Decora
who the artist is: Cynthia
Elliott, currently in Upstate New York, but always moving.
what's your
story: I started sewing
professionally at University, working part-time for the University's costume
shop, while earning a degree in Environmental Science. I knew I had always
loved sewing, but it never occurred to me to change majors.
After college I joined the Peace Corps and served two years in Suriname, South
America with my husband building a school in a small isolated community. At the
same time I was helping the woman's group sew mosquito nets to sell and
teaching women to make quilts and jewelry.
It wasn't until I moved to Japan to teach English that I really started to
realize how much sewing made me happy. The Japanese have a special respect for
artists and I fell in love with the Japanese crafting world, their attention to
detail and the overwhelming world of "cute".
where:
www.decora.etsy.com
why this
artist stands out: {cassandra’s words:} My son and daughter both want matching kitten clutches! The artist adds... I use recycled or eco-friendly
materials as much as possible and am always looking to develop my art to become
more "green". Crafting doesn't necessarily take skill, it takes
desire. Be proud of what you can create and accept the imperfections that come
with learning.
how to make
a simplified cat or rabbit ornament:
What's so great about these ornaments is that you don't need a
pattern. Choose scrap fabrics in colors that you like and cut out your shapes.
You will need:
4 x ear shape (triangle for cat, long rounded shape for a rabbit)
2 x body shape
1 x oval base (recommend felt)
Tail for rabbit: yarn, tail for cat: 2 x tail shape
ribbon, beads and embellishments
stuffing (or fabric scraps to stuff)
1) Sew body pieces inside out using a straight stitch or machine
2) Place oval base onto bottom and trim as needed. Sew using a whip stitch but
leave a small opening, stuff and then finish sewing.
3) Sew ear pieces using a whip stitch or with a machine and stuff lightly
4) Sew ears onto body
5) Sew tail or make a pompom tail and attach to body
6) Embellish with ribbon, buttons, beads or fabric details and add eyes and a
mouth.
You can always hide your knots under a large ribbon or bow. :)
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