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MiraGardner Peekaboo Bears
Sacramento
Posts: 173

I've had a desire to some time now to learn how to sew different breeds of dogs. I just haven't a clue where to start! bear_wacko  Does anyone have any tips, books, links etc. they would like to share??? I would LOVE to hear from you! Don't be shy... :redface:   bear_grin

Lovethosebears Yorkshire
Posts: 1,899

Hi, I found this pattern when I was searching the web - its a free pattern for a dachshund.

dollmaker.nunodoll.com/dog/dachshund

Ali x

Marlys Waggle Bears
So Cal Desert
Posts: 4,089

I can't give you any advice. But thanks for the site. My sister just lost her little mini Dachshund; he was 12. Maybe I can study the pattern and see if I can do it.

Cleathero Creations Cleathero Creations
Ripley, Queensland
Posts: 1,925

getting lots of pictures of dogs on profile will help with the shape of the body and that.  And then it is just a matter of trying and seeing what works.

rkr4cds Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)
suburban Chicago
Posts: 2,044

Very often, the lower Jaw is made by creating third ear (in Bears, this would be with a rounded end; though some dogs have pointed ears, just round it off like a bear)

Biut they are stuffed too much and it looks like Winston Churchill! I would advise you to suff so that the profile, from the side, is still relatively flat, needle sculpting/stitching though from inside the mouth side through to the outside (chin/neck) to keep it thinn or narrow. That's a trick that worked for me.

karenaus Melbourne
Posts: 694
Website

There's some good Japanese books available on Ebay with lots of different dog breeds. Here's one-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi … 0148261152
While they have only Japanese instructions, these books have great diagrams and you can usually figure out what's going on bear_original

MiraGardner Peekaboo Bears
Sacramento
Posts: 173

Thanks so much everyone for taking the time to share your knowledge. I really appreciate it!:hug:

Nancy D Dog Patch Critters
Titusville, FL
Posts: 512
Website

I make a lot of dogs. Most of mine tend to be mixed. I have made Dachshunds(I used to breed them), Scottie, Westie, Jack Russell and recently a Pug. Mine tend to be more whimsical than realistic. I sometimes cut out pics from magazines and I have googled certain breeds to look at photos. I do have my basic pattern available on my site http://www.dogpatchcritters.com/dogpattern1.htm .

matilda Matilda Huggington-beare
WA
Posts: 5,551

Mira, when I designed my DUCK I took photos of ducks in every position and angle. I then printed them out and worked out what I wanted from the pics. I used pencil to trace around the parts that were tobe come pattern pieces.
It can be tricky but the effort is worthwhile.
To design a dog I would do it the exact same way. I have had a Kitten and a Puppy book here in my workroom for years. I had always planned to study them with the idea of maybe making a kitten or puppy. I havent as yet. But the advice about studying the dog breed by either photo or in the flesh is GOOD advice.  Once you get a basic pattern together, then it is time to worry about the extra embellishments.
If you have the basic skill in designing a bear pattern maybe you could just incorporate a few doggy elements to a bear, then progress from there.  Nancy Tillbergs 101 bears to make , though doesnt have a dog pattern does discuss making a pattern. Dont discount any info just because it doesnt directly relate to a DOG. All roads do eventually meet.
All the best in  your endevour. Please do let us know how you are getting on? We are all very interested and help is only a' post'away.
Wendy
DOGpatternexample.jpg
Mira this is a very quick and rough sketch of what I was takling about.  You need lots of pictures though inorder to get a full workable pattern.

rkr4cds Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)
suburban Chicago
Posts: 2,044

Nancy & Wendy, Thx for sharing that insight. Very generous of you to post & to describe the design process. Wendy, I love your 'all roads meet' thought - may I use that, with your name attributed? As you know, it also describes NFing perfectly!!!

K Pawz Guest

Awesome ideas Guys!! What a great pattern Nancy, that is awesome of you to post!
Wendy you are right on the button! I do this with most of my dogs, but you do still have to design the pieces to take this from a 2 d image into a 3d sculpture, adding head, chin, and belly gussets are the simplest ways, also remember to add your seam allowance to this or you will end up with very hard to turn legs, or legs to weak to stand on!

I am also in the works of creating my very first pattern for sale...wish me luck, I never realized there was so much that needed to be explained that I take for granted when creating.
Hugs,
Krista

matilda Matilda Huggington-beare
WA
Posts: 5,551

but you do still have to design the pieces to take this from a 2 d image into a 3d sculpture, adding head, chin, and belly gussets are the simplest ways,

YEP that must always be upper most in your mind when designing. Thats why lots of photos of all angles of the critter must be taken.  Merging them into 3D can be quite tricky and time consuming. But well worth it when the results are successful. You just have to look at Krista's work.
Krista I was inspired by your new creations and it was that influence that has pushed me to try my crow and qwacker. Then they have pushed me onwards.  The funny thing is, I'm no longer happy with anything that is tooo easy.  I LOVE a CHALLENGE!

Wendy, I love your 'all roads meet' thought - may I use that, with your name attributed?

Go for it Bobbie.  It would be a way I could pay you back for at least some of the info you have shared with me.
Wendy

K Pawz Guest

:hug:  :hug: Wendy, thank you! I am so glad that I was able to inspire you! And your crow and qwacker are amazing!!!
I agree, the more challenging the dog the more fun I have!!!

Hugs,
Krista

MiraGardner Peekaboo Bears
Sacramento
Posts: 173

Thank you so much friends for your generosity! I knew I'd find the answer here on TT! You have all inspired me to try something new. I did start a dog using the technique of tracing the shape of a photographed dog. Brilliant! Thank you...I think my dog will turn out more whimsical than realistic. When I finish I will make sure to post pictures as long as you all promise not to laugh...or at least not out loud! Ha Ha!! :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:

matilda Matilda Huggington-beare
WA
Posts: 5,551

Your confidence is safe in our hands Mira. Dont be shy. :hug:  :dance:  :dance:
Waiting eagerly for progress reports :dance:
Wendy

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