Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Siwsan

(26,173 posts)
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 04:49 PM Dec 2020

Cats are so helpful when it comes to sewing

I opened up a length of fabric to cut it for some masks, and along comes Sophie Stinky Toes to give me a paw. I guess she figured some freak breeze would blow through the den, so she'd help me by weighing down the fabric.

37 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Cats are so helpful when it comes to sewing (Original Post) Siwsan Dec 2020 OP
LOL..... BlueDawn Dec 2020 #1
I like that material but like the kitty more. CatMor Dec 2020 #2
My first mask from that fabric Siwsan Dec 2020 #3
I love that mask, do you sell them? CatMor Dec 2020 #7
No - this was my first attempt at anything other than a straight, pleated mask. Siwsan Dec 2020 #8
Handing them out is a wonderful thing todo. CatMor Dec 2020 #9
I've found it to be therapeutic Rorey Dec 2020 #14
Is this the sort of elastic you mean? tblue37 Dec 2020 #33
Yes Rorey Dec 2020 #34
I make mine similar to that, but I also add Ilsa Dec 2020 #29
In the beginning of this adventure Rorey Dec 2020 #35
love the fabric, what kiind is it? Where did you get it? does it have a name on the selvedge? Hamlette Dec 2020 #13
It says 'Copyright by PMD Mobel/Steijn Design-Deco on the selvedge Siwsan Dec 2020 #24
thanks, I too have way more fabric than I will ever use! Hamlette Dec 2020 #37
GORGEOUS !!! fierywoman Dec 2020 #21
Cute!!!!!!!!!!! RKP5637 Dec 2020 #4
Beautiful! Ohiogal Dec 2020 #5
How sweet... Freedomofspeech Dec 2020 #6
I was just thinking that I should get myself a puzzle Rorey Dec 2020 #17
We started doing puzzles in March.. Freedomofspeech Dec 2020 #30
My tortie was also a squatter Rorey Dec 2020 #32
We all have our destiny! Freedomofspeech Dec 2020 #36
Love Ms. Sophie AND the mask! Well done :). n/t Guilded Lilly Dec 2020 #10
Putting the "hell" into "help"? bluescribbler Dec 2020 #11
Good job Deuxcents Dec 2020 #12
Cats are also very helpful when... 3catwoman3 Dec 2020 #15
Which is why I do not have cats as much as I love them..... ProudMNDemocrat Dec 2020 #16
If Faux pas Dec 2020 #18
My four dogs and one Siamese cat jump on the bed when I attempt to make it...repeatedly. Demsrule86 Dec 2020 #19
Oh, they all love to "help" make beds, murielm99 Dec 2020 #20
My cat does not let me make my bed if she is sleeping on it kimbutgar Dec 2020 #26
They're pretty good at helping you compose e-mails too. patphil Dec 2020 #22
Our cats love helping change the tablecloth. They often are lured away by treats, because I am weak. Shrike47 Dec 2020 #23
I had some elastic of different colors I left on my dining room table with patterns for masks kimbutgar Dec 2020 #25
They help in so many ways KT2000 Dec 2020 #27
Hard to find a cat both so lovely and so helpful. BobTheSubgenius Dec 2020 #28
My cat knows how to get my attention. Aussie105 Dec 2020 #31

Siwsan

(26,173 posts)
3. My first mask from that fabric
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 04:55 PM
Dec 2020

I ran out of 1/4" elastic so I'm heading out early tomorrow to pick up more. I want to make at least one mask from each segment of the design.

Siwsan

(26,173 posts)
8. No - this was my first attempt at anything other than a straight, pleated mask.
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 05:14 PM
Dec 2020

And I put a 'nose wire' in this one - not sure I got that right.

I just figured since I'll still be wearing masks for a while, it's time to stretch my sewing skills, a bit.

A friend of mine has made probably 1,000 + masks and just hands them out to whoever needs one. If I get better at this, I'll probably do the same.

Rorey

(8,445 posts)
14. I've found it to be therapeutic
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 05:40 PM
Dec 2020

I haven't made a thousand masks, but I'm sure I've made well over a hundred. It looks like you're using basically the same pattern that I use, although I started cutting mine longer. I played around with the pattern, and I found that the longer ones stay in place better.

For the metal nose piece, I order adhesive ones, and for the elastic, I started getting them already cut with the little buckle thing. They cost a little more, but they're so easy to use. I need to order some more of those, but I decided to wait until after Christmas when all of the shipping companies aren't so bogged down. I see that both the nose piece and the ear loops are cheaper than they were when I first ordered them. About $6 for 100 nose pieces, and about $10 for 100 of the elastics.

I've been enjoying making masks to use and give away, and I've also been making bowl cozies. I never realized how handy those things are.

Rorey

(8,445 posts)
34. Yes
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 09:28 PM
Dec 2020

it works out well because the user can adjust it. I know you can also buy the little plastic part, but it sorta seems like work to put that on the elastic. (It's probably very easy. )

I also cut my pattern a size bigger for the masks I make for my grandson to cover his beard.

Ilsa

(61,675 posts)
29. I make mine similar to that, but I also add
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 07:19 PM
Dec 2020

a layer of vacuum cleaner bag HEPA filter between the fabrics. I've used snips of pie tin for a nose wire. It takes longer to sew, and the mask is warm, but I think it's worth it.

Rorey

(8,445 posts)
35. In the beginning of this adventure
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 09:39 PM
Dec 2020

When I started making masks I bought some HEPA furnace filters to use, but, like you said, warmth was a factor.

I do three layers of good fabric. So far, so good, but I don't get out much and I make a pretty big production out social distancing. (After years of doing things purposely to embarrass adolescent children, I have no shame. )

Hamlette

(15,388 posts)
13. love the fabric, what kiind is it? Where did you get it? does it have a name on the selvedge?
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 05:39 PM
Dec 2020

thanks

Siwsan

(26,173 posts)
24. It says 'Copyright by PMD Mobel/Steijn Design-Deco on the selvedge
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 06:52 PM
Dec 2020

I've had it for years and have NO memory of where I purchased it. No doubt I bought it because I love the design. The reverse side is white so I know it's some sort of a blend. I'm using a cotton fabric backing on the mask.

I bought quite a long length and plan on recovering a small throw pillow with some of it.

One of the bad habits I got into was buying fabrics with huge ideas of what I would make, and then not making anything. Sad because I used to make a lot of my own clothes. When I took a cruise on the Queen Elizabeth II I made 3 cocktail dresses and an evening gown. I splurged on the ticket and scrounged on the wardrobe, but everything turned out great so nobody knew I was actually a poor, pauper Navy petty officer!

Freedomofspeech

(4,218 posts)
6. How sweet...
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 05:06 PM
Dec 2020

Our 20 year old Tortie likes to help us put 1000 piece puzzles together. It never goes well...we have to peel puzzle pieces off of her paws.

Rorey

(8,445 posts)
17. I was just thinking that I should get myself a puzzle
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 05:46 PM
Dec 2020

My mom and I used to put together a big puzzle every Christmas when I lived close enough to go "home". She's long gone, but it's a fond memory. We'd be working on the puzzle for days, and then when we got close to the end, my dad would think he could come in and help.

I also have a tortie, and it crossed my mind that she and her three offspring might try to "help" with a puzzle. One of her kittens, now an adult, is a diluted tortie. She's a very interesting looking cat, with a striped tail and legs, and a diluted tortie body.

Freedomofspeech

(4,218 posts)
30. We started doing puzzles in March..
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 07:37 PM
Dec 2020

It is the only thing that keeps me from thinking about this nightmare we are living.
Our Tortie started sleeping on our porch 20 years ago. Then she would jump up on the screen door and peer into the house. We already had two rescues but of course we invited her in. We took her to be spayed and she was already pregnant. She delivered six very healthy kittens...we managed to find homes for all of them and we think she has outlived them all. She is incredibly healthy for an old broad.

Rorey

(8,445 posts)
32. My tortie was also a squatter
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 08:19 PM
Dec 2020

Actually she was a scavenger. She had a collar on, so I figured she was somebody's. I was finally able to coax her to come to me so I could read her tag. It had a phone number and an address all the way on the other side of town. We called the number with no success, so I looked up the address, found a name, found the guy on Facebook where there were actually photos of the cat and kittens from the previous summer. I messaged the guy but he wouldn't respond. I asked him if he could at least tell me if she was spayed. No reply. Of course just like your tortie, was already pregnant and had three kittens on my back patio.

She hid the kittens when she realized that I knew they were there, even though I didn't mess with them. She didn't bring them back around until they were two months old, and I ended up having to trap them so I could get them spayed.

Long story short, the kittens are 2 1/2 years old and still not very tame, but they come and go through the cat doors. They're pretty good company and all have their own cute personalities. The mom is very tame, but those silly "kittens" just can't figure out that I'm not going to hurt them.

It wasn't my plan to be a cat mom, but it is what it is at this point.

Deuxcents

(15,776 posts)
12. Good job
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 05:37 PM
Dec 2020

Both of you. I know you have a big heart as a cat lover n your love for your fellow humans. 🐾

3catwoman3

(23,812 posts)
15. Cats are also very helpful when...
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 05:42 PM
Dec 2020

...you are changing the bed sheets. They chase all the wrinkles and creases and flatten them with their paws - over and over again, with a rapid patting motion.

ProudMNDemocrat

(16,468 posts)
16. Which is why I do not have cats as much as I love them.....
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 05:44 PM
Dec 2020

Too cute. They tend to show up when you least expect them to. Love the fabric pattern aswell. Very Southwest.

I have customers who are allergic to cat dander. Nor do I want cat hair on client's custom commissions.

murielm99

(30,655 posts)
20. Oh, they all love to "help" make beds,
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 05:51 PM
Dec 2020

dogs and cats alike.

They sleep on that bed, too. I guess they want a say in how it is put together.

kimbutgar

(20,871 posts)
26. My cat does not let me make my bed if she is sleeping on it
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 06:56 PM
Dec 2020

I have made it up around her and then when I come back into the room after the bed is unmade.

Once I made the bed before going to work and my husband got home before me he said he was surprised the bed was unmade because make it the bed everyday is an OCD thing for me.

Shrike47

(6,913 posts)
23. Our cats love helping change the tablecloth. They often are lured away by treats, because I am weak.
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 06:41 PM
Dec 2020

kimbutgar

(20,871 posts)
25. I had some elastic of different colors I left on my dining room table with patterns for masks
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 06:53 PM
Dec 2020

When I came home the elastic was unrolled all over my home and it appeared the cat was playing with it in several parts of the house.

KT2000

(20,544 posts)
27. They help in so many ways
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 07:03 PM
Dec 2020

I am on a Facebook page called Crafting with Cats. They seem to have an innate ability to locate critical materials. I do feel sorry for the bead workers.
Hope you can see this and if you can, turn up the sound:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1639608249652973/permalink/2408777656069358

Aussie105

(5,211 posts)
31. My cat knows how to get my attention.
Fri Dec 18, 2020, 07:40 PM
Dec 2020

He walks on my laptop keyboard, sits on it, and stares at me from close range.

Usually 'feed me!' or 'Let me out!' time then. I do that, then get back to undoing whatever key presses he did with his backside.

But he is getting better. The 5:30 am 'let me out!' demand used to be with paw pats with claws extended, or an ear bite, now he is more into face licking. lol

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Pets»Cats are so helpful when ...