I can't afford to have the heat as high as I would like in my house. My mini poodle, Molly thinks she is cold if it goes below 80'. I am looking for any ideas or free patterns available for fleece coats to make to keep her warm. I can't afford to buy an expensive pattern at the moment and I really don't know how to sew much besides quilts. Any ideas would be very welcome. I can't hold her all of the time and that is what she wants right now when she thinks she is cold. Thanks!

I PM'd you.

You could use fleece, cut it to fit around the dog, and add straps with adjustable clips to hold it on, one strap on the chest and one by her front and her back legs. That should work until you can find a pattern. I'm sure someone will be able to help you.

Here is an article that has links to several different ones, including one made of fleece. It seems fairly simple.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ts.html?cat=46

I found this on the internet:

www.barlowscientific.com/technotes/home/sweater.htm

I have no sew fleece blankets videos on my site. there is also a pattern at Joanne's it was 99 cents...I almost bought it for dog coats. they have 5o percent sells all the time...

http://www.barlowscientific.com/tech...me/sweater.htm

http://www.marthastewart.com/article...c=related_test

http://prettylittlethings.typepad.co...ittle-pig.html

http://www.saunalahti.fi/glottis/quickcoat.htm

http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/199...ives/26?p=2687

Maybe a thrift store down comforter or sleeping bag crumpled up into a warm bed with it made sorta like a cave she could climb into and cuddle up in and keep warm by herself? I used to have a Boston Terrier who insisted on being covered up when she wanted to take a nap, she would drag her blankie around and whine till someone would cover her in her bed.

Miniature and toy poodles need to be warm, I have 2 now and had 2 before these, since 1981 I've had toy poodles. Poodles are high maintenance dogs. Need to be groomed at least every 2 months, for cleaness and for well being, in cold weather don't have her body shaved, ask for a puppy cut. Maybe buy her a dog bed and wrap a blanket around the side to make it taller. If it gets really cold make sure if she goes outside to bring her in after business is done or paper train her inside.

A quick fix for a small cold dog is to find an old jumper (sweater) Mens are usually a good fit. See if the cuff of one sleeve fits over her head and is not too tight around the neck. Cut off the sleeve. Measure it up against her, mark where the front legs go, snip a hole for the legs, put it back on the dog and trim the length to fit. You can then oversew or bind the leg holes and the bit you cut off the back. One old jumper makes two instant coats and you can use the leftover bit for another kind of pattern.