No, I'm not doing the rational thing and making a quilt to use while I cat-nap. I'm making a quilt for the cat to use while he cat-naps. I told you it was a ridiculous project. You may sanely ask, "Why in the world does a cat need a quilt? A cat will use any darn quilt he wants." You're right; Charley does. That is the problem. You see this black cat on my white quilt? Do I really need to explain further?
Okay, I suppose I do. It can't possibly make sense yet (if it ever will). See what black cat fur looks like on a white quilt? Since Charley naps on my bed daily, it doesn't take long before his favorite spot looks gray. I need to buy stock in the lint roller company!
Naturally you're thinking, "Still, why does the darn cat need his own quilt? Just put a towel down for the little bugger." Tried that. Nope. The varmint can tell that the towel is not a quilt. Instead of laying on the towel, Charley pawed it all up in heap, and laid beside it on the white quilt. Ahem!
Then a free pattern for the quilt shown below came in the mail from a quilting magazine trying to entice me to subscribe to their magazine. (It worked by the way. I now subscribe to McCall's Quilting.)
The pattern intrigued me. I immediately began wondering what would it look like if the cross-hatches were all white and the squares all shade of green, purple, and blue? Or maybe jewel-toned squares with black cross-hatches? Then it hit me. I could kill two birds with one stone..., or er, one quilt. I could satisfy part of my curiosity by making the jewel tones with the black cross-hatches version for Charley. Maybe if I lay down another quilt over the white quilt, he'd find that acceptable. After all, he's never met a quilt he didn't like. Hmmmm. Crazy, but it might be cool.
I've begun cutting the squares needed for the quilt as I cut fabric for some other projects. I still have a ways to go. I'll need 64 squares to make the quilt 40" X 40". The finished block is supposed to be 5" square.
Yes, I know. It won't really solve the excess fur problem. The only difference is that if this works, I'll be able to fold up the quilt and deal with the fur issue at my convenience, rather than having lint rolling part of my daily routine. Now, I'm just hoping Charley doesn't prove to have a preference for white.
That is a funny story. Charley is a lucky cat. Looking forward to seeing his quilt.
ReplyDeleteYou could vacuum the cat daily. Im kidding.
ReplyDeleteMichelle I dont think you're crazy at all...I'm making a quilt for my dogs at the moment for the same reason (and this will be the 5th quilt I've made for them) Are you and I weird soul sisters?
Love the colours in your fabrics. Charley is one lucky cat !
LOL Mrs. P! Yeah, I could vacuum him daily if I tranquilized him first. ;-) We must be weird soul sisters! I'm so glad to know I'm in good company. I was really a little embarrassed to 'fess up about making a quilt for a cat.
ReplyDeleteAt least you know Charley loves your work. Your biggest fan? Or maybe he just expects all these quilts as homage to his wonderful majesty. He is, after all, a cat. The Egyptians worshipped cats. Maybe he's just claiming his birthright.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a quilt for your cat. I wonder if he would like one made of material with cats on it? Perhaps he would feel like he was in good company. I like the materials you picked out. Look forward to seeing the finalized quilt! Hope Charley thinks it is Purrfect!
ReplyDeletelove the quilt from McCalls - neat pattern
ReplyDeleteKaren
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Great idea! I like the lattice effect, and it looks like a great scrap buster quilt too!
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of jewel tones with black! Can't wait to see it in progress.
ReplyDeleteOh, and your new blog design is really nice.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, you are veeery normal! :) I made a quilt for our cat when he was a kitten, but he didn't like it! :( It was one of the first quilt I made, so perhaps it is not good enough for him?! Now he prefers the disappearing 9-patch lap quilt I made earlier this year, I guess because the backing is flanell! I have some leftover flannel from that quilt, so I have been thinking of making him a new one... perhaps it'll work, if I tell him about Charley! :))
ReplyDeleteThe pattern looks interesting and I'm sure you'll make it into a beautiful quilt for Charley!
Love this! I'm making mini quilts for the kitties, too, not only because of the fur problem, but because they're cute (kitties and quilts) and I like the instant gratification a mini quilt gives... ;)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/chickadeecrafts/4061615742/in/set-72157623049129714/
What about swapping your cat for a white cat?
ReplyDeleteOtherwise that lovely quilt you're going to make should do the trick!
That quilt pattern is pretty, Michelle - I think the white sashing would really make the quilt pop!
ReplyDeleteToo funny! My black/white cat does the same thing but to my furniture (watch where you sit or you'll end up with fur on your behind!) ... and the towels are crunched up too!! Anyway I saw this same pattern and have started cutting up my squares ... would love to see yours when finished ... Thanks for the great post!
ReplyDeleteMarko Ramius approves of this project :D
ReplyDeleteThat is one handsome quilt. For some reason it reminds me of Cathedral Window but what do I know? Only finished one quilt in my life (two in the works) and I'm fascinated by all of the available combinations and patterns.
ReplyDeleteYou amaze me .... just how many quilts have you made?
xox
Nancy