sadiebear
Posted : 3/9/2006 3:07:39 PM
I'll try and explain it but bear in mind that its much harder to explain than it was to make. I started by making each bag seperately. Sadie's is 6 inches wide and 6 in long. and the sides are 3 in at the bottom and 2 1/2 i htink at the top (to make it close a bit at the top) So you cut 5 pieces per bag, a front (6 1/2 x6 1/2) you add the 1/2in for seam allowance, you cut a back which is 6 1/2 wide by 11 1/2 (the back is longer b/c it includes the front flap closure), cut 2 sides 3 1/2in at bottom 3 in at top and 6 1/2 in on the sides, then cut a bottom of 6 1/2" x 3 1/2. Assebly is hard to expalin but the way i made the pattern and figured out how to put it together was but cutting each peice (wihtout seam allowance) out with regular lined paper and taping it together to make sure it worked. It closes with just some velcro (which needs to be sewn on before assembly). So you make 2 of those, and so it sits over the back, I just cut a strip of fabric out to make the bridge and sewed each bag to either end of it. The "saddle pad" is just the canvas sewn right sides together with micro fleece, then turned right side out, pressed and sewn around the edges to make it look pretty. And it all goes together by setting the "pad" velcro on top on the dogs back, then put on the harness and line it up, then you velcro the pack to the saddle pad sandwhiching the harness inbetween. That way the harness can still be used on its own without having velcro sewn on it making it unslightly to use alone. I know that probably sounded complicated but if you really are going to make one I can send better pictures and pictures of the pattern pieces to help it make sense. But again you can make the actual packs bigger or smaller as you wish. The only materials needed are about 1/3 - 1/2 yard of canvas (JoAnns), spool of thread to match or contrast, and about a foot of velro, and of course a harness (one that wont dig in too bad with weight on top of it). Here are some other pics of it take apart. *Remember a dog should only carry weight OVER the shoulders never over the lower back, and never carry more than 30% their body wieght, start small, work your way up.
Sadies pack full is only about 5-7 lbs.
the 3 pieces
these connect on either side of the harness
The pad sits under the harness and you line up the velcro, the put the pack on top
