An art quilt pattern for an arched back black cat built entirely from fused fabric collage, finished at 24 x 32 inches. On the cover sample, the cat and the spider dangling above it are cut from black prints in slightly different values, swirls, sprigs, and florals that catch the light, with green eyes and a whiskered face, set against a spider web background with bats overhead, novelty Halloween text prints, and a border of lace prints and tiny meow lettering. Those fabrics were one set of choices. The pattern provides the cat's shape and the process; every fabric decision belongs to the maker, so each finished Black Cat is distinctive and one of a kind.

What the Pattern Includes

This listing is for the instructions and printed paper pattern. Fabric, fusible web, and notions are not included.

The package contains the full sized pattern, so there is no enlarging at the copy shop, plus complete step by step instructions in color.

Here's How it Works

Trace the design from the full sized pattern onto a sheer foundation, then build the cat right on top of your tracing. Back your motif fabrics with Steam a Seam 2, which stays repositionable until it is pressed, so you can place each piece, step back, and move it until it sits right. Fill the shape first with low contrast underlay pieces so no gaps show through, then layer your cut motifs over them until the surface reads as one continuous design. The cat and spider are cut from black prints in slightly different values, so each shape stays readable against the web background. A pressing sheet keeps the sticky web off your iron. When you're happy with the whole scene, one final press fuses everything permanently. Attach the finished collage to your background fabric, layer it with batting and backing, and quilt closely to secure all the raw edges for good.

New to collage? Laura's Little Book of Collage covers the technique in more depth, from fabric selection through quilting, and makes a good companion to any of her patterns.

What You'll Need

The back cover calls for a 12 x 20 inch piece of a focus spider web background, 8 to 10 coordinating background prints and 8 to 10 black prints in slightly different values for the cat and spider, plus 7 more black with cream motif fabrics for cuttable webs, bats, and words, in cuts from 6 inch squares to about 6 x 11 inches. Small 6 inch squares of red for the spider, tiny mice, and tiny bugs finish the scene. The list also calls for 24 x 32 inches of Pattern Ease foundation, about 2 1/2 yards of 24 inch wide Steam a Seam 2, a black Sharpie, an applique pressing sheet, Karen K Buckley medium scissors, 1 yard of backing fabric, and 6 inches by width of fabric for binding.

Two packages of Steam a Seam 2 Double Stick Fusible Web 12in x 3yds cover the 2 1/2 yard by 24 inch call-out; the narrower width simply butts edge to edge on the back of larger pieces. The Laura Heine Collage Mat set and Sew Tites Magnetic Flowers are optional and make the process easier: the mat gives the layering a portable, iron safe surface, the magnets hold the pattern and mat in place, and the mat set includes both the silicone mat and a teflon pressing sheet, which covers the applique pressing sheet on the supply list. Without the mat set, a separate applique pressing sheet is needed.

Perfect For

• Halloween decorating that comes back out every October
• Cat people who want a seasonal piece for a wall or entry
• Using up black prints and Halloween novelty fabrics
• A manageable wall hanging size that finishes before the season does

Why You'll Love This Pattern

Collage is forgiving in ways patchwork cannot be. Nothing has to line up, no points need to match, and small imperfections disappear into the density of the design. There is no needle turn and no blanket stitch. The work is closer to arranging a bouquet than to sewing a seam.

Black prints in slightly different textures keep the cat, the spider, and the web separate, so the quilt reads as a bold silhouette from across the room and as a dozen different fabrics up close. At 24 x 32 inches, it finishes well before the season it was made for.

Product Details

• Brand: Fiberworks
• Item #: LHFWBLACKCAT
• Designer: Laura Heine
• Category: Quilting Pattern
• Skill Level: All levels (no collage experience assumed)
• Technique: Fused Fabric Collage (raw edge fusible applique)
• Finished Size: 24" x 32" wall hanging
• Format: Printed Paper Pattern
• Made in the United States