Sunday 13 July 2014

look at that doggie in the window

For a long time I didn't like dogs.  It probably had a lot to do with the big dogs that scared me when I was a kid.  I still have vivid memories of running home with my sister as fast as our little four year-old legs could carry us when we were chased frightened by a neighbourhood dog.  The dog probably didn't even step outside its owner's property but we didn't look back, ran really, really fast and pounded on the door when we were home in case the dog was hot on our trail....  Yep, fair to say that sort of experience left me scarred.

Then there was Snuffy, the pug dog that belonged to family friends.  Snuffy was well-named - she dribbled and sniffed and snuffled about - and she was an ugly looking dog.  Why would you want a dog, I thought?

Even now,  I don't really understand dog owners.  They always think their dog is clean (and cleaner than all the other dogs) and dog owners never wash their hands after patting their dogs.... even when they then handle food! Yuck!  

I guess I'm a bit of a fur-phobic but sometimes, momentarily, I think I'd quite like a dog.  Then I come to my senses and realise that I don't like dog hair (especially in my food), I don't like dog poop, and we are never home and we travel a lot so the poor little critter would always be in dog jail.  



So, I did the next best thing... I made a dog!  And look, no hair!!  And it's a pug!  Plus, it's useful too....






  

I used the Little Things to Sew backpack pattern and modified it to make my doggie backpack.  I wanted my pug to look like a pug so I searched the Internet for pictures.  There were thousands of them including a site for dog judges that I used to get the right look...

First, I drew my design out onto the backpack pattern pieces using a picture as my guide


and prepared my fabric by fusing Pellon to the back and sewing wrinkles in the forehead area


Then I made a front pocket that formed the dog's muzzle and nose area





I made a flap to cover the zipper to make it look like a wrinkle above the nose.    Then I added store-bought nose and eyes.  For the eyes, I sewed little black, puffy circles and hand-stitched them in place because the judges' guide states that the eyes of fawn dogs should be "surrounded by a dark mask" 





I made little ears and placed them high up on the head 




The only other modification I made was to make the back panel as one piece and attach the straps from the top of the back panel.  I also added some topstitching to the back panel 


The backpack was lined in some blue fabric I had in my stash.  I considered using a dog-themed fabric but I didn't have anything suitable and it seemed a little ridiculous buying fabric when I already had plenty

internal flap divider with fold-over elastic


I almost wish I had made this pocket look like the inside of a mouth with tongue, uvula and teeth!




I'm not sure what I am going to do with this backpack.... I suspect it will be destined to keep me and the cow backpack company in the sewing room until I am willing to give up the pug to a good home that will look after it....

 At least I won't have to feed either of them, worry about dog hair everywhere, and nor will I have to get out a pooper-scooper!  Hmmm, right now this is definitely the best sort of dog!! 

28 comments:

  1. Wow! WOW! That is one of the most amazing sewn things I've ever seen! You are SO clever! It looks so real... I almost thought it was. I like what you did for the back of the backpack - I should have done that, and made the straps padded like yours. Is it bigger so you could use it yourself? It's good to see your work again. :-) We've taken the cheat option for pets - a kitten appeared at our door a few weeks back and hasn't left. My girl is infatuated. :-)

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    1. Thanks Taryn.
      It is a little bigger (wider I think) and I flattened the top a little as 'required' for a good-looking pug's head! I don't know if I would be brave enough to use it myself - I probably need to be about 40years younger...
      A kitten sounds like an easy pet and less work than the mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits we had as kids.

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  2. this is awesome, and from someone professed not to be doggy!

    i hope you find a truly worthy recipient.

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  3. Oh my goodness! J this is too, too good. (although I'm glad you didn't go with your inside pocket idea. Dog's don't have a uvula. A correctly fitted out pug pharynx would have an elongated soft palate and everted laryngeal saccules. Or did the breed specification gloss over that...)
    The wrinkles are genius. Would you believe I have some dog specific quilting cottons that I don't know why I bought them or what to do with them, but your blue lining is great.
    You could auction this at some pug breeders society dinner and fund your retirement.
    So, so clever

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  4. Phew! Next time I'll consult before I charge ahead making a little human pharynx where it isn't supposed to be!! I was informed by my husband that it would be too scary anyway....
    It's crazy, sometimes, the quilting cottons that we buy! I have some sheep and zebra prints (originally purchased for an ABC quilt) but I also have some zebra drill and have a backpack idea taking shape in my head.... Although I realise I am risk of becoming a bit of a one-trick pony!

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  5. Fabulous sewing! I love the pug backpack! I dare not show it to my two little girls or they will be asking for one.;)

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    1. Thanks! I suspect the backpack would be easier to look after than a real dog if you already have your hands full with little girls.

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  6. That is absolutely amazing. I am totally flashed by your creativity and the beautiful ideas!!! Best wishes from Germany, Barbara

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    1. Thank you Barbara. Nice of you to pop by!

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  7. I don't like dogs, but this backpack is incredible! I love the forehead wrinkles.

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    1. I agonised over how I was going to do the wrinkles - because the pug HAD to have them - but in the end I just scrunched up the fabric where I thought wrinkles should be, pinned them in place, crossed my fingers, and sewed..... 'Seems to have worked out ok!
      Thanks for the compliment - I had a lot of fun making the back pack

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  8. Soooooo love this. Completely brilliant!

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    1. Cheers! I'm pretty chuffed with how it turned out too

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  9. ohh my goodness, this is so cute! And this is coming from a crazy cat lady, :) I've got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for tomorrow morning that links to your awesome backpack: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/inspiration-pug-backpack/2014/08/07/
    --Anne

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  10. Your work is fantastic! We share our home with 3 pugs and I would say that you have definitely captured the "pug look." These are sweet and funny little companions and your backpack is perfect. Thank you for sharing the steps that you took to make it.

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    1. Wow! 3 pugs. I'm jealous!
      My husband's colleagues asked me last night what sort of dog they should get for my husband and I instantly replied "a pug!" He isn't so keen right now but maybe I can twist his arm in a few years.....
      This pug will do for now and I'm pleased that you think he captures the look!

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  11. Your puggy backpack is amazing! We have a black pug named Chunky so we love all things pug. Your backpack captures the sweetness of pugs. They snore loudly, snort, sneeze, have gas and shed a lot but they are so sweet. We clean a lot to get rid of the hair and definitely wash our hands after petting him and before handling food, I promise. :)

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    1. You made me laugh!
      A very good friend asked me to make her a coat for her dog and fix the zip on one they already owned recently. The old coat came with dog hair!! I wasn't impressed but my friend informed me that "it was very clean hair".... I still wasn't impressed! So I guess I'm not yet ready for a fur-baby of my own but a pug made from non-shedding fabric will do for now!

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  12. I love this! We have a darling one year old pug named Penny, my daughter would love this bag. However, I cannot sew. Do you sell them?

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  13. Your Backpack does my precious Miss Lulu proud! It almost matches her wrinkles! I'm going to have to try and make one of these now. Beautifully done!

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  14. Will you make these for sale?

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  15. This is fabulous! A friend pointed me toward this post and I love all your attention to detail!

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  16. Que maravilhosoo.. perfeito!
    Simplesmente amei.. tenho um Puguinho e fiquei apaixonada por essa mochila
    Parabéns pelo belíssimo trabalho. Vc vende?

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  17. are you selling these? if so how much and can I buy one? I am a teacher and my 3/4 year olds with special needs would think I'm cool!

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