Ginger's first dress - KWIKSew 3311

Today I finished Ginger's first doggy dress.  I used KWIKSew 3311 as my guide, but due to special needs/shape of English Bulldogs, I needed to do a little altering (read below the pictures).















Left...Dozer checks out Ginger and whispers sweet nothings in her ear as she glides by.  He's ready to take his best girl on a date!





Special Fitting Considerations...I selected the size based upon the neck to tail measurements provided on the pattern...but, that didn't help when it came time to fit across the chest area where she is VERY full, muscular and large.  There was no way those pieces were going to join with Velcro across her chest...there was a 4" gap that would be chokingly tight if I tried to force it on her.

Sew...you know what comes next...I customized the design to accommodate her ample chest (and thick front & back neck wrinkles).  I decided the best way to handle this with her was to make a fabric covered sports-elastic insert to connect the two pieces, eliminating the velcro connection across the chest/front.
 

Now the dress slides easily over her head and lies in the proper position across her chest. It doesn't put too much pressure on her chest or neck when she moves and she can easily walk or go up and down the stairs. PLUS, the elastic will give just a little more if she ever needs it.


I used Velcro Fusion for her belly belt connection.




Overall, I found the pattern to be very clear and easy to use.  English Bulldogs are very odd-sized so I don't realistically expect a pattern for a "woven' dress to fit without needing to make some alterations or customizations.

I will use this pattern again for Ginger.  I really like the dress on her and she loves it.  I have made some notes on ideas for next time (i.e., different fabrics for the bodice & skirt).  Yes, I think Ginger would like an entire wardrobe of dresses.   She mentioned wanting to dress up for 4th of July....hmmmmmmmmm.

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