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it comes to embroidery, I soon learned that a slower pace suits me better. If I get stuck or something doesn’t look right, but I don’t know why, I can take a break, sleep on it, and come back to it with fresh eyes. I don’t like to rush my embroidery, since when I do, I make mistakes and overlook crucial details.

      My aim is to make high-quality and unique products, but, as well as creating beautiful items that other people can enjoy, handcrafting also makes me happy. In writing this book and creating the projects especially for it, I not only want to share what I have learned and guide you through the (sometimes tiresome) process of reproducing lifelike cats in thread, but I also want you to experience the happiness and excitement that I feel whenever I complete an embroidery. For this kind of work, you may need to wear glasses or use a magnifying glass, and by sunset you might well be exhausted, but with each project comes a sense of achievement, a beautiful end product, and unforgettable memories. I hope you enjoy spending time handcrafting items that you and others will love.

       HIROKO’S CAT COLLECTION

       Once you start to think about it, you soon realize that cats vary in color, shape, size, texture, and character! From fluffy tabbies to ornate Bengals, cozy lap cats to sharp-eyed hunters, and playful kittens to set-in-their-ways old folk, our feline companions provide plenty of inspiration for the embroidery artist.

      

       CAT CREATIONS

      Here are some of my favorite cat creations, which I hope will spur you on to use thread to re-create your own or a friend’s faithful feline companions.

       MIKAN: MANDARIN ORANGE

      The color and depth of cats’ eyes are always a pleasure to work on, and are one of my all-time favorite areas to embroider. I had a lot of fun reproducing the glitter in this cat’s focused eyes.

       HINATA: HELLO

      I can’t decide if this cat’s gentle eyes are happy or sad. Perhaps they are simply asking, “Where’s my dinner?”

       HARUNO: SPRING FIELD

      Embroidering cats with longer hair tends to be time-consuming and quite challenging, but the hard work always pays off in the end. I felt more attached to this friendly girl—and enjoyed sewing her long hair—once I reached a comfortable pace of work.

       TSUBOMI: BUD

      This kitten looks so curious, peeking out from between the buttons. Both paws are sewn on the shirt placket, so the button below can’t be opened, making it a pullover shirt.

       RAN: ORCHID

      This regal-looking beauty has a very noble aura. Her distinctive eyes are pale and only gently colored. Watching her being cuddled by her master helped me to visualize how love can be depicted in a piece of embroidery.

       ICHI: FIRST

      Although this embroidery is relatively small, it is one of my favorite pieces because it reflects the warmth and sensory feel of a cat. I had great fun sewing the lovely dark stripes.

       AKI: FALL

      With big ears, and even bigger eyes, this kitten’s got all they need to be loved. Embroidering on patterned fabric can make your cat look more three-dimensional, or generally change its attitude, compared to when sewn on a plain fabric.

       OJI: PRINCE

      I was very pleased that I was able to capture this cat’s expression. I just want to reach out and stroke him!

       KOHAKU: AMBER

      By carefully embroidering a cat’s facial expression and pattern—in this case using dark colors—you can make it look like it might come alive at any second.

       YUMI: ARCHER

      This cute tabby tilts her head quizzically, a common kitten gesture. Her fluffiness really shows through around the edges, where the thread reaches out into the garment.

       KURUMI: WALNUT

      This cat’s wild fur was so much fun to embroider.

       WATAGE: COTTON

      White cats, like this majestic beauty, often look a little angry. As usual, you need to be clever with your thread color choices, since she is not actually all white, of course.

       ONIGIRI: RICE BALL

      Embroidery is well suited to reproducing the complex texture of a cat’s fur, and I was so pleased to be able to make the darkest grays on this cat look like real velvet. I can’t put into words how satisfying it is when a person is drawn to touch and not just view my work.

       TAMPOPO: DANDELION

      I love using colorful threads for a cat’s eyes, although, of course, in this case we can’t see the eyes. Embroidering a cat that is engrossed in grooming makes a pleasant change, and the patterns were also interesting to do.

       GOMA: SESAME

      Once in a while I am asked to reproduce the wide-eyed nature of an almost daydreaming cat. Hands down, cats are the cutest, all day, every single day.

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       EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

       From thread choice to order of work, the following pages will show you what equipment you need and the techniques you can use to complete any of the cat projects.

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