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There are so many fun ways to dress up Benzie's Jumbo Paperclips! Most recently we suggested adding a Rolled Rose to them as a gift idea. Today Maker Team member Laura of @feltlikeaparty is showing you how to make an embellished kitty and yarn ball for our bookish friends. We think it's the cat's meow!
From the “I totally just knocked over that yarn" pose to the White Mischief blossoms on his back, this cat solemnly swears he is up to no good. Whenever I sit down to read, my cat takes that as a sign to present himself for petting between my face and the pages I wish to be lost in. The truth is I wouldn’t want my quiet time without him. I’ve learned to read around his purring body and now my favorite books can skip the dog-eared pages and get bookmarked with this curious kitty.
Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 2 1/2 hours
Additional Supplies:
Mischief Cat Template (click to download)
Directions:
1. Print the Mischief Cat Template above onto the dull side of freezer paper. Cut away excess paper and iron onto Allium felt.
2. Cut out both cats, as well as a dime-sized circle. Apply E6000 glue to the felt circle and place it on the circle of the oversized paper clip. Set aside to dry.
3. Draw four lines with a Frixion pen on the cat. Start the lines from a common place and follow the curve and shape of the cat. These are the bowing stems of the florals. Use a size 10 needle and two strands of embroidery floss (DMC 502) to sew a split backstitch along the guidelines.
To sew a Split Backstitch: Make an initial straight stitch. Bring the needle back up a distance away from the end of that stitch. Insert needle into the previous straight stitch between the two threads. Repeat.
4. Using the white embroidery floss (DMC Blanc), sew small, sporadic French knots along the top half of the stems. Leave space between knots for future beading.
To sew a French Knot: Bring the needle up, swirl the working floss two to three times around the needle and bring the needle back down, just about where it came up. As you pull down, keep the floss taut or the knot will unravel.
5. Use a size 7 needle and white floss to add white and iridescent beads to the open areas of the blossom.
6. Glue the other cat half to the back of the embroidered cat.
7. Glue the finished cat to the felt circle on the jumbo paper clip. Set aside to dry. Inserting the paper clip into a book will help the cat dry purr-fectly flat.
8. Unravel about 2 1/2' of tapestry wool. Wrap an “X” two times around your extra small pom, hot glue and cut. Continue wrapping the pom with tapestry wool, securing it with hot glue every so often. You may continue to cut the tapestry wool to achieve the look of a ball of yarn or wind it.
9. Once yarn ball is complete, cut a 16" length of tapestry wool to drape behind it. The yarn will be folded in half to equal 8". Consider the sizes of books you read to determine your desired finished length. Hot glue end of the tapestry wool to base of the yarn ball, creating a loop.
10. Secure the ball of yarn to the base of the paper clip with a Larks Head knot or Reverse Larks Head knot.
To make a Larks Head or Reverse Larks Head Knot: Place top of tapestry wool behind or in front of the jumbo paper clip and pull through. Bring yarn ball through the tapestry wool loop. Pull to tighten.
This chapter is over! The cats won’t let you know, but you did a great job. Draw your own pattern, mimic favorite flowers or play around with color to create a felty feline friend to keep your place!
Thanks to Laura for designing and writing this tutorial! You can follow her on Instagram @feltlikeaparty or visit her website. Stay tuned for more tutorials from the Benzie Design Maker Team!
