A couple months ago, I visited a local quilt shop and purchased a panel featuring Laurel Burch cats in squares. Initially, my thinking was that I would make it into (another!) tote of some sort. Then, I found a denim shirt that was too big for me, and had a lot of open “real estate“. I thought it might make a great Autumn transition piece to layer over a tank or t-shirt. That seemed a better option than just donating it.
I grabbed some scissors, my Heat & Bond roll, and the fabric panel and got to work. Instead of aiming for perfection, I allowed myself to “go with the flow” and resisted the urge to get picky. My rationale was that I can always buy more fabric. Plus, I was going to get rid of the shirt anyway, and it just might turn out fine.
Starting with the back, and 3 of the cat portrait squares, I decided to use my “new” Brother machine. I stitched around each piece that I had secured to the shirt with Heat & Bond.
Don’t look too close – it’s definitely a work in progress. Still, by the end, I was doing a pretty darn good job on those applique edges. Also, I regularly look at the “fast fashion” we buy at the mall and in stores. That habit alone has helped me to be more forgiving of my own sewing.
The results pleased me, so I decided to keep going. The next step was to add the saying from the fabric panel across the top.
Once the back was finished, I decided the front needed something, so I added 2 more portrait boxes, one on each side. I finished the front off with the other statement from the panel.
This piece wouldn’t win any awards at a county fair, and many folks wouldn’t even consider it to be “sewing” (the judgment on social media sites where fiber artists hang out is disconcerting,…).
But I don’t care. I love it, had fun “designing” and making it, and I’m the only one who’s going to wear it. The best part is that this seemed to overcome a bad habit of mine: being afraid to make a mistake.
Slowly but surely, I am getting better about that.
Between my learning journey with my Brother machine last week, and this daring (for me!) exercise in sewing without a pattern, my resolve to do even MORE things that I’m not sure about has only deepened.
If we never TRY, we will never know if we can do something. I’m proud of my upcycling adventure, and excited to wear my new shirt. For my next project, I am considering free handing a tote that will incorporate the remaining cat portrait squares.
(C) 2026 Stitch ‘n Dish