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An elderly Hispanic woman in glasses and a floral apron hand-stitches a quilt while an orange cat sleeps on a pile of fabric. 13 / 33

Abuela Carmen Had Piles of Fabric Ready for Her Quilt. Mango Picked the Best One.

AI imageorange catquiltinggrandparents

The sewing room is a cheerful riot of fabric, and the softest pile has been claimed. Abuela Carmen sits in her pale blue shirt and floral apron, dark-framed glasses on, carefully hand-stitching a patchwork quilt of pink florals, blue gingham, and cream plaids spread over her lap. Right beside her, Mango has curled into a tight orange ball atop a heap of colorful scraps, his face tucked against his paw, eyes closed, a picture of total peace. Morning light falls through the window, a potted plant sits on the dresser, and baskets overflow with more fabric waiting for its turn.

Cats are drawn to soft fabrics for comfort, warmth, and the familiar scent of their people. Many cats also knead soft materials with their front paws before settling in, a behavior that starts in kittenhood when nursing and often carries into adulthood as a sign of contentment. Some even suckle or chew on fabric, which is worth watching, since swallowing threads or bits of cloth can cause serious digestive problems. When sewing with a cat around, keep needles, pins, and loose thread tucked away, and consider giving your cat a designated soft blanket nearby so they don't nap on the unfinished project.

Mango has clearly found the coziest spot in the house, and Carmen seems perfectly happy to sew around him. Every stitch she adds makes the quilt a little more special. With any luck, he'll let her finish it.

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