Cisco and the Catfish are the result of a couple of afternoons of fun sewing back in January and February. I intended to post about them earlier, but got distracted by other projects.
I like to try something new and different now and then, and when I saw the Sardine pattern by Wooly Petals and all the cute sardines going around Instagram, I was hooked. I did a little fishing in my stash, and came up with some fun fabric.
Cisco, the larger of the two, is 36″ long. Hubs named him Cisco after the lake herring found in the deep cold waters of Lake Superior. Around here, they are called “ciscos”. So the name seemed appropriate. The blue fabric on his back is an oar print that I’ve had in my stash for ages, and I thought it would be fun to use.
Catfish is 24″ long, and I’m pretty sure you can see where his name comes from. I’ve had that cat print in my stash awhile, too, and had to use it. I mean, cats and fish – right?!
The eyes of both fish are wool felt scraps, and hand stitched. The rest of the fish body parts are fabric scraps.
The back sides of the fish are just plain, I used the two prints, but it doesn’t have to be the same as the front fabrics.
Honestly, I think stuffing them took longer than the sewing, at least it felt like it! The large one is a bit floppy, so I could’ve stuffed him a bit more.
If you go to the Wooly Petals website, you will see that she has expanded the sizes for the Sardines since I made this pattern. Now you can make one that is 72″ – a full body pillow! She also posted a pillow using the Sardine pattern on Instagram, and it was really cute! I’m very tempted to give that a try!
Cisco and the Catfish will eventually hang in my quilt room. Hubs and I used to be called “Fish and Fishette” (due to our last name, which often gets confused with tuna), so it will be a nod to that goofy silliness.
You would think Cisco and the Catfish would be irresistable to Wilbs, but here’s his reaction.
Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek at Cisco and the Catfish!
Wendy
Well, despite what Wilbur thinks, I think they’re adorable. Cats. What’re ya gonna do?
These fish are fun and your post made me smile. The fabrics you’ve chosen are perfect and they will be a very cheerful ornament to your sewing room 😀
A handsome pair.
You certainly have some interesting fabric in your stash!
Adorable fish! I’m a little surprised by the lack luster view of Wibbs! Then again, I’m sure he has lots of other distractions to fill his days!
So very funny and cute! How rude of Wilbs to not welcome them to the house.
Very fun and colorful. The cat fabric for your Catfish is really cute. Maybe Wilbs doesn’t like fish, unless it’s tuna or salmon?
LOL on Wilbs’ reaction! Those are just darling, and I love the story behind them. “I was hooked. I did a little fishing . . . ” I saw what you did there 😉
Your fish are the only ones I would like to fish for. They both are so fun.
Oh, what fun prints to use for Cisco and Catfish! I can certainly imagine that stuffing would take some time, and I don’t even know where I’d go to purchase stuffing now that Joann Fabrics has closed!
Well that is certainly something new to try out! They turned out so cute, love the cat and oar prints, so appropriate.
Your fish are fun, Wendy! I love their names and the fun fabric prints you used to make them. Of course the catfish needed some cats!
Such a happy project. What a creative way to use the fabric and to make a big and little fish family. They do make me smile. Poor Wilbs. He probably knows they aren’t edible. I do love the story that accompanies these fish.
I may accidentally start calling you “Fishette” again!
Awww, adorable!! I had no clue sardines were a thing! LOL Growing up we (first my grandparents, then my parents) had a little country store and we lived about four miles from the river. Many would stop on their way fishing and buy cans of sardines and crackers to eat on the water! These are fun and bring back lots of memories!
Well, apparently my first post didn’t come through, but in case it did, please delete this one! These are just too cute! Love them and their names. Growing up we (my grandparents, then my parents) had a little country store. We lived about four miles from the river and many would stop in and get sardines and crackers and cheese to eat while trying to catch their own fish! Thanks for the great memory!
Those are so cute and yeah, I was thinking maybe Wilbs would love them? I think a smaller version with catnip inside would seriously boost his interest!
the pillows look like a nice size to put on the chair behind your back for lumbar support they are cute
Omg…. Wendy!!! I love the fun in this projects. Thats what we need, fun doing our sewing! Just wonderfull!! And this playing with wording, tuna, fish,… ok some tuna exzra snacks for Wilbs may get him out of his basket?
Tundra could be dangerous for the fish! He may will take them and play sith them!
Lovely lovely lovely and catfish fabric…. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I recognize that Quilt Minnesota fabric! A couple of fun finishes, Wendy!
Sooo fun – I’m looking forward to seeing how you display Cisco and Catfish in your studio!
I looked at the Wooly Petals website and see a lobster in my future… The stuff that dreams are made of…
These are cute — love the fabrics that go along with the fish theme. I always love seeing a good sewing project that doesn’t involve triangles! 🙂
Your sardines are so cute!
They are fun and I love the connection to your nicknames. The oar fabric is really perfect. I am surprised that Wilbur did not react to them…Percy would have been all over them!
The fish are adorable! The fabrics are so fun as are the names 🙂