PODCAST · business
Thank Dog We Made It
by Jill Bartlett
For dog wear makers at every stage—from hobby sewists to emerging entrepreneurs—this podcast helps you design, customize, and create dog wear that’s meaningful, original, and made to last. Hosted by Jill Bartlett, who has spent over 10 years designing original patterns for real dogs and over 20 years teaching online, each episode blends hands-on techniques with slow-made values to inspire confidence, creativity, and purpose in every stitch. You’ll learn to design with intention, express your creative identity, and make dog wear that tells a story—your story or your brand’s.
Episodes
-
Sustainable Dog Fashion Trends for 2026
Sustainability in dogwear is shifting again — and it’s not about buzzwords anymore. It’s about craftsmanship, texture, and making things that last. In this episode, I talk about what 2026 really looks like for makers. From waxed canvas and natural fibers to small-batch production and the rise of...
-
Dogwear Resizing Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
In this episode, I walk through the top three mistakes people make when resizing or grading dog coat patterns—and how I go about fixing them so coats fit comfortably across sizes and breeds. Top 3 Mistakes 1️⃣ Stretching a pattern evenly instead of resizing it proportionally at the key grading...
-
Dog Coats for Puppies: How to Make a Grow-With-Me Dog Coat
Puppies grow fast — here’s how to make a dog coat last longer with simple, grow-with-me adjustments. In this episode, I share practical, sustainable solutions for making dog coats that last longer through those puppy growth spurts. From Velcro and elastic to clever drawstrings and extension…
more -
Dog Coat Fit Problems - Measure Correctly + Fix Mistakes
Dog coat not fitting right? In this episode of Thank Dog We Made It, I walk you through the four key measurements every dog coat needs — and answer real questions about what to do when the fit just doesn’t look right. Here’s what you’ll learn: The tools you actually need for measuring How to...
-
Thank Dog We Made It – For Beginners, Designers & Dreamers
Thank Dog We Made It is a podcast for makers and dreamers—those who love dogs, love design, and want to create dog wear that reflects both their style and their pup’s personality. I’m Jill Bartlett, and I’m here to help you explore your creativity, one stitch at a time. Whether you're brand new…
more -
Start Here: Sew Your First Dog Coat (Free Pattern Inside!)
In this episode, I’m sharing the struggles I had when I made my first dog coat—and how that led me to create the FREE Cozy Coat Pattern Pack. It’s a free bundle designed to make your first dog coat project way easier than mine was. We’ll talk about: Why I wanted to create a package that walks you...
-
The Idea Vault – How to Collect, Store and Revisit Your Hack Concepts
Got design ideas that show up at the worst time—and vanish just as fast? In this episode, we’ll talk about building your “idea vault,” how to capture creative sparks before they disappear, and why sketching (not sewing) might be the key to your confidence. Links + Resources: Find the full show...
-
Designing for Personality, Not Just Fit
A great dog coat fits well—but what if it also feels right? In this episode, I'm exploring how to design pet wear that reflects your dog's personality, not just their measurements. Whether you're making for your own pup or designing for others, I'll share how simple tweaks can turn a basic…
more -
Hacking Dog Wear with AI: What Worked What Failed and Why You Matter More Than Ever
Can AI really design dog wear? In this episode, I share what happened when I asked Stitch (my AI assistant) to hack one of my patterns—and what went hilariously wrong. You'll learn what worked, what flopped, and why your creativity still matters most. Plus, how to use AI as a design partner, not…
more -
The Truth About Imposter Syndrome (and How I Quiet That Voice)
Feeling like a fraud? You’re not alone. In this episode, Jill gets real about imposter syndrome—from not having a fashion degree to hesitating to share helpful content. She explores how empathy, not credentials, is the anchor that keeps her going—and why caring deeply might be your biggest…
more -
Worth It or Not? Weighing the Time and Cost of Your Design Hacks
"Is that extra zipper worth it?" In this episode, Jill shares the real cost—time, materials, and frustration—of hacking your designs, using her Cottage Comforts coat as a case study. If you're modifying patterns or designing your own, this is your reminder to weigh your ideas against what they’ll...
-
Hackable or Headache - Picking the Right Pattern to Modify
Not every pattern wants to be hacked—and sometimes, it’s the pattern itself that’s holding your creativity back. In this episode, Jill walks you through how to choose the right base pattern to modify, what to avoid (especially if you're just starting out), and how to make sure your next pattern...
-
From Maker to Market: Turning Handmade Into Business
Ever wondered what comes after sewing your first dog coat Whether you're just starting or have been making dog wear for a while, there comes a moment when you think: Could I actually design something of my own? Not just tweak someone else’s pattern... but truly bring your own idea to life? In…
more -
Pivoting Isn’t Failure: What Changing My Dog Wear Business Taught Me
Feeling stuck in your dog wear business? Maybe it’s that sense you’re on the wrong path—or that you’re craving something different. In this episode, I share how I pivoted through four business models—from custom-fit coats to knitting patterns to a membership—before finally finding the niche that...
-
From Dog Wear Sketch to Sellable Pattern – A Roadmap from Patterns to Profits
In this episode, Jill shares the heartfelt story behind the Cottage Comforts coat – a design inspired by her late mother’s cozy red plaid jacket. From that first spark of inspiration to creating a pattern that others can sew, Jill walks through the entire process of bringing a dog wear design to...
-
You Don’t Just Want to Make Patterns—You Want to Create Your Own
If you’ve ever tweaked a dog wear pattern, imagined your own design, or thought, “Someone should totally make a pattern for this,”—this episode is for you. Jill shares how running a monthly pattern membership opened her eyes to the moment people shift from maker to designer—and how you might...
-
Advanced Measuring Techniques for Pattern Designers
✨ Episode Summary You measure carefully, sew everything beautifully — and somehow, the coat still doesn’t fit right. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how basic measurements like neck, chest, and back length only tell half the story — and why adding a few extra…
more -
Hack Your Pattern – How to Start Thinking Like a Dog Wear Designer
Ever finished sewing a dog coat and thought, “Next time, I’d make the belly band longer” or “I wish this had pockets”? That little voice? That’s your inner designer—and this episode is all about giving it a microphone. In this episode, I’m walking you through the idea of pattern hacking—what it...
-
How a Motorcycle Ride Sparked My Best-Selling Dog Coat Design
What do biker jackets, 1950s rebel films, and a ride down the California coast have to do with dog coat design? In this episode, I share the story behind one of my most popular creations—the Marley Davidson, a bold, stylish dog coat inspired by the grit and swagger of vintage motorcycle culture....
-
Getting the Fit Right: Understanding Dog Chest Shapes for Better Dog Wear
Ever had a dog coat that should have fit perfectly—only to find it rides up under the dog's front legs or hangs way past the tail? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most overlooked details in dog wear design: chest shape. I’ll walk you through the three most common…
more -
The Power of Community — Why Your People Matter More Than You Think
In this episode, I’m sharing the not-so-secret ingredient behind nearly every big leap I’ve made in my business: community. From weekly virtual calls with fellow creatives to local workshops and the amazing energy of my small group accountability circle—this episode is all about why surrounding...
-
Plan Now, Sell More: Fall 25/26 Dog Wear Trends
If you're planning to sell dog wear patterns this fall, it's time to get ahead—because successful designers aren’t waiting until September to start. In this episode of Thank Dog We Made It, I’m sharing why spring is the best time to start designing, testing, and preparing your dog wear patterns…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
For dog wear makers at every stage—from hobby sewists to emerging entrepreneurs—this podcast helps you design, customize, and create dog wear that’s meaningful, original, and made to last. Hosted by Jill Bartlett, who has spent over 10 years designing original patterns for real dogs and over 20 years teaching online, each episode blends hands-on techniques with slow-made values to inspire confidence, creativity, and purpose in every stitch. You’ll learn to design with intention, express your creative identity, and make dog wear that tells a story—your story or your brand’s.
HOSTED BY
Jill Bartlett
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Thank Dog We Made It have?
Thank Dog We Made It currently has 22 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Thank Dog We Made It about?
For dog wear makers at every stage—from hobby sewists to emerging entrepreneurs—this podcast helps you design, customize, and create dog wear that’s meaningful, original, and made to last. Hosted by Jill Bartlett, who has spent over 10 years designing original patterns for real dogs and over 20...
How often does Thank Dog We Made It release new episodes?
Thank Dog We Made It has 22 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Thank Dog We Made It?
You can listen to Thank Dog We Made It on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Thank Dog We Made It?
Thank Dog We Made It is created and hosted by Jill Bartlett.
URL copied to clipboard!