Cats on cats on cats

52 comments

Fun Erin fact: when I was growing up I lived on a cattle ranch in the country. Isn't it funny to think of me riding horses, feeding baby cows, climbing trees, watching chicks hatch, riding quads, and running around and getting dirty? Anyways, my family always had lots of cats around. Some people would dump them on our property and they would wander to our house, we would adopt some, and my sister was known to find strays and bring them home by hiding them in the back of my mom's car without her knowledge. Sometimes we would have as many as ten (they were outdoor animals) which was great for the rodent situation that comes with living in the country and great for me because I genuinely love cats. This skirt is my tribute to my childhood cat homies on the ranch (BW, Sunny, Dandy, Harry, Faith, Iris, Joey, Christopher, Antonio, Fluffy, Stuffy, Garfield, Ivory, Sugar Cookie, etc.).

The skirt is one of my TNT patterns, the Colette Patterns Mabel. You guys have already heard me rave about it a couple of times, so check out my previous versions (V1 and V2) if you want more details. I used this fun cat fabric from Britex which is called "scuba," something I have never sewn with before. The texture is so interesting and hard to describe accurately, but I would say that it feels like a combination between a wetsuit and and a medium knit fabric.


Normally, I wouldn't buy fabric at the Britex price point, but I figured that Mabel only uses a yard and it was my birthday gift to myself and I do what I want! ;) So I bought it. It was the perfect instant gratification project, which I needed. When I got my sewing machine back from being serviced I was jonesing for a quick and easy project and Mabel fit the bill perfectly.


Oh, Sonja gave me a really good tip for the troubles I was having with tunneling when using my twin needle. She suggested turning the tension down reallyyyyy low and it worked. Thanks for the tip, Sonja!

Are there any other crazy cats ladies out there? Should we do a sewing challenge where we all make garments from cat themed fabric? Hmm, I just thought of that as I was typing and now I am actually kind of serious about it...

52 comments :

  1. I have a very similar childhood cat story, but I think we once got as high as 13 cats for a month or two! We got people dumping cats on us too - who does that? I guess I'm glad they found a good home, but still.
    Anyway, I love your skirt. If I could find cat print fabric as cute as that I'd be up for a sewalong! I've been wanting to try out "scuba knit" too, I keep hearing about it but I've never seen any in person.

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  2. Love your skirt - great pattern & great fabric! I also love the idea of a cat sew-along... it would be so awesome to see everyone's creations!

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  3. I'm a crazy cat lady and proud! (Currently just about to make a quilt with some cat fabric for my soon to be here baby) Love your skirt and would love a cat sewalong, bring it on!

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  4. Cute as!!! And yay for sewing up birthday fabric :)

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  5. I would totally join a crazy cat lady challenge :) Love the fabric!!

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  6. ummmm!!! this is amazing!! i need some cat scuba in my life. and i grew up out in the country too! we had horses and cows and chickens and for a little while, geese. did you live in eternal fear of getting attacked by a rooster like me and my brother? and our house was also totally a pet dumping ground, all manners of cats and dogs were always showing up. [Smokey, Orangey, Bear, Salt, Pepper, Pumpkin, Rose, Kitten, etc.... clearly you were better at naming] i would be so into a crazy cat lady challenge!!

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  7. I really suck at social sewing events, but if it's cat themed I'm in and I promise I'll finish something on time for once! In a similar vein, Britex is also far too dear for me... but if it's cats I just may make the trek over there to see if they still have it!

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  8. Very cute! I'm in for the kitty sew a long! It'd be hard to decide amongst my cat fabrics.

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  9. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Kitty is currently meowing and clawing at the screen!!! Crazy cat lady? (raises hand, but I'm sure that can't be a surprise). I love your fabric. I just sewed and blogged my Burda dress in a black and white horse silhouette fabric and after, I really wanted to get a black and white cat print. I'll have to look into this one. This outfit looks great on you, I love a monochromatic look!

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  10. what is up with this scuba fabric? Yours is adorable! The local scuba fabric is nothing to write home about, and it feels like a thick workout clothing kind of material. I'd be willing to try some with cats on it though. If the cat sew along happens, I will totally scour the internet for kitty fabric and join in.

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  11. Such an adorable skirt! I'm about to purchase the Mabel pattern because all of your versions have turned out amazing.

    I love hearing about your childhood, so cool! I'm a total cat person, but I've only been able to have one at a time. I guess one is better than none.

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  12. Yes, I too am a crazy cat lady. And yes, I ALMOST bought that fabric TWICE when I was at Britex!!

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  13. Um, yeah...I'd absolutely find a way to participate in a cat-themed sew-along, lack of free time be damned! (I feel compelled to note that I currently have a "Crazy Cat Lady" action figure--yes, there is such a thing--on my desk at work...)

    Love this skirt, btw!

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  14. Oh, my Peter Pan, but I LOVE this fabric!!! I am definitely a crazy cat lady (I have 2) and love kitty-themed garments :) Your skirt is so cute!

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  15. Cute skirt! I didn't grow up on a ranch, but when my family lived on the mountain, we had a similar cat situation. My parents called them 'garage cats' because they were not allowed in the house. They definitely kept the mouse population in check.

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  16. So much fun! Instant gratification projects are the best!

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  17. I love your kitty cats! Totally in for a crazy cat lady challenge and I have just the fabric stashed away for the perfect garment!

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  18. Cat themed sewing sounds like the BEST idea ever!

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  19. I'm quite literally typing with my cat on my lap trying to keep my arms from the keyboard and keep patting her. So yes count me in for a crazy cat lady challenge!

    Your skirt is gorgeous and I just love the tumbling kitties.

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  20. I just love that fabric! I've been wondering about scuba knits,too! We have about 7 cats on our ranch right now. So I guess that makes us cat people ! I'd do a cat sewalong!

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  21. What a great skirt! And what's not to love about the cat fabric?! Lynne

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  22. I never saw a mouse in our house! And no gophers in the grass either.

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  23. Whatttttt. Where can I view this action figure?!?!?!

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  24. You should have!!!! If I'm in SF and it's still there do you want me to get you some?

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  25. One is wayyy better than none. I actually think my cat Stella would prefer to be the single lady in the house so she would get all the attention.

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  26. I think I am the only one who hasn't heard of scuba before! And I think the sew along is happening. xo

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  27. It sounds like your cat is raising it's hand to join in on the sewing challenge! :)

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  28. You have multiple cat fabrics?!?!!? Jealous!!!

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  29. The roosters we had were feisty, so yeah, I think I was scared of them. Luckily they were in a big outdoor cage and couldn't get at me unless I went in. But I kept my eye on them for sure!


    Your cat names were cute! Salt and Pepper, adorable! xo

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  30. Yes! Ok, I've got to make it happen then :)

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  31. hahahaah that is so funny!! Is your husband allergic too? Luke was in the beginning, but now I think he has gotten used to Stella and Lebron. I joke about getting a third cat, but that might kill him haha.

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  32. Oooh scuba fabric! I just saw some RTW skirts made with that at Nordstrom and wondered where you could buy it in fabric form! And yours has CATS! Love :) I never had strong connections to cats, as I'm pretty allergic to them (lame-sauce) but I would totally sew something with cats on it! Live vicariously through fabric! ;)

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  33. Lucky baby! I'd love to see photos of the quilt!

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  34. Bahaha - this is the funniest story!!! :)

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  35. Cool, Kate, I'm gad you're in. I think the sewing challenge is going to happen :)

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  36. It breaks my heart to think about people dumping cats... So sad!!!!


    I'm not sure where we could find scuba locally. Dang it, we might just have to meet up in LA for some shopping ;)

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  37. Yes, cats on fabric, they won't make you sneeze or make your eyes watery! :)

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  38. Meeeeeow I love it. What do your cats think of it? ;-)

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  39. YES! Although Kitty clarifies, 'raising his paw'.

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  40. Meow meow meow meow! Love this! I'm excited to see some more cat sewing!!! It is kind of funny to think about you on a ranch as you're so glamorous! I was a little hillbilly and grew up riding ponies bareback and swimming in ditches and whatnot. :)

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  41. That's a super sweet offer, thanks! I decided against it since I really wanted to make leggings which need to have negative ease and when the fabric was stretched the design disappeared so I didn't think it would work well. It looks adorable as your skirt, which is tempting me to reconsider :)

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  42. I live one town down in Daly City, but I commute to Civic Center every day for work. Britex is one BART stop away, but I seriously never make it over there! Which is just as well for my wallet, I guess...

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  43. I love that fabric! I bought some cute kitty-face fabric while I was in London recently and I'm looking forward to having some cat clothes of my own. :)

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