In this episode, Jill shares the heartfelt story behind the Cottage Comforts coat – a design inspired by her late mother’s cozy red plaid jacket. From that first spark of inspiration to creating a pattern that others can sew, Jill walks through the entire process of bringing a dog wear design to life.Links & Resources:

• 📏 Download the Free Dog Coat Sketch Templates – Get started with your own design using these simple front and side templates. Perfect for sketching out your next dog wear idea. Download Here
• ✨ From Patterns to Profits Course – Ready to take your designs further? Learn how to grade, digitize, and package your patterns to sell. Join the Course Here

If you’ve ever tweaked a dog wear pattern, imagined your own design, or thought, “Someone should totally make a pattern for this,”—this episode is for you.
Jill shares how running a monthly pattern membership opened her eyes to the moment people shift from maker to designer—and how you might already be further along than you think.Links & Resources:🎓 Join the Patterns to Profits waitlist:⁠https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/patterns-to-profits⁠🖥️ Free Illustrator Cheat Sheet for Pattern Makers⁠:https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/f/illustrator-cheat-sheet-for-pattern-makers

✨ Episode SummaryYou measure carefully, sew everything beautifully — and somehow, the coat still doesn’t fit right.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
In today’s episode, I’m sharing how basic measurements like neck, chest, and back length only tell half the story — and why adding a few extra steps to your measuring process can completely transform the fit, comfort, and adaptability of your designs.
Whether you’re making simple coats or developing more advanced patterns, this episode will help you see why better measuring is the key to better design.

• Why most dog wear fit issues aren't caused by bad sewing
• The critical moment I realized standard measurements weren’t enough
• How finding the Withers point changed everything
• What the 10-Step Measuring System includes — and why it matters
• Why smarter pattern design is better than custom-fitting every dog
• How better measuring leads to flexibility, adjustability, and more professional patterns
• Real-world examples of how measurements like front height and withers position affect coat fit

Here are a few key moments from this episode:

• [00:00] – Why your careful measuring might still lead to bad fit
  I share the hidden mistakes that cause so many fitting issues.
• [00:30] – The missing piece in basic dog measurements
  Why neck, chest, and back length don't tell the full story.
• [01:52] – Quick Spring Giveaway reminder: Final week to enter!
  Your last chance to win full access to the Cozy Coat Course and Hack Pack.
• [02:49] – The breakthrough: discovering the Withers point
  How one extra measurement made my early designs fit better.
• [03:50] – Why I had to create my own 10-step system
  No guidebooks existed — so I built my own system through real-world fittings and trial and error.
• [05:19] – Smarter pattern design vs. custom-fitting every dog
  Why better measuring leads to flexible, scalable patterns (and a much better business model).
• [06:48] – Real-life examples: Dobermans, deep-chested dogs, and why extra measurements matter
  How understanding structure can completely change how a coat fits.
• [07:51] – Your next step: Grab the free 10-Step Measuring Workbook and Video Guide
  A free printable workbook and full video series to help you measure like a pro.

Download the Free 10-Step Measuring Workbook and Video Guide
https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/f/dog-wear-measurements-made-easyRead the Full Blog Post:
thankdogwemadeit.com/blog/10-steps-to-better-fitting-dog-wear-master-measuring-like-a-proConnect with me:
Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook — @thankdogwemadeit
Or email me directly at [email protected]

Ever finished sewing a dog coat and thought, “Next time, I’d make the belly band longer” or “I wish this had pockets”?That little voice? That’s your inner designer—and this episode is all about giving it a microphone.In this episode, I’m walking you through the idea of pattern hacking—what it means, how it helped me transition from maker to designer, and how you can start making bolder, more personal design decisions with every pattern you touch.You’ll hear the story of my very first hack (spoiler: it involved a too-short coat, a skirt, and a totally unnecessary but totally rebel hoodie shat), and how that one tweak led to a whole new way of designing for dogs—including my Easy Rider fringe jacket and the best-selling Alpine Coat with built-in harness.If you’ve ever felt like a pattern didn’t quite fit your vision, or if you're ready to move from “maker” to “designer,” this episode will give you both inspiration and permission to do just that.

• Why small tweaks = big design confidence
• Examples of beginner-friendly dog coat hacks
• How I turned one base pattern into several best-sellers
• Why identity-driven design matters more than “perfect” sewing
• The mindset shift that helped me build my business

📏 Grab the Measuring Guide + Workbook
The method I developed after learning the hard way that Scout was longer than most dogs.
➡️ https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/f/4-step-measuring-workbook🎨 Download the Free Cozy Coat Hack Pack
A printable design board, dog sketch templates, and real Cozy Coat hack examples to get your creativity flowing.
➡️ https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/f/hack-pack🧵 Get the Cozy Coat Pattern
My go-to base pattern for all sorts of design experiments.
➡️ https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/courses/category/patterns🎓 Explore the Cozy Coat Course
Get the full pattern plus step-by-step lessons on measuring, sewing, and customizing your coat.
➡️ https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/courses/cozy-coat-course📝 Read the Full Blog Post for This Episode
Prefer reading? Catch all the highlights and inspiration from this episode in blog form.
➡️ https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/blog/hack-your-patternHave you hacked one of your dog coat patterns before?
What’s one thing you’d love to try adding, changing, or redesigning?Tag me on Instagram @thankdogwemadeit or send me a DM—I’d love to see your sketches, ideas, and finished designs!✂️ In This Episode, You'll Learn:🧰 Resources & Links Mentioned:💬 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What do biker jackets, 1950s rebel films, and a ride down the California coast have to do with dog coat design?In this episode, I share the story behind one of my most popular creations—the Marley Davidson, a bold, stylish dog coat inspired by the grit and swagger of vintage motorcycle culture. You'll hear how a feeling from my past turned into a pattern that resonated with customers and how I later adapted the look using my Cozy Coat base pattern.I’ll also walk you through why sketching matters, how I turned the design into something functional and fashion-forward, and how you can take your own ideas from spark to pattern.If you’re designing your own dog wear—or dreaming about it—this episode is for you.🧵 SHOW NOTES & LINKS🏍️ Inspiration for the Marley Davidson Design🖊️ Free Planner – Plan Your Dog Wear Designs with Confidence
Sketch templates, layout space, and prompts to help bring your ideas to life:
https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/f/plan-your-dog-wear-designs-with-confidence🧵 Cozy Coat Pattern
The base pattern I go back to again and again—clean, functional, and fully customizable:
https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/courses/category/patterns🎓 Cozy Coat Course
Learn how to sew the Cozy Coat from start to finish—including custom variations:
https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/courses/cozy-coat-courseHarley-Davidson Victory Lane Leather Jacket
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/mens-victory-lane-ii-leather-jacket/p/98000-23VMHarley-Davidson Men’s Generations Jacket
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/mens-generations-jacket/p/98162-21VMMarlon Brando in The Wild One
https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/marlon-brando-the-wild-oneJames Dean in Rebel Without a Cause
https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/rebel-without-a-cause

Ever had a dog coat that should have fit perfectly—only to find it rides up under the dog's front legs or hangs way past the tail? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most overlooked details in dog wear design: chest shape.
I’ll walk you through the three most common chest types (Barrel, Deep, and Round), share personal stories from real-life fitting fails (and fixes!), and explain why chest width, front height, and neck-to-withers measurements are just as important as chest circumference.
Whether you're sewing for your own dog or designing patterns to sell, this episode will help you understand how to get a better fit—and avoid common mistakes.
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why chest circumference isn’t enough to ensure a proper fit
• How posture and chest shape affect coat length
• The 3 main dog chest types and how to spot them
• The measurements you really need to take
• How to adjust your patterns for a better fit
• A visual tip using rectangles, ovals, and circles to identify chest shapes

🛠️ Resources & Links Mentioned:📖 Blog Post – Pawsome Fit Guide: Dog Chest Shapes
https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/blog/dog-chest-shape📝 Download the Free Measuring Workbook
https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/f/4-step-measuring-workbook🎥 Watch the Step-by-Step Measuring Video (featuring Scout!)
https://scouterwearclub.newzenler.com/courses/11-steps-to-measure-your-dog
Let’s Connect:
Have questions or your own story to share about dog coat fit? I’d love to hear it!
Add a comment below, DM me on Instagram @thankdogwemadeit, or send a message through my website.
If you enjoyed this episode:
Please follow the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes, and feel free to share it with someone who’d love it too. Leaving a quick review also helps others find the show!
Talk soon,
Jill

In this episode, I’m sharing the not-so-secret ingredient behind nearly every big leap I’ve made in my business: community. From weekly virtual calls with fellow creatives to local workshops and the amazing energy of my small group accountability circle—this episode is all about why surrounding yourself with the right people can make all the difference.I’ll take you behind the scenes of what helped me go from custom dog coat maker to educator and digital course creator, and I’ll give you real examples of how community played a key role in launching From Patterns to Profits, building Thank Dog We Made It, and finding the courage to keep going—even when things felt hard.If you’ve ever felt like you're building your business in a vacuum, this one’s for you.
In this episode, I talk about:

• The power of virtual accountability partners
• How BNI helped me grow my confidence (even as an introvert)
• Learning from my sister’s community-building approach on social media>
• Where to find creative communities both online and locally
• Why you shouldn’t try to do this alone—and how to find your people

Resources & Links:

• Read the blog post that inspired this episode:
  The Power of Community – Why Surrounding Yourself with the Right People Matters

• Grab the free guide:
  Where to Find Your Creative People – A Guide to Accountability & Community for Dog Wear Designers

Enjoying the podcast?
Be sure to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if this one resonated with you, leaving a quick rating or review helps more creative entrepreneurs find the show—and join this amazing community we’re building together.

If you're planning to sell dog wear patterns this fall, it's time to get ahead—because successful designers aren’t waiting until September to start.
In this episode of Thank Dog We Made It, I’m sharing why spring is the best time to start designing, testing, and preparing your dog wear patterns for the fall/winter 2025/26 season—and how to do it without the last-minute chaos.
We’ll cover:

• Fall/Winter 25/26 dog wear trends: top fabrics, colours, and styles
• Eco-friendly materials like Softshell, Dintex, RPET, and recycled fleece
• How to design smarter, starting with a solid base pattern (like my Cozy Coat)
• Tools for digitizing and grading patterns (Illustrator, GIMP, Inkscape)
• Why fit testing matters and how to measure dogs the right way
• What makes a pattern “market-ready” with instructions, PDFs, and photos
• Ways to build buzz before your pattern even goes live

This episode is for both new and experienced pattern designers who want to stay inspired, organized, and sell with confidence this fall.
SHOW NOTES & LINKSFree Download: 25/26 Dog Wear Trend & Pattern Planning Workbook
https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/f/plan-your-dog-wear-designs-with-confidenceCozy Coat Base Pattern
https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/courses/med-cozy-dog-coat-patternFall/Winter 2025/26 Dog Wear Trends Blog
https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/blog/2025-26-dog-wear-trendsMeasuring Dogs & Understanding Anatomy
https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/blog/measuring-dogs-and-understanding-anatomyDigitizing Dog Wear Patterns with Illustrator
https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/blog/digitizing-dog-wear-patterns-with-illustratorGrading Rules for Dog Wear Patterns
https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/blog/grading-rules-for-dogs
Enjoyed the episode?
Share it with your fellow dog wear designers and tag me @thankdogwemadeit on Instagram.
Subscribe for more tips on designing, digitizing, and selling your patterns.