CAT
In My Pocket Embroidery
Copyright © 2020 by Quarto Publishing Group USA, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Cat in My Pocket Embroidery: Ten Purrfect Projects is a
new work, first published by Dover Publications, Inc. and
Fair Winds Press,an imprint of the Quarto Group, in 2020.
International Standard Book Number
ISBN-13: 978-0-486-84281-3
ISBN-10: 0-486-84281-9
Manufactured in China by C&C
84281901
2 4 6 8 10 9 7 5 3 1
2020
QUAR.325961
Conceived, edited, and designed by Quarto Publishing plc.
6 Blundell Street, London N7 9BH
Editor: Claire Waite Brown
Art Director: Gemma Wilson
Senior Art Editor: Emma Clayton
Designer: Joanna Bettles
Photography: Hiroko Kubota, Holly Jolliffe, and Phil Wilkins
Illustrator: Charlotte Farmer
Translator: Daniel Chen
Publisher: Samantha Warrington
COPY PERMISSION: The written instructions, photographs, designs, patterns, and projects in this publication are intended for the personal use of the reader and may be reproduced for that purpose only. Any other use, especially commercial use, is forbidden under law without the written permission of the copyright holder. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information in this book is accurate. However, due to differing conditions, tools, and individual skills, neither the author nor publisher can be responsible for any injuries, losses, or other damages which may result from the use of the information in this book.
Hiroko Kubota has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: Hiroko’s Cat Collection
CHAPTER 2: Everything You Need to Know
Templates
MEET HIROKO
When my son was young, his frame didn’t match that replicated by clothing manufacturers, so I made his shirts. I enjoyed tailoring, but when he asked for something extra, I was set on a path into the world of embroidery and began painting with thread.
Wearing Mom’s handmade clothes is not generally considered cool, but my children accepted my work—I hope not just because they were scared to say otherwise. Then my son asked if he could have a cat on his shirt, so I made my first attempt at embroidering one I’d seen on the Internet—we don’t have cats of our own. The result impressed us both, and I haven’t stopped since!
Embroidering cats quickly became a major part of my life, and I was soon working professionally with my needles and threads. In a modern world filled with efficiency and automation, I am pleased to say that I am not the only person who appreciates the warmth, personality, and individuality of handcrafted products and that people wanted to buy the shirts I made. There is a sweet nostalgia in what I do, and I am happy to be able to share that.
I have been asked why I embroider by hand when I could use a machine. There is benefit and skill in both, but I prefer the pace and creativity of working by hand. I did try working with
a machine, although I found the programming of it harder than the actual embroidering. I use a sewing machine