Altering baby clothes to fit yorkie...

[Princes mom]

I had a hard time finding a hoodie that I liked for Prince. I read somewhere on yt that some members purchased new born baby clothes and altered them. I found a navy hoodie that almost fits. I had to hem the sleeves, but I need suggesions on how to cut the front of it so he can go to the bathroom without getting it wet. I had planned to remove the zipper and replace it with a button. (Most jackets that I have seen have velcro, which is a nightmare with his fur.)
Thanks!!

[Princes mom]

Where are all of the yorkietalk sewers?

[Nancy1999]

They're probably all sewing! I've done this before because I wanted to find something specific, like Christmas pj's, but never tried it on a hoodie. If you have something that is already cut high in the tummy area you can use that as a pattern. Many of Joey's clothes have velcro, and you can velco it up before you put it on them, and then just velcro the top, so hair shouldn't get in the way, also many of Joey's hoodies are pullovers. Basically, just hem the front above potty area, but leave the back longer if you want.

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

They're probably all sewing! I've done this before because I wanted to find something specific, like Christmas pj's, but never tried it on a hoodie. If you have something that is already cut high in the tummy area you can use that as a pattern. Many of Joey's clothes have velcro, and you can velco it up before you put it on them, and then just velcro the top, so hair shouldn't get in the way, also many of Joey's hoodies are pullovers. Basically, just hem the front above potty area, but leave the back longer if you want.

Those are great ideas! Thank you. I have such a hard time with jackets / coats because usually the small is too small and the medium is way too big. Where did you get Joey's pullovers? Are they easy to get on and off? I think I will take your suggestion and just take in and hem the front. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[rilysmom]

I've never altered a hookie, but I have shirts and oneies. I made the front on the shirt be the back and cut down the back to make it smaller. I used a doggie shirt to go by and cut the belly up shorter. I cut the bottom out of the oneies and then did the same. It was fairly easy. For a hoodie, I belive if it was a close fit, I would just remove the zipper, lap it over and put velcro on it. Good luck! Show us what you come up with. Here is a picture of Rily in one I did.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Princes mom

Those are great ideas! Thank you. I have such a hard time with jackets / coats because usually the small is too small and the medium is way too big. Where did you get Joey's pullovers? Are they easy to get on and off? I think I will take your suggestion and just take in and hem the front. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I get lots of my stuff at Walmart and Target, I look whenever I go because they have high turnover, and sell clothing fast. Petsmart and Petco both have clothing, and many of the Yorkietalk members sell clothing, here's link to members stores, http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ore-sites.html. Also, don't forget that Walmart has an online store, and will deliver those things to your local store for free, so you save on shipping, but our local store usually has a larger selection, if your there at the right time. Walmart.com: Pets: Dogs: Apparel & Accessories

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by rilysmom

I've never altered a hookie, but I have shirts and oneies. I made the front on the shirt be the back and cut down the back to make it smaller. I used a doggie shirt to go by and cut the belly up shorter. I cut the bottom out of the oneies and then did the same. It was fairly easy. For a hoodie, I belive if it was a close fit, I would just remove the zipper, lap it over and put velcro on it. Good luck! Show us what you come up with. Here is a picture of Rily in one I did.

That's really cute!

[rilysmom]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

That's really cute!

Thanks, it was the first one I made, so it is a little rough around the edges. I'm making their Halloween outfits out of baby oneies. Rily's is a baby cat and Saydee's a white ghost. I'll post pics later.

[kat618]

Originally Posted by rilysmom

Thanks, it was the first one I made, so it is a little rough around the edges. I'm making their Halloween outfits out of baby oneies. Rily's is a baby cat and Saydee's a white ghost. I'll post pics later.

That sounds adorable!!! Please post pictures of them in the outfits.

[OnegusMom]

I also tried altering baby clothes for our Onegus last fall. Basically, the front has to become the back so it's easier to close, and you have to cut the front ( now the back) out so it doesn't get wet on. Works most of the time, but our little guy has a short cobby body so the legs (arms?) were always way too long and I still had to cut and sew. Buying clotes at stores just hasn't worked. He is too large for XXSM and some XSM are still too big. Depends on the maker and all are not consistant with the sizes.
I finally gave up and bought a dog pattern for pj's with legs and a collar. It also has a patterns for shirts. I did have to alter the pattern some to fit him, like take 1 1/2" off the length and shorten the legs, but it has been a life saver. Sews up pretty quick after the first one.We live in WI and he was TOTALLY housebroken by the time we got snow and sub zero weather. I made several using outerwear fleece, double thick, added feet like baby pj's (boots do not stay on his stick legs, lol) and lengthened the collar to come up over his ears. It's easy on, over the head, pop his legs into the leg holes and out we go. Takes longer to dress me now then him and he loves to snuffle and climb snow banks and of course, curious little boy that he is, his potty spots are the farthest he can get from the house. Hubby says he looks like ET or a seal, but he is warm and toasty, even when we are cold. I made several in different weight materials for in the house and am now working on this yrs since he has gotten a bit rounder, but no longer. Velcro is a no no in our house with his hair since we keep him full coated.

[vviccles1]

Try www.marilynscreations.com. Its a dynamite site with original handknit sweater and some awsome coats in small sizes, very reasonable. Good luck!

[ajabj5]

I alter many baby cloths for my yorkies. The best place to get them is Yard Sales I can get 10 onsies for $1 and the little hoodies for .25. The hoodie Jackets that have the waist band is I will do one of two things.
1. I keep the zipper makes for easy on and off.
2. I will turn the waistband under and create a hem and then using very small 1/4 elastic and run that through the him to fit his waist so that it can't get wet during potting. A draw string can be used too but I don't like that as well.
3. This can be done with onsies too. Cut them off to make shirts, if the waist of the onsie is to big an will cause problems getting around I will run a small band of elastic through it to keep it up around them.
I have even bought infant dresses and altered them by placing darts around the hem to bring it in closer to the abdomen.

[jadabug]

I get stuff from yard sales too. It is really easy to alter shirts especially. I also ran across an end of season sale at the Dollar General they had the cutest little halter top sundresses 0-3 mos size for $1.00 that were hardly any work at all to alter into little dresses for my jada. I just had to cut out and hem the underneath side of the dress (leaving enough on the sides for velco under her belly) it already had a ribbon band around the waist and I attached a d-ring to use it as a halter. I admit I am obssesed with finding ready made things to alter it is very economical, especially for everyday clothes.

[rilysmom]

Originally Posted by ajabj5

I alter many baby cloths for my yorkies. The best place to get them is Yard Sales I can get 10 onsies for $1 and the little hoodies for .25. The hoodie Jackets that have the waist band is I will do one of two things.
1. I keep the zipper makes for easy on and off.
2. I will turn the waistband under and create a hem and then using very small 1/4 elastic and run that through the him to fit his waist so that it can't get wet during potting. A draw string can be used too but I don't like that as well.
3. This can be done with onsies too. Cut them off to make shirts, if the waist of the onsie is to big an will cause problems getting around I will run a small band of elastic through it to keep it up around them.
I have even bought infant dresses and altered them by placing darts around the hem to bring it in closer to the abdomen.

Originally Posted by jadabug

I get stuff from yard sales too. It is really easy to alter shirts especially. I also ran across an end of season sale at the Dollar General they had the cutest little halter top sundresses 0-3 mos size for $1.00 that were hardly any work at all to alter into little dresses for my jada. I just had to cut out and hem the underneath side of the dress (leaving enough on the sides for velco under her belly) it already had a ribbon band around the waist and I attached a d-ring to use it as a halter. I admit I am obssesed with finding ready made things to alter it is very economical, especially for everyday clothes.

Great Ideas!

[Robin Lodal]

Originally Posted by jadabug

I get stuff from yard sales too. It is really easy to alter shirts especially. I also ran across an end of season sale at the Dollar General they had the cutest little halter top sundresses 0-3 mos size for $1.00 that were hardly any work at all to alter into little dresses for my jada. I just had to cut out and hem the underneath side of the dress (leaving enough on the sides for velco under her belly) it already had a ribbon band around the waist and I attached a d-ring to use it as a halter. I admit I am obssesed with finding ready made things to alter it is very economical, especially for everyday clothes.

My Molly probably has 10 dresses from the dollar store that I altered. They are so easy! I have also gotten sweatshirts, shirts, and hoodies from there. I love the clearance section.