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A grandmother in a cardigan sews a patchwork quilt while a large tabby Maine Coon sleeps on the fabric beside her. 23 / 36

A Quilt in Progress and a Sleeping Maine Coon on the Spare Fabric

AI imagemaine coonquiltingsewing

A patchwork quilt of blue, rose and peach squares lies across the table, and Nora is stitching its edge with a steady hand. Beside her, a pile of cotton prints supports a sleeping Maine Coon, her striped fur blending into the florals and her face tucked down in total comfort. Nora, in a cream cardigan with her gray hair in a loose bun, concentrates on the needle. The sunny kitchen behind them holds a houseplant, wooden cabinets and a jar of scissors and tools on the counter.

Cats are drawn to piles of fabric, which feel soft, hold body heat and smell like their person. Maine Coons also like warmth, and a bed of cotton prints can feel like a nest. If you sew with a cat around, keep supplies safe. Needles and pins can injure paws or be swallowed, and thread is particularly dangerous because it can cause intestinal blockages if eaten. Store scissors and sewing notions in closed containers, and check the area before she sits down. A cat that sleeps nearby is often a sign of contentment. Provide her own soft blanket near your sewing spot, and she may choose it over the quilt in progress.

Nora works around the sleeping cat, shifting the fabric with care. The quilt will be a bit rumpled, a bit furry and entirely loved. Years from now someone will wrap up in it and feel the warmth of an afternoon like this one, even without knowing the story behind the stitches.

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