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 notes here:

thankdogwemadeit.com/shownotes/16

Grab the Hack Pack:

thankdogwemadeit.com/f/hack-pack

Save, follow, and share if today’s episode helped you reconnect with your creative side.

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 pattern into something bold, expressive, and uniquely yours.

👉 Grab your free Dog Coat Sketch Templates to start sketching your next design today: https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/f/dog-coat-sketch-templates

Resources & Links

• 🎨 Free Dog Coat Sketch Templates: https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/f/dog-coat-sketch-templates

• ✂️ Cozy Coat Base Pattern (hack-friendly): https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/courses/category/patterns

• 🧵 Hack Your Pattern Course Waitlist: https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/f/hack-your-pattern-waitlist

• 💬 Connect with Me on Instagram: @thankdogwemadeit

• 🌐 Explore More Free Resources: https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/resources

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 strength as a designer.

Resources and Links

Creative People Guide
A free guide to help you connect with your creative circle and build confidence through community.

💬 Mentioned in Episode:

• Join the Creative Circle

• TDWMI Courses & Free Resources: thankdogwemadeit.com

• Instagram: @thankdogwemadeit

"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 truly take to make.

🛠 Resources & Links

• “From Dog Wear Sketch to Sellable Pattern” episode
• Cozy Coat Pattern
• Hack Pack (Free Guide)
• Hack Your Pattern Course – Join the Waitlist

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 hack actually works.

She shares real-world examples of how she transformed her Cozy Coat base pattern into everything from the Marley Davidson and Cottage Comforts to a Cooling Jacket and Thunder Wrap—and why those hacks worked. You’ll also hear the behind-the-scenes story of the custom-designed, patented MuckyDog Waders and what made that hack especially challenging.

If you're ready to move beyond simple tweaks and confidently modify patterns in a way that feels creative and achievable, this one’s for you.

📌 Mentioned in This Episode:

• 💻 Join the Hack Your Pattern Waitlist
  thankdogwemadeit.com/f/hack-your-pattern-waitlist

• 🧵 Get the Cozy Coat Pattern (includes full rights to modify and sell)
  thankdogwemadeit.com/courses/category/patterns

• 🐶 MuckyDog Waders – Patent-pending dog garment mentioned in this episode
  muckydog.com

• 🎧 Listen to the Marley Davidson origin story
  thankdogwemadeit.com/shownotes/4

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 this episode, I walk through the journey many makers take—from hands-on sewing to exploring their own designs, and eventually digitizing and (maybe!) selling them. If you’ve ever felt that creative nudge, this episode will help you understand what your next step could be—and remind you that there’s no single right way to get there.

Full Episode Details:

https://www.thankdogwemadeit.com/shownotes/10

🎧 Related Episodes You Might Like:

🔹 Hack Your Pattern – How to Start Thinking Like a Dog Wear DesignerSpotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7H11GywbpR3zsBXy4wHqc0Apple: apple.co/3WZ5tHg

🔹 Plan Now, Sell More – Fall 25/26 Dog Wear TrendsSpotify: open.spotify.com/episode/10wBTnTGK2jVHVl8PeRkXVApple: apple.co/4dQsGLy

🔹 Getting the Fit Right – Understanding Dog Chest ShapesSpotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1OrliEj7ybgI0sETm7go3iApple: apple.co/3JvD0Ho

🔹 Advanced Measuring Techniques – For Pattern DesignersSpotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1LBi7S1oGm7yiHjCxe8ejDApple: apple.co/4dQRVOY

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 truly fit.

If you're a maker, designer, or creative entrepreneur, this episode will help you rethink “failure” and recognize when you're heading in the right direction.

Resources and Links

• The Mel Robbins Podcast featuring Jay Shetty that really helped reinforce some of the ideas I share here. It’s called “A Process for Finding Purpose: Do THIS to Build the Life You Want."You can listen to it here.