What's New At Cat Song Stitchery- Coiled Fabric Bowls

These bowls/baskets are so much fun to make! I love throwing all the strips on my table and creating a pattern as I go.

These are 9" x 4".

Perfect size for spare change, keys, mail, small toys, sewing kit... They look great filled with fruit on a table too.

Go to http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com to see more pictures.

Stuffed Fabric Turkey

This is a big bird that my son made with me from a printed panel by Patty Reed Designs. It was easy to sew and my 7 year old enjoys stuffing things.

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Pattern Review: Simplicity 4190

I love this pattern by Simplicity. I have sewn the sleeveless tunic 3 times, and the simple purse once so far. Here, I made the tunic with short sleeves and I added a rectangle of fabric to create a cowl neck. It is a very different look from the other casual cotton tops. I used a beautiful silk charmeuse from Les Fabriques in Charlottesville, VA www.lesfabriquesinc.com . I hand rolled the hems.

Sewing Guild Bazaar

Attention Locals:

Saturday, November 21, 2009 9:00a.m.-3:00p.m.
Richmond, Virginia Chapter of the American Sewing Guild
will hold its annual bazaar.
St.Matthews on the corner of Patterson & Forest Aves.
Lots of great handmade items!
Stop by and say hi!

English Colonial Ball Gown 1770

Here is a gown I wore at a recent ball. Actually I made it 17 years ago! I do English country dancing from the 1700's.

It is loads of fun! A lot of dancers (me included) wear gowns that are not authentic reproductions. We sew on sewing machines, use modern fabrics and trims and don't wear corsets. We aim for the general look of a time period. It is easier and more comfortable for dancing.

I used a polished cotton and made the trim myself out of a very long strip of fabric gathered in a zigzag pattern. The front flower is an applique taken from the skirt fabric and then I embroidered over top of it. I have a separate chemise underneath, that the lace is attached to so I can wash that without having to launder the whole dress each time. The front panel (stomacher) closes with snaps down one side. Underneath is a lace up section to take the strain off the snaps.

Cat Round Up- 4

I'm still finding cats around the house! Two drawings by my son, 7 yrs.

This one has our rats in it too.

Ceramic cat mobile.

I made this pillow 30+ years ago!

My son's favorites-Lion and Tiger count too.

Sleeping soap dish.

I think this animal cracker is a cat.

Cat Round Up- 3

So the Cat Round up continues with orange cats! (Health report: we are all still coughing but I might actually sew today!) This first one is by my daughter on the computer. It is Alice, our calico cat.

This is a painting/drawing by my grandfather (1967?).

A felt mobile.

A Garfield vase by my daughter (9yrs).

Cat Round Up- 2

The Cat Round Up continues: Black Halloween Cats that I haven't put away yet. A small wooden cat.

Barbie's T-Shirt.

A cat I sewed in England in 1982. It has seen better days, but I remember bringing it back on the airplane, on my lap and people walking by kept doing double takes because they thought it was real! Its fur is all squished down now and the whiskers fell out. Not bad for an 8th grade project though.

Sparkly cat and pirate head.

Drawn by my daughter (10yrs.)

Hand sewn by my son (7yrs.)

Cat Round Up- 1

Since my whole family has been sick and we are all trying to get well again, I haven't had the time or energy to sew. While I was laying around, I started wondering just how many cats I have in the house. So here is the first of what I'll call a Cat Round Up with more to follow. I actually found cats in every room except the hall (I'll fix this soon). This trio of magnets are on my fridge. The purple cat is in a framed picture I have by Jennifer Yane (this is just a detail).

Kitty and Fish is by my daughter when she was 5.

A painted wooden cat from my husband.

Kitty in a basket was a souvenir given to me by a friend. Stay tuned, this is only the beginning!

Sites

Two sewing supply sites to pass along:
www.buttondrawer.com
www.goodybeads.com

Can't wait to sew again after my family and I finally get over this "flu-like virus" plaguing us. Then I'll have more to write about!