New Cats On The Block Tutorial

Spring punches the earth with color and rids us of our dreary brown stale winter. 

Here in Texas the fields are alive with vibrant wildflowers, the butterflies are surfing the sweet jasmine breeze, and the song birds reign.  Sitting quietly in the new grass, prowling, spying..... just waiting- are the new cats on the block! 

The arrival of Spring also brings my tradition of purging the sweaters.  I tend to buy lots of sweaters each year and then wear only one aside from my fave ratty old man cardigan. What better way to keep loving our wooly wonders than to upcycle them in to something sweet and sassy!

Old sweaters are so soft and wool sweaters can be easily felted by machine washing and drying.  This makes for clean and easy to care for fabric that can be upcycled in to softie toys, coffee cup cozies, and handmade baby shower gifts.  Possibilities are endless!

These cats are made from the sleeves of old striped sweaters. 

 

  Using my own template, I snip around the top to make ears

  

Then I sew the top by machine,

 turn the cat right side out, stuff and hand stitch the bottom shut. 

Embroider your fave expression and ta-daaaahhhh!  A vibrant cat is born! 

Don't have any sweaters you want to chop?  Check out your local thrift store.  Not only do you get a great project for pennies but you also help a charity in the process. 

Check out these other fab Etsy artists who also love upcycling the old yarns :)

LOVE & OLD SWEATERS!

Comments

[Theowlclub]

I love these adorable kitties and just can't wait to make one! Just had a conversation with my husband we were trying to work out if we had any vibant enough sweaters to use, lol!

I also love the images of bluebonnets... my dad lives in Texas (Austin) and I like to think of him being surrounded by them at the moment :)

[Deb Paxton Valley Folk Art]

Your blog is looking lovely Jacquie and thanks so much for the tutorial, love your kitties! Lucky you to have Spring blooms already, my grass is getting green here in Canada but no posies quite yet :O) Deb

[Hand of Bela Peck]

Oh ladies I hear ya!! I am still working out the kinks in this blog. I could use a tutorial myself :)

[Rose Clawson]

Great job! But like Linda I had a hard time leaving a comment. Love the flowers with the barn!

[Lindawelcome]

Wow! You so know how to BLOG! Loved the pics, the tutorial (even I understood!) and especially the sweet kitties. Next: Do a tutorial on how to leave a comment - that took me a minute to figure out BUT I was determined!!!! Keep on BLOGGIN - you are a natural.