Fat Cat Crafts

One of the greatest perks to being a member of Rebel Legion is that I get to meet all types of interesting people.  Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Kathleen Schmid, owner and operator of Fat Cat Crafts -- who designs homemade pincushion cats; including a NEW series of Star Wars character cats. In fact, Kathleen’s Fat Cats are making a bit of a name for her within the Star Wars crafts community.  

“All Wings Report In” sat down with Kathleen recently, to discuss how pincushion cats made their way into “a galaxy far, far away.”

AWRI: How about a little background on Fat Cat Crafts, when did you start?

I posted my first pincushion cat up on Etsy in September of 2008.  I posted up a basic black cat with a red collar.  Though it took many months of experimenting before that with how I wanted them to look and figuring out the proper pattern.  And over the last few years they’ve evolved -- a lot.  They’ve gotten bigger and much more complicated.  I never imagined that I would have taken on so many character styles.  When I opened shop back in 2008, the only idea I had was the basic sitting cat.

AWRI: How many Fat Cats have you made over the years?

I’ve made too many Fat Cats to count.  I have over 120 characters in my shop right now; plus extra custom orders characters that aren’t part of the available items.  Then if you add into it Etsy sales, craft fair sales, other offline sales and ones I’ve made for myself there are a ton of Fat Cats floating around.  I’ve pulled lots of all nighters, especially during the holiday season, to complete orders.

AWRI: Abut how long does it take to create on Fat Cat Crafts pincushion?

To make a basic cat (no skirt/attire/extra details/etc.) it takes about an hour to complete.  The majority of the sewing is done by hand so the work can get pretty time consuming.  Though, others can take up to and sometimes over 2 hours, such as the ones with multiple clothing layers, painted or clay pieces.

AWRI: What inspired you to create Star Wars Fat Cats?

The Star Wars cats came into play after an event that I did for the library I work at, which was putting on a “May the Fourth Be With You” event.  And previously for other events, I made costumes and came dressed up.  So of course I did for this one as well. I made a Padme costume.  Our library had invited members from the Rebel Legion, 501st and Mandalorian Mercs.  Though I will admit, I was unaware of it at the time. I had absolutely no idea what was in store for this event.  I just showed up in costume and was greeted by multiple costumed characters.  And I, along with all the other library employees and the members visiting the event, was amazed at how awesome the costumed groups were.  The energy and spirit that they put into the event was incredible.  

 I had so much fun walking around the library and taking pictures with them that night.  And I was still in the Star Wars frame of mind that I can home and started working on a Princess Leia cat pincushion, which was the costume I almost made until I (at the last minute) changed my mind to Padme.  I loved how Leia turned out, so I decided she needed a Han Solo.  And with perfect timing -- just as I was figuring out Han Solo -- I got a custom order request for an Obi Wan Kenobi; but I decided I needed a bad guy to go with the three good guys.  And who’s more evil than Darth Vader?  No one!  

I plan on having about 14 Star Wars characters in all, when all is said and done.  The one I’m most excited about is Yoda, him being my favorite character in all.  Though due to his color scheme, I have to dye the pom poms (supplies I use for the arms and feet) to the proper color, and I haven’t done that yet.  Chewbacca proves to be another issue because all my cats are completely functioning pincushions.

The majority of people that collect them do not use them as such, but I strive on the fact that they can be used as such.  Chewbacca, being incredibly furry, is going to be a tough one to make and still have him serve as a functioning pincushion.  But I’ll figure out a way. Han Solo needs his Chewie.

AWRI: We talked about how your Star Wars Fat Cats are going to be featured during a crafts panel at Star Wars Celebration VI - what would that type of international exposure mean to a small business like Fat Cat Crafts?

That’s pretty cool!  I wish I were going to be there to see it!  Yes, at least one of my Star Wars pincushion cats will be making his debut at Star Wars Celebration VI in a Fan Made Collectibles panel.  That exposure could mean everything!  With only one person running Fat Cat Crafts, it’s pretty hard to get everything done that needs to get done: filling orders, creating new characters, promoting, networking, etc and still trying to have a life.  The list can do on forever.  So this sort of exposure at such a high profile event is amazing!  Though, I’m more unbelievably proud and honored that some one feels my work is good enough to display at such a major event.  And excited!

AWRI: Where can Star Wars fans (after CVI) find you to order their own Fat Cats?

I can be found on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/FatCatCrafts -- Etsy pretty much an Ebay style site for crafters. Everyone has their own online store through Etsy. There are some pretty cool shops there!  I also post up updates, info and pictures through my Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/FatCatCrafts and I plan on starting up a new blog soon.

AWRI: You’ve mentioned that your favorite holiday is Halloween and you enjoy dressing up in costumes. How has your experience dressing up as Padme been so far?

I LOVE Halloween! And yes, I love making costumes and dressing up. I don’t see myself growing out of that anytime soon. In fact, my cat costume is still hanging on the back of my door -- just waiting for Boo at the Zoo this year.  And my Max costume from “Where the Wild Things Are” is hanging up as well. Though, that one is because I have no idea where to store it -- the tail is huge!

Dressing up as Padme has been a blast!  Normally, I pick really weird or obscure characters to dress up as and no one knows who I am.  This one the majority of people know who I am, and the others think I’m Princess Leia -- so at least they’re in the right field.  It’s great to interact with the kids and the other Star Wars costumers.  At one of the events, I had a little boy dressed up as Darth Vader who kept following me, taking pictures with me and said I was his girlfriend -- it was really sweet.  Another time, a kid made me a droid with Padme’s name on it from a paper towel roll -- it’s still on my shelf.