The very fabulous and somber Slumber Cat

Sometimes I am happily driving in my lane making shoes and clothes and suddenly, I take a hard right and drive deep into totally new and absorbing territory. What might motivate this departure from the everyday? My gorgeous and amazing one-year-old niece, of course. Babies make people crazy, I tell you! Good crazy, of course. Please meet the result of this lovely and sparkling adventure…the very fabulous and somber Slumber Cat! 

Slumber Cat was intended to be a simple gift to my gorgeous niece but once I started, I could not stop.  The pattern for the doll is from Bon Patterns and I also bought this dress pattern , which I was able to adapt and re-work into all kinds of outfits. I hand-embroidered her very serious (and wonky) face. 

Once I got started, I couldn’t stop making little outfits. I had to acknowledge that I was creating for my own joy and satisfaction. Doll clothes are just so easy to pull together. Every little scrap of precious fabric I have saved over the years transformed into the perfect outfit. Plus, Slumber Cat needed a lot of different looks for her many different cat lives. 

She obviously needs a fabulous dress and the cutest Japanese print overalls. 

In addition to those dress up looks, she needs a few tops and shorts in a mix and match selection of African print, flour sack fabric and chambray (so classic!). 

Of course, no Slumber Cat wardrobe is complete without a cool skateboarding outfit of ice-dyed pants and a hat designed to accommodate your ears. As well as a little backpack (squee!!). 

In my mind, Slumber Cat’s back story grew and so did her needs, obviously.  It became urgent and essential to create a quilted sleeping bag in Nani Iro double weave goodness.  As a nod to the sewing community, I had to create a Wiksten-style jacket and skirt for the classic art teacher look we all know and love. Had to!

Finally, a pair of pink pants and bowtie. She also owns a pajama nightgown that I neglected to photograph. (So.Hard.To.Stop.)

 

When I was little, my step-aunt handmade me a Holly Hobby doll, which came with loads of outfits and a fabric-covered carrier. So, I suppose I’m carrying on a tradition of sorts. Welcome to the world Slumber Cat!