Rat Haiku

I have cats but I also have a rat too. They make great pets. So she does not feel left out, here is my ode to rats.

Constantly sniffing

Testing all for food-maybe

Rat scurries away.

Here and there again

Tasting with tiny wet tongue

Busy, busy rat.

Noses touching once

Too much for playful kittens

Rattie wins this round!

Okay, so I never said I was a poet! Back to sewing!

What's New At Cat Song Stitchery

I just finished this Cats and Berries Quilt. Reversible, 54"x54". Great for a picnic or a sofa throw. Would look great on a table too! The sling bags are carefree, easy to wear either over the shoulder or across the chest. Secure with a zipper closing. The navy blue goes with everything while the tangerine is a hot color for spring and summer! See these and more at http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com

Sewing and Yoga

Sewing is a sedentary activity, for the most part, but there are ways to combine sewing and exercise. This bag is great for carrying my yoga mat, block, strap, drink, and knee pad. I slip my gym pass and keys in the clear front pocket and they are easy to find. Bags similar to this one are available in my shop at http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com/ , or make your own simple tote. My knee pad is actually a gardening knee pad, but it works great for yoga. It doesn't slip. I just position it on my mat and it stays throughout the class. I bought this one at the drug store. I sewed the yoga pants from Silhouettes by Peggy Sagers-3 piece yoga pant #3400. Available from http://silhouettepatterns.com/ They were very easy and quick to sew and so comfortable to wear. They also look great for running errands after class! While I am sewing, I try to take frequent stretch breaks and remember to breathe! While I work on the computer, I often sit on an exercise ball. Its fun and makes sitting more active. I also have an exercise bike in my sewing room. When I am reading patterns or sewing magazines, I hop on the bike and pedal! Do you have any ways to keep fit and enjoy sewing?

How To Sew, Be Earth Friendly, And Save Money

There are so many ways to sew, be Earth friendly and save money at the same time! Mending and altering items which otherwise might go in the trash. Quilting with all the scraps saved from other projects or discarded clothing and curtains. Create something wonderful out of fabric that might go to waste. I use old clothes, unsuitable for quilts, to wipe up spills instead of paper towels. Make your own cloth napkins out of 12"-18" squares hemmed on all sides. I find that cotton in a medium to dark print works best to hide spaghetti stains! Make a canvas shopping bag from a simple pattern and use it when you go to the store. I have four I take to the grocery store and others in the car and in my purse just in case. Remake clothes, that are no longer being worn, into purses using my instruction booklets available at http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com . Give pants and sweaters new life. I even made an autoharp case out of my living room curtains. Make reusable gift bags out of pretty blouses, skirts or t-shirts. Cut 2 squares or rectangles- larger than the gift. Sew right sides together on 3 sides. Hem the opening and tie with a ribbon. It is that easy! Buy recycled fabric and organic whenever possible. It is starting to show up more in stores. Get creative- keep the earth in mind and save money too!

My Favorite Basic Sewing Tools

Here is a list of the basics. Things to pack for sewing classes.

1. clear 2" wide plastic, see-through ruler with a metal strip down one side


2. hem gauge, also known as seam gauge, with sliding marker, 6"


3. seam ripper


4. good shears, mine are 8" chrome Gingher


5. pins


6. hand needles


7. iron


8. rotary cutter, mat, weights


9. sewing machine: foot pedal, bobbins, machine needles, instruction book


10. machine feet: basic, zipper, walking (not necessary, but nice to have)