then trim away the excess fabric.  If you are shortening the shirt you can simply cut off the excess or do a quick hem.

Ta-Da!  Doggie's got a new outfit to wear on Valentine's Day!