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An older Asian American man in a sweater vest hand-sews a patchwork quilt while a cream Havanese sleeps on the fabric. 17 / 30

Grandpa Ken Laid Out All His Quilt Squares. Mochi Found the Softest One.

AI imagehavanesequiltingcozy home

Fabric is everywhere in this cozy corner: squares of faded blue denim, rusty orange, cream florals, and plaid, all piled across a table and spilling onto the couch. Grandpa Ken bends over a nearly finished patchwork quilt in his gray sweater vest and blue plaid shirt, glasses on, pulling a needle and thread through with steady, practiced hands. And sprawled right across the middle of the scraps lies Mochi, fast asleep, her long cream coat blending into the soft fabric and her chin resting on a folded square. A basket of yarn, a teacup, a tote bag, and a framed photo add to the homey scene.

Dogs often choose to nap on fabric that smells like their people, and a pile of soft quilt pieces is basically an invitation. For long-coated breeds like the Havanese, though, sewing areas can bring a few extra hazards. Threads and loose fibers can get tangled in fur, and swallowed thread, pins, or needles can be very dangerous. It helps to keep pins in a closed container, count needles before and after sewing, and do a quick sweep of the area when you finish. If you ever think your dog has swallowed thread or a needle, call your vet right away.

Ken stitches carefully around his sleeping helper, clearly unwilling to disturb such a peaceful nap.

When the quilt is finished, it will be warm, beautiful, and already tested and approved by its smallest critic.

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