Sustainability in dogwear is shifting again — and it’s not about buzzwords anymore. It’s about craftsmanship, texture, and making things that last.

In this episode, I talk about what 2026 really looks like for makers. From waxed canvas and natural fibers to small-batch production and the rise of reclaimed materials — this is where slow-made design meets practical dogwear.

You’ll hear what I’ve learned testing my first waxed canvas project (spoiler: I used fabric that was way too light), and how that turned into a bigger plan for my 2026 Waxed Canvas Documentary Project.

Whether you’re sewing for your own dog or designing patterns to sell, this one’s about creating with purpose — not pressure.

Listen in and discover why slow-made is the new fast fashion.

Mentioned:

• Our Social Fabric

• FabCycle

• Blackbird Fabrics

• Download the Sustainable Fabric Guide for Dogwear Makers →

Comment “Waxed Canvas” below if you want to be alerted when the doc series starts, and send me any questions or episode requests. Or email me: jill@thankdogwemadeit.com

In this episode, I walk through the top three mistakes people make when resizing or grading dog coat patterns—and how I go about fixing them so coats fit comfortably across sizes and breeds.

Top 3 Mistakes

1️⃣ Stretching a pattern evenly instead of resizing it proportionally at the key grading points

2️⃣ Not understanding functional ease — what it is, why it matters, and how to remove and re-add it correctly

3️⃣ Starting with a complex pattern instead of mastering scaling on a simple one first (like the Cozy Coat!)

Want to see how it’s done step-by-step?

Watch the full video demo where Jill grades a pattern from a medium to a small and walks through each fix:👉 https://youtu.be/XwEoZn7uu3c

Resources Mentioned

👉 Free Cozy Coat Pattern → https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com

👉 Dog Size Chart → https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/dog-size-chart

👉Scale Your Dogwear System (SYDS): How to Size and Grade Dog Wear Patterns for Every Breed →

https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/f/grading-patterns-waitlist

Podcast: Hackable or Headache - Picking the Right Pattern to Modify

Questions or feedback? Email me: jill@thankdogwemadeit.com

Puppies grow fast — here’s how to make a dog coat last longer with simple, grow-with-me adjustments.

In this episode, I share practical, sustainable solutions for making dog coats that last longer through those puppy growth spurts. From Velcro and elastic to clever drawstrings and extension panels, I’ll walk you through how to adapt a simple pattern (like my free Cozy Coat) so your pup doesn’t outgrow it in weeks.

Whether you’re sewing for a small terrier or a medium-sized poodle, you’ll hear tips for adjusting circumference, back length, and side coverage — plus my take on realistic expectations (spoiler: it’s not a forever coat, but it can last a lot longer).

✨ Free Cozy Coat Pattern Package:
https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/f/free-cozy-coat-pattern-package

✨ Dog Size Chart (with breed examples):

https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/dog-size-chart