Curlicue Creations: Happy Galentine's Day!

Kit Kat Cat Mat

Happy Galentine's Day! This is my first project as an Island Batik Ambassador. It's the Kit Kat Cat Mat.

Galentine's Day is a special day to celebrate your gal friends. It falls on February 13th, the day before Valentine's Day.

I spent some time thinking about the different "gals" in my life. Family, friends, mentors, but when it comes down to it, my best gal is Kit Kat. She's been with me for seventeen years, through all the good and bad that life throws at you. I wanted to make something to commemorate her love and loyalty.

These are some of the fabrics that were given to me by Island Batik through the Ambassador program. The top three fabrics were included in my Galentine's Day bundle. The bottom three fabrics came out of my 5" x WOF bundles.

I used one of my favorite techniques for this project, fusible applique. Here you can see all my pieces cut out and ready to press.

I used this gorgeous Aurifil thread (also given to me in my Island Batik goody box) for my piecing and the zigzag stitching around the heart. I just love this color. It reminds me of a hot tomato.

I pieced together this simple framed background.

And pressed my applique pieces into place. I think it would be a pretty cute mat just like this, even without the eyes and nose.

The two different colored eyes really give this tiny quilt a big personality.

Next, I zigzag stitched around all the applique pieces with matching thread. I set my machine on 2 for width, and 1.5 for length and stitch slowly, lifting the foot with the needle in the down position occasionally to adjust the angle.

I ran into a problem when it was time to quilt. My quilting foot had somehow snapped into two pieces, and I didn't have an extra foot that would fit my domestic machine. I didn't want to go footless, because I like my fingers, so I tried this experiment. I used a clear presser foot and adjusted my machine so that it just lightly floated over the quilt. It actually worked pretty well.

I tried a small bit of the Hobbs Cotton Batting (given to me in my Island Batik Ambassador box).

Because of my quilting dilemma, I only outline quilted the heart, the cat, and the edge of the background.

I used this fabric for the backing and the binding. It's the same fabric as I used for the border.

Sewing on the border.

This is the finished project. Pretty cute! The finished size of my project is 8" x 10". This would make a great gift for your furry friend, best gal, Valentine....or yourself.