Handmade gifts...girls applique cat tote bags...

This is how I make my patterns...it all starts as apicture in my head...then I cut paper to the size I want, adding seam allowences etc..I make notes on the pattern so that I will remember everything at a later date...I cut out the shapes and juggle it all around untill I am happy with the design...then I cut it from fabric....It takes me longer to choose the fabrics and trimmings than it does to sew the item up...I want everything to be as perfect as possible.

I made four different bags by altering the placement of the design...

These bags are lined in white cotton curtain weight fabric with a little pink rosebud design. I put wadding between the lining and main fabric to make the squishy and add body...The bottom corners are squared off..and the handles have been inserted and top stitched three times to make them as child proof as possible....They measure  width 31 cm...depth Not including the handle..25cm...just the right size for a little girl...

I put one of my cats in this bag to give an idea of the size.

Handmade gifts...fabric kittens in bags....

These are cute little kittens that have their own bag...the heads are fleece fabric, the bodies are cotton. All my dolls are filled with polyester stuffing... I buy pillows from Sainsburys which is just down the road from my house...The faces are hand embroidered.    I have put on a photo to show how the bags fit on the cat dolls.....

This cat and her kitten are sold...

Handmade gifts...perfect pink and white cat dolls...

These are my cat dolls....I have sold a great many of these...they are made from soft fleece with strong cotton fabric bodies...they are about 33 cm tall. The pattern is my own, in fact all the designs, patterns are unique and my own.I use felt buttons etc to embellish my dolls..every one is different.

Handmade gifts....cat dolls...

I either print out and sew on,or embroider a special little something.....a few meaningfull words that makes each cat or doll an extra special present for someone you care about......This one says ...You're Special...... The white heart and the ears are felt with glitter on....I spend ages choosing just the right buttons. 

I like my things to have a slightly handmade look whilst sewing everthing as perfectly as possible.

I am a trained sewing machinest and worked many years for a top upholsterer...we did upholstery for 'Cliveden House'...Lady Astor in Buckinghamshire... The fabrics we used were extreamly expencive,and I was often quite worried I would make a mistake.....The best thing though was that I got to keep the left over fabric...I still have a lot of it in the loft...Pure silk velvet...siks and embroidered fabric far too posh for my little house. Mind you although I love my fabric stash, I far prefer cotton and retro designs... 

Handmade pink fabric cat doll....

I really like the fresh colour of the fabric for this cat...I have used the same fabric as the backround on my cat tote bags....