Kat Makes

Today's project is a cover, custom made to fit over my cats' travel carrier. This project has everything - custom drafting, magnets, hardware installation, problem solving: All in the name of keeping my kitties happy in transit! It's a long one - you've been warned.

My very first project on my new rigid heddle loom! I so enjoyed learning this new skill - here are a collection of tips as well as links to tutorials I found helpful as I made my first project!

I’m making a northern stars constellation quilt to match my southern stars one! This one has started quite a bit differently from the last one - so I’ve shared my process in case it helps you with a similar project!

This was going to be the year I finally attended the Art Deco festival in Napier - here’s everything I made to wear for the weekend, all in one place!

Do you have a velcro kitty like me? I made my very own cat-pocket hoodie so I can carry my little guy around wherever he wants to go, and it’s a tutorial now so you can make one yourself!

Today we’re exploring one of the oldest methods of embroidery design transfer - the prick and pounce method!

My first experience embroidering and sewing silicone sheeting. What started as an experiment to see if this technique was possible turned into a small project with a tambour embroidered clutch!

We’re back, shoe friends! The latest, greatest, and long-awaited hot pink, very punk, patent leather boots are finally finished! Read all about how I made these, and check out those fantastic laces too!

Long time no post! This week, I have a super exciting announcement, and also a post from the 2018 drafts, when we were still allowed to travel freely - what a time to be alive! Check out my stand-up paddleboard outfit, see some vacation pics, and learn all about flatlock seams and wooly nylon.

Not only has it been a million years since my last post - this week’s news is very big, as there’s a new member of my sewing machine family! Here are some thoughts, intros, and first impressions on the Bernette b79 combination embroidery and sewing machine.

Hi! It’s been a while! Welcome to 2021, where the Sewjo is hotter, the projects are weirder, and almost everything is hot, hot pink! Today’s episode is all about ruffles, and where the heck I’ve been since April.

I have some very exciting news today! I’d like to introduce you to my brand new Bernette b48 - and also to announce that I’m the newest member of the Bernina Ambassador team!

We’re back! This week, learn how to make your own set of pressing tools, and check out the free downloadable pattern for a tailor’s ham, seam rolls in two sizes, and the ever-useful boob ham!

The final post in the first time shoemaking series! My shoes are finished, and they fit! This post is all about the finished shoes, what I love, and what I'll do differently next time.

At LAST! This week, I’m lasting the shoes - giving them their foot-shape and shoe structure, and effectively finishing them up!

Progress is happening over here! This week, I’ve sewn the uppers of my shoes together - plus their linings. Read on for tips, tricks, and things I tried to make the whole process go more smoothly!

Part Two of the First Shoe series! This time, I’m explaining the process of making my first mockup shoe - and look - it actually looks like a shoe!

In which our intrepid (and probably actually crazy) maker decides to make shoes, and documents the materials- and information-gathering stages of the learning process.

Check it out! This week’s post is all about my first (that’s right, there’s already a second… and a third!) Jasika Blazer! I loved it so much, I finished it in a weekend! I’ve got this, and some other big news (!) so read on to find out what I’ve been up to lately!

It’s the end of the wedding dress posts! This week is mostly just a little wrap-up - all the links to the dress posts in chronological order, and a bunch of new photos of the dress!

Tambour Progress again! Here’s the second half of my tambour beading update, with lots and lots of shiny photos! The wedding dress is coming along nicely if I do say so myself!

This week, I’ve finally taken First Stitch on my wedding dress! This installment is all about designing the embroidery, setting up my slate frame, and the very first stitches on my wedding dress.

This post has been a long time coming: It’s Project Wedding Dress update time! Sit down, brew up some tea, and enjoy the ride! Today’s post covers my Wedding Dress radio silence as of late, along with the drafting of the bodice pattern and building my slate frame.

This week, a photo tutorial guide to making reusable beeswax food wraps to cut down on your cling film usage! (Plus, tips for making them as a group - just in time for christmas gift giving!)

This week, I’m all about a summer woolen wardrobe! I know it sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out: Once you go merino you’ll never go back - regardless of the time of year! Check out this merino beach dress I made and dyed for a vacation and have ended up falling in love with.

In which our blogger impersonates Macklemore and debuts a project equal parts absurd and amazing - the self drafted, hand tailored, hot pink faux fur coat.

In which our blogger finally gets ‘round to a (Very Belated) post about a canvas backpack. The leather, the hardware, the trials and tribulations of pre-vacation sewing.

In which our blogger starts catching up: A pair of self drafted linen pants (that were a very successful tester), a discussion on the cost of making your own clothes, and some semi-rushed afternoon photos courtesy of daylight savings.

It’s life update time! I’ve got a whole pile of half-finished things to tell you about, and we’ve got a bit of a change coming up with the blog. I’ve been spending more time with the wedding dress, and things are finally coming together!

This week, I’ve got a whole set of baby clothes to share with you! Their intended recipient is already nearly grown out of the first size range, but it’s a good thing I’ve made multiple sizes for him!