If there is one thing I love nearly as much as cats, it’s books. My idea of a lovely quiet afternoon involves curling up with a good book, a cup of tea and a few cats.

When I saw this fabric I just had to have it. I love all the titles of the books.
The skirt did use a fancy sewing pattern, just a simple elastic waist (because I was being lazy!)

I bought a new jumper on Friday and it wasn’t till after I bought it I realised it had elbow patches (I saw chunky purple jumper and just had to have it!)

Well you guys know me, I can’t help but add cats to things so I sewed a cat onto one of the elbows. It’s the first time I’ve embroidered anything and it’s a little messy but still cute. I used a special pen to draw the cat on, it disappears after a while leaving just the stitching showing.

I might do something different on the other elbow.

I thought I’d do some sewing today :) I made a cat hood out of really soft leopard print fabric.
I won’t be making this to sell – my sewing machine did not cope with sewing this fabric very well at all!

The scarf part has pockets in the ends to put my hands when they’re cold.

If you want to have a go at making one yourself, I’ve made a pdf how-to :)
Cat Hood PDF

I was so happy with the purses that I made last week that I decided to work on a bag idea. This is one style I’m trying out, I’ve another idea too which is similar but more simple to sew. I think this one is a little deep (or narrow!) so back to the sewing machine :)

I’ve been having fun with socks this week. I want to try to recreate the shape of the cats I draw. Using the heel of the sock as the face makes that a lot more possible although it still needs some perfecting.

They’re rather cute already though!

Ages ago I made some fluffy cat ears but they got trodden on and the hairband snapped. I decided it was about time that I made some new ones, this time from felt. I put them on a fine tiara-band so that it is just the ears that stand out not the headband.

I’ll be wearing these on my market stall on Sunday :D

I really want to make a Doodlecats plush and here’s my first attempt. It’s not perfect but it’s still pretty cute. I think I might have to alter the pattern if I want it to take on a better shape. I was hoping I could do it with two flat pieces but the head isn’t the shape I want, I’ll have to try again, adding some darts to create a deeper head and the more characteristic Doodlecats shape.

Ages ago I designed a pattern of sleepy cats. I’ve had it printed on fabric by Spoonflower.com and I love how it’s turned out. Spoonflower is great but their shipping times are so long. I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for my fabric to arrive.

I also used some fabric I had printed a while ago to make these cute gingham purses.

My health means that I often have to take an afternoon nap as I’m just so exhausted all the time. Our bedroom is the lightest room in the house so a daytime nap is tricky when you’re laying in full sunshine! I had a look online at eyemasks and decided I could make my own instead.

I’ve created a downloadable pattern so you can make one too! I have used a sewing machine for mine but you could easily hand sew this if you don’t have a machine. This pattern is for personal use only, please do not use the pattern to make things to sell. Thank you.

You will need

1. Felt – main colour plus darker accent colour and some black.
2. Elastic
3. Thread the same colour as the main fabric colour
4. Black embroidery thread

You can download the pattern here – Right click, save as

Cut out the felt using the pattern. The black won’t be visible but it helps block out the light.

Sew the accent colour felt triangles to one of the main pieces as shown.

Pin one end of the elastic to the side of the black fabric then put the mask on your face, wrap the elastic round the back of your head and pin into place on the other side so that you get the perfect fit. Sew the elastic in place.

Put all the layers together with the plain felt at the back, the black in the middle and the piece with the triangles on the front. Sew around the edge. I used a zigzag stitch.

Embroider the black eye lines on with black thread.

Trim any loose thread and then you’re done!

I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy about a coat!! The weather here has been so horrible recently that I decided I needed a new raincoat, especially if I’m going to venture outside for any length of time. Normal raincoats are boring so of course I had to make one with cats on it :D I’m over the moon with how this has turned out. It took most of yesterday afternoon. I will be putting buttons on it but I haven’t been able to find the perfect ones locally so I’m waiting for some to arrive that I bought online. I couldn’t wait to share pictures of the coat though!

I used McCall’s pattern number M6517 and the fabric I bought from a local shop – Calico

I love it :D