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Problem solving

9 February 2009, 22:34

Problem: exposed kitty litter tray


In our attempt to make the transition over to the other side of our boat (from the self-contained flat to the main part), we set up a new litter tray for Bosco in a pipe void under the bathroom sink. But shortly after we installed it, Bosco was having a scratch, James looked over, and they made awkward eye contact. Bosco meowed in protest! Clearly something was needed to protect his precious modesty!

So I sewed up a little curtain for his litter area using Michael Miller‘s “Bad kitty“ fabric that I had leftover from our throw pillows, adding a nice little border in chocolate brown at the bottom. It’s all cotton and all washable, so it’s no big deal if it gets dirty.

And hurrah! No more litter in sight and I have a happy cat.

Problem: cold feet at night

For those of you not familiar with what a duvet is, it’s essentially a big thick bedspread covered in a giant pillowcase (called a duvet cover), fastened at the bottom so it doen’t all slide out. It’s very popular bedding in England and the rest of Europe, but it does occasionally have its drawbacks – sometimes it can pull up at the bottom and you get cold feet. The sensible person might say to just wear socks (and I do!), but James wanted something to stop the drafts instead.

So I took a bit of sheet that came with the boat, finished all the edges, and made buttonholes that lined up exactly with the buttons on the duvet cover. So it buttons onto the duvet, and the excess fabric gets tucked under the mattress.

And hurrah! No more cold feet and I have a happy man.

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Comments:

  1. How funny! I needed a good laugh and just got two. How creative! Do you think all that creativity is genetic, ha, ha???


    — Mom    Feb 9, 10:53 PM    #

  2. What in the world do you sleep under in the US if it’s not a duvet?


    — melt    Feb 9, 11:23 PM    #

  3. The kitty cover and story made me laugh out loud. Bosco sounds cute! Totally impressed with the ingenuity of the duvet-extender. I think I might give it a go one of these days.


    — Rachel S    Feb 9, 11:43 PM    #

  4. Love what you did for Bosco – even kitties need privacy!!


    — Paulette    Feb 10, 02:05 AM    #

  5. I use a duvet and I live in California (and was raised in New Jersey). Oh, I wear fleece socks when I got to sleep. I like seeing the solutions you come up with! Cool!


    — Rose    Feb 10, 03:23 AM    #

  6. Many Americans use a flat sheet tucked into the bed even though they have a duvet. That helps keep the toes warm too. When not using a duvet they use top and bottom sheets, often a blanket, and a comforter with a patterned, non-removeable cover. Oh so complex, I realize.


    — JenL    Feb 10, 05:20 AM    #

  7. Creative idea for the duvet extension!


    — The Slapdash Sewist    Feb 10, 04:42 PM    #

  8. Melissa, I think we’re twins separated at birth (an advantage for our marrow match possibilities?). I’ve done both of these things, but not with such panache. Your bad kitty curtain fabric (love love love it!!) puts my princesses-on-elephants kitty curtain to shame!!


    — Leslie in Austin    Feb 10, 07:34 PM    #

  9. Happy man and happy cat – well done indeed!


    — Ruth    Feb 11, 02:37 PM    #

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