Ideas for Inexpensive Holiday Pet Outfits & Clothes Designs

Sure, you can run out to the nearest department store that sells doggie outfits, go to a specialty dog shop, or even order pet clothes online, but why bother, when you can make more unique clothing for your pet at home, for a fraction of the price!

Decorated doggie clothes can cost big bucks, particularly items that have jewels, cording and similar notions. A simple shirt for a small dog can cost ten dollars, at least, but you can make the same outfit for less than half of that simply by purchasing a few things from the craft store and doing the work yourself.

The more simplistic designs can be found at some discount department stores, then a quick trip to their craft supply aisle, and you're ready to create unique designs for your favorite pooch. Some inexpensive supplies include a yard or two of cord, small fake jewels, sequin, iron-on appliques, shirt paints or even buttons.

If you aren't good at drawing directly onto a garment you can use stencils to make the outline onto the shirt then your choice of embellishments to fill it in. Or, just outline the design with the jewels or sequin, and leave the center of the image blank. There are many different ways to decorate it.

Fabric glue is a fabulous thing especially when it comes to attaching embellishments to little doggie clothes. Check the bottle to make sure the glue is washable before using. The glue generally holds very well if you don't use a hot dryer. Use the clear-drying glue to attach the roping, jewels and other enhancements.

Spell the dog's name out in sequin, bejewel cute sayings on the shirt, or just use fabric paint to write "Happy Holidays". There are lots of different techniques for making the holiday outfits. Cut pieces of holiday cloth into a stocking or other shape, then sew or glue it to a doggie shirt or dress. Scraps of ordinary cloth, in various colors and patterns, can be used to turn a plain shirt into a shirt with cute cuffs, pocket and collar. Cuffs and collars won't fare well with fabric glue so you'll machine or hand stitch these items.

Online you'll find all sorts of appliques that allow your pet pooch to root for your favorite ball team, smart off to someone without a word, or just send a friendly greeting via the tee shirt or other article of clothing.

Make striped or plaid shirts by cutting pieces or cording or ribbon and aligning them on the outfit. Fabric glue works well for this type of design but make sure you tuck the ends under the hem so they don't fray and show.

Cut any number of images from cloth that displays cartoon characters, rainbows, super heroes, cowboys and Indians, nautical images or celestial designs, then add the images to a doggie outfit. Use the cloth to make cuffs, pockets, collars, bow ties, fake suspenders, bibs, shawls and similar items.

Your dog will be the best dressed pet around when you take the time to design his or her clothing. And the best part is, you don't have to settle for what you see in the stores, you can make whatever design or saying you want.