Art
This hand-stitched cotton quilt, made around 1850, features appliquéd cats in simple, cheerful patterns. Quilts like this one were essential bedding in American homes, combining warmth, practicality, and personal creativity—a chance for makers to express affection for beloved household pets.
Art · Full story
You're sitting by the fire on a cold evening, your fingers working needle and thread through layers of cotton. Each cat takes shape—some sitting, some prowling—as you stitch them into a pattern that will warm your bed for years. Your cat, curled nearby, watches the needle flash in the lamplight.
Reflect
What object in your home do you make or keep because it brings you joy rather than serves a practical need?