NEW GRAY CAT PURSE

As you all know,  Momma Cat has been making Cat purses.  The first two were almost identical.  They were made out of black upholstery velvet.  The only difference between them was their linings.  One was red with white polka dots, the other, black with white polka dots.  

Well, Momma Cat found some interesting gray vinyl at JoAnn's, and decided to give it a try.  It was a lot harder to work with than the velvet, but the result was rather pleasing.  This cat looks just like Momma Cat's next door neighbor's little cat, Yuki!

Here she is.  What do you think?

Yuki, gray cat purse

 Momma Cat has found some gorgeous purple upholstery velvet at the Mill End Store , and a beautiful batik fabric to go with it.  Now she is going to make a different kind of bag!  So stay tuned!  She will show it to you as soon as she finishes it!

Making bags is a lot of fun, and Momma Cat has found that people like to buy them!  So, she is trying to make different types using new and interesting fabrics.  Wish her luck!

- Momma Cat

AFTER THE FAIR! MULTNOMAH COUNTY FAIR 2017.

Momma and Daddy Cat just got back from the Multnomah County Fair.  They met up with Big Sister Cat, and Brother-in-law-Cat.  They all went into the exhibit hall to see the exhibits, and to see if their entries won any prizes.

Big Sister Cat won two ribbons!  She won a First Premium blue ribbon for her beautiful bath mat made out of river rocks.  The stones are so smooth and cool, they feel wonderful on your feet on a hot day!

River Rock Bath Mat

 Big Sister Cat also won a Second Premium Ribbon for her Scarab Beetle metal art yard decorations.  Momma Cat thinks they should've won a Best Of Show rosette!  They are worth a Blue Ribbon, at least! They are, in fact, her own original design.  But, what can you do?

Metal Art and Stained Glass Scarab Beetles

Momma Cat's doll, Misumi, is shown here with her First Premium ribbon, and her Best Of Show rosette! In this photo her hair decoration has fallen behind her back, so you can't see it.  Too bad!  But, she still looks very pretty!

Misumi and her outfit take Best Of Show in the sewing/needle-craft department!

Last, but not least, is Momma Cat's newest sewing project, her "Cat" purse.  Momma's Cat purse is the proud winner of a Second Premium ribbon! You can see her with it in the photo below.
 

Momma Cat's "Cat Purse".

 There are always lots of things to see, and eat at the fair.  We had Gyros, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, and Hawaiian Shave Ice, with a snow cap!  The only thing missing was the 80+degree weather we were supposed to get!  

Momma Cat is already starting to plan her fair entry for next year!  It's so much fun to enter, and even more fun to win!  Momma Cat highly recommends it!  You should try it!

- Momma Cat

CAT PURSE

This is going to be a lengthy blog post, so grab some coffee or tea before you start to read.  You will thank Momma Cat for this, she promises!

Momma cat purchased this cute pattern from JoAnn Fabric and Crafts several months ago.  It had a cat on it! She just had to buy it!  She really wanted to make the cat purse!

Simplicity #1181, Cat, Fox, Owl, and Dog purses

A long time passed and Momma finally found the time to make her cat purse.  It's a lined bag with two zippers, and a lot of details.  So, it took Momma a few days to make it.  

Basic layout before sewing

 Momma used some velvet upholstery fabric for the body of the purse, and the details are made from marine vinyl.  

She used this wonderful tape to hold the pieces together, instead of pins.  Pins leave unsightly holes in vinyl.  So this tape works really well!  You just don't want to run your needle through it, or it gets gummy!

Perma Stick Tape holds everything in place while you sew!

Here's the Cat's face after all the pieces were sewn onto it. 

Cat's face completed

There's a little mouse detail on the zippered pocket, which is on the back side of the purse.  Here's what the back of the purse looks like with the zippered pocket sewn on.

 
The next step was to start work on the lining.  Momma Cat chose this red w/white cotton, polka dot fabric for her lining.  She wanted the inside to be bright, so that items in the purse would be easier to locate.  Each purse body piece was interfaced and lined before construction began. 

The purse lining with a pocket in the front.

Next, there was the gusset, which has a zipper in the top, and connects to the front and back of the purse.

Purse gusset with zipper.

Next, Momma Cat sewed the purse front to the gusset.
  

After that, Momma Cat sewed on the purse back. She stitched all around the purse's front and back edges to keep them crisp, and then she attached the strap.  Here's the finished purse. 

Momma Cat's finished Cat Purse!

Momma Cat took her finished purse to work today and showed her friends.  Everybody liked it!  What do you think?  Do you like it too?

Momma Cat is already planning her next cat purse.  It will be identical to this purse on the outside, but it'll have a black and white polka print inside!  Momma Cat will post it on her blog as soon as she has it finished!

- Momma Cat