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Happy kitty kennel mats with Michaels Craft it Forward

by

RAOK1

Did you know that this week is Random Acts of Kindness Week? I didn’t, but it seems appropriate that it takes place during the week of Valentine’s.  In celebration on Sunday, Feb 17, 2013, Michaels will be giving away more than $100,000 in gift cards at their store locations across the U.S. and Canada.  Their hope is that those who receive this random act of kindness will then Craft it Forward with a random act of kindness of their own.

Can I just say I love Michaels?  This is such an awesome program.  AND, to help spread the word about Random Acts of Kindess Week and their Craft it Forward promotion, they sent me a gift card to create a craft to bring a smile to others.  Seriously, I love Michaels!

And not to sidetrack my post any further, but want to hear something exciting?  Michaels has given me 5 $5 gift cards to give to Craft Gossip readers, so you, too, can Craft it Forward.  You can go to my post in our Giveaways section to get entered.

But now, let me get on to showing you what I made with my supplies.

When I thought about crafting it forward, the Little Rock Animal Village immediately came to mind.  Our family has been blessed twice with cats from their shelter.  The folks here love animals and work tirelessly to help their temporary residents find their forever homes.

I used my Michaels gift card to buy supplies to make several projects for the cats staying at Little Rock Animal Village.  I’ve split them into several posts.

Today I’m showing the happy kitty kennel mats I made.  I bought a stack of t-shirts in bright colors to make the outsides of the mats.  The shirts turned out to be on sale for just $3 each.  Yay!!!  The filling was donated by someone who works at Little Rock Animal Village.  With 13 shirts, I made 18 mats.

They’re all mixy-matchy and bright and happy.

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And because they’re t-shirt material, they’re also soft and snuggly.

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Each one is unique.

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DSC_2332_edited_smallDo you see that black kitty tail?  That’s Mogli’s.  He’s one our kitties who came to us by way of Little Rock Animal Village.

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My hope is that they’ll make the kitties’ kennels a little happier and brighter and softer until they find their own forever home.

Here’s Mogli again.  Isn’t he a handsome kitty?  He had to check out what I was doing with all those soft mats.

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Check back tomorrow to see another project I made with the supplies I got from Michaels.  And be sure to go enter my giveaway!

For insipiration, check out the Michaels Random Act of Kindness Pinterest board to see what other bloggers have done to Craft It Forward.

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Comments

  1. I LOVE Little Rock Animal Village. I LOVE Michaels for sharing the love. And I LOVE you for putting the two together. Those snuggly cushions are going to make a lot of lonesome little kittehs a little happier. Yea!

  2. LOVE the fact that you have cats from a shelter and that you’ve made such a lovely sewing craft and contribution to the kitties currently at shelters. All of my pets have come from shelters and my kitty is a very big assistant with sewing projects and giveaways on my blog.

    I also just hosted a Pay it Forward event on my blog last week! Love this idea.

  3. Oh, love the mats. I’m going to make some for our local humain society. I got my little Sophie from there.

  4. All my cats have been feral strays who showed up at my door. Couldn’t ask for a better pet. Thanks to Michaels and everyone who crafts and donates to the shelters.

  5. Great project…love that Michael’s is doing Craft it Forward. Mogli is a beautiful cat. Of course he had to check the mats out – so bright and cheerful!

    • I don’t remember the size. I wish I had written that down! The people at the Animal Village measured the inside of their kennels to give me the dimensions. The stuffing was just a layer of high-loft quilt batting. –Anne

Have you read?

Sewing Pattern Saturday Review: Sleepy Pleated Pants Sewing Pattern

Sewing Pattern Saturday is where I get to dig into independent Etsy sewing patterns that feel thoughtful, wearable, and genuinely useful. Each review is written from a real sewist’s point of view, looking at how the pattern works in everyday life, not just how it photographs. It’s also my way of supporting small creative businesses on Etsy who are designing patterns that fit real wardrobes and real routines.

This week’s pattern is the Sleepy Pleated Pants Sewing Pattern, and it’s one of those designs that immediately signals comfort without looking sloppy.

First Impressions

At first glance, these pants feel relaxed, soft, and intentionally loose. The pleats add structure and movement, while the wide leg keeps everything flowing and comfortable. They have that lovely, slightly oversized silhouette that feels calm and effortless rather than trendy or overworked.

These aren’t pants designed to be tight or restrictive. They’re clearly made with comfort in mind, but still look considered and wearable outside the house.

Style & Wearability

What really stands out about this pattern is how versatile the finished pants look. They sit comfortably at the waist with gentle pleating that adds shape without bulk. The wide leg drapes beautifully, making them ideal for relaxed days, creative work, or slow weekends.

They’d work well for:

  • Everyday wear

  • Work-from-home wardrobes

  • Casual outings

  • Creative or studio settings

  • Comfortable travel outfits

Styled with a simple knit, cardigan, or button-up shirt, they feel polished enough to wear out while still being incredibly comfortable.

Skill Level & Sewing Experience

I’d place this pattern in the confident beginner to intermediate range.

You’ll want to be comfortable with:

  • Sewing pleats accurately

  • Working with wider pattern pieces

  • Waistband construction

  • Achieving a good drape through fabric choice

The construction itself isn’t overly complex, but accuracy matters, especially with the pleats. Taking your time here really pays off in how the pants hang and move once finished.

Instructions & Pattern Design

The pattern design feels thoughtful and well balanced. The pleats are placed in a way that adds movement rather than volume, and the overall proportions give the pants their relaxed, wearable feel.

This is the kind of pattern that rewards careful cutting, pressing, and fabric handling. It’s not rushed sewing, but it’s very satisfying if you enjoy seeing a garment slowly take shape.

Fabric Choices & Customisation

Fabric choice is key with this pattern and completely changes the final look. It works beautifully with:

  • Linen

  • Lightweight wool

  • Soft cotton twill

  • Rayon or viscose blends

A crisp fabric gives a more structured, tailored feel, while softer fabrics lean into that “sleepy,” relaxed aesthetic. You could easily make multiple versions for different seasons or moods.

There’s also room to customise length, waistband finish, or even pocket details if you like to tweak patterns once you’re familiar with them.

Finished Look & Longevity

Once finished, these pants feel like a wardrobe staple rather than a one-off project. They’re comfortable, flattering, and easy to style, which means they’re likely to be worn often rather than saved for special occasions.

This is exactly the kind of handmade garment that quietly becomes a favourite.

Is This Sewing Pattern Worth Making?

If you’re looking for a wide leg pleated pants sewing pattern that prioritises comfort without sacrificing style, this one is well worth considering. It’s relaxed, thoughtfully designed, and results in pants that feel good to wear all day.

The Sleepy Pleated Pants Sewing Pattern fits beautifully into Sewing Pattern Saturday. It’s calm, wearable, and ideal for sewists who love garments that feel as good as they look.

Pattern name: Sleepy Pleated Pants Sewing Pattern
 Available on: Etsy
 Best suited to: Confident beginners and intermediate sewists who enjoy relaxed, comfortable garment sewing