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!
Monica says
OMG! This is so adorable!
Caroline says
I love this! Funnily enough I’m reading this post while wearing my espadrilles from your kit!
Ann R Patterson says
Love this.
Melissa Q. says
Thank you!