[nagdu] winter coats

[Laurie Mehta]

Hi Julie, 
Does the handle for your harness detach?  
I thought that the harness I saw displayed this past July had a detachable handle, anyhow.  (Fine work, btw!)  

If the handle comes off, why not sew a lined poncho-style coat that has holes in the top to thread the harness handle through?  If you have access to a GDB dog-raincoat, you could copy that for a pattern, just modifying it to add handle holes.  That raincoat is the velcro-fastened poncho type that would be ideal for what you want.  

Or, you could buy a large sized GDB raincoat, if they are still sold-- I bought my most recent one in 2001, and you could sew a lining into it.  I will say, though, that the raincoat itself is a great wind breaker.  

Maybe Michael knows the status of GDB raincoats these days?  /smile/ 

When I bought one, they came in neon green/yellow, or in crimson.  I got the bright colored one for added walking safety on those gloomy days.  

Good luck, and if you work this project out, I hope that you'll start offering it among the other things you sell.  I know that a lot of programs are using harnesses with detachable handles nowadays and a coat like you're talking about would be a hit with lots of handlers, imho.  

-Laurie

--- On Thu, 12/4/08, Julie J. <jlcrane at alltel.net> wrote:

> From: Julie J. <jlcrane at alltel.net>
> Subject: [nagdu] winter coats
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008, 12:12 PM
> I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas where I can get a
> winter coat  that will fit over the guide harness?
> 
> I've got an insulated coat that has to be worn under
> the harness, but that doesn't work out so well.  the
> harness doesn't fit as well.  also I have to adjust the
> size every time I change from coat to no coat. It's
> going to be a major pain to have to take off the harness,
> the coat and then back on with the harness after changing
> the size if we would need to go from outside to inside.  
> 
> I did make a sweater that will fit over the harness, but it
> is very bulky, catches on my pantleg and isn't very
> effective when it's windy.
> 
> I'm thinking of altering the first coat so it can be
> worn over the harness, but I've never done something
> like that before.  I'd be interested in any sewing tips
> anyone might be able to offer.  I don't want to ruin the
> coat.
> 
> Or is there some easier solution that I'm missing
> entirely?  and no one had better say move to a warmer
> climate! *smile*
> 
> 
> Thanks much!
> Julie
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