To Sew With Love

Sometimes humans think only the wee little dogs need to wear coats.

So often those long legged beauties with short hair are the ones who are found shivering in the cold.

But there are not as many choices of coats as small dogs. So our friend, Skylar’s mum took matters into her own hands during lockdown.

And then voila! We started seeing Skylar appearing all over the city in tailored coats.

And there’s another Weimaraner wearing of of the coats!

May’s comment: Skylar is the super model in the dog world. With her long legs and deep piercing eyes, she strikes a pose every time.

Anne had always mentioned that it is so difficult to find coats for bigger dogs. And she reminded us that hounds have such short hair that they feel the cold.

When we started seeing Skylar appearing in very stylish coats, we asked Anne about them. And this is how it all happened.

I am a professional marketer for more than 2 decades, developing marketing strategies for blue chip companies. So, during lockdown when everything slowed and businesses were in a state of flux, I had time to reevaluate my career path and contemplate the future. 

It had occurred to me that I had spent my whole career successfully creating demand and generating sales for other people, simply through my knowledge and know-how. What I lacked — was a product. I had never used my hands to produce anything before and I was determined during lockdown to change that. 

I started watching YouTube videos on how to sew – beginner level stuff, like how to operate a sewing machine etc. It was shocking. I couldn’t remember the last time I held a needle in my hand nor had mended anything since Home Economics class. 

Then I decided to take the plunge and buy a sewing machine. I didn’t buy a basic machine. Oh, no. I went for one of the more expensive machines, the Heavy Duty Singer 4423 — not for its advanced features and capabilities, but for the mere fact it had an automatic needle threader! That purchase set me back a bit so I was invested. And even more determined.

Now I was ready to begin my sewing journey. Without question I was determined to make a nice dog coat for Skylar, my Weimaraner. Weims are large, deep-chested dogs with their uniquely single coat and shorthaired – making them vulnerable to the cold, especially on city walks. 

In previous years and after spending a lot of money, I still wasn’t able to find/buy a stylish coat which would also keep her warm. There is a real predicament for large dog owners to find beautiful apparel for their dogs, as there are misconceptions that big dogs don’t get cold and if they did, their need for apparel is utilitarian. 

Though a niche and specific market, I thought it would be a great starting point — to design staple, sophisticated yet comfortable, warm outerwear for large dogs in a style that complements an urban dog owner. 

Thrown into a world a fabrics, now immersed, I came to the realisation very quickly that quality fabrics are inherently made better and are worth spending more on. It was not until our roadtrip to Scotland, once lockdown was lifted, that I managed to strike a good business arrangement with a fabric mill in a sleepy weavers village in the Highlands of Scotland to provide world-class premium tweed fabrics and other wools. And so, ADogableHounds was created and I’ve been styling one pup at a time, all over the world, ever since. 

And we benefitted from it too! Look at our amazing bandanas from Anne!