The Jellicle Cattery

One of my favourite books is T. S. Elliot's volume of poems, "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats", which is the book that the musical "Cats" was based on. Just about my favourite poem in the book is the one about the Jellicle Cats - if you don't know it, here's a link

https://poets.org/poem/song-jellicles

It has such funny descriptions of cats that I've been thinking for a long time of how to make an embroidery design from it. Eventually I decided that since this is after all a poem, and its importance lies in its words, it seemed logical to try to make a calligraphic design out of it - that is, a design in which the shapes are made up of words

I envisaged a large panel with a dozen or so cats embroidered on it, each cat made from a set of several lines form the poem. This will be a big project, of course, and so far I've only found the time to digitise the first six. But I quite like them and will try to make some others in the near future. Here are two of them. They aren't very colourful but as we are assured that "Jellicle Cats are black and white", I haven't much choice in the matter!

 

"Jellicle Cats are black and white: Jellicle Cats are rather small"

 

"The Jellicle Moon is shining bright: Jellicles come to the Jellicle ball"

Comments

[Jane]

I love them!!! There is no box for you to think within...great job.

[Gail Beam]

Hi Mia, Your Jellicle cats are Awesome!!Your imagination and creativity have really come to the forefront in these cats! You always seem to astound us in the embroideries you create.

[Sandra Lane]

Wow, Mia this is very different. Their little faces are quite cute, you have done an outstanding job with these. I shall have to check out the poem. Very original, well done.

[Tonya Everley]

These are delightful!

[Liz]

These cats are wonderful!!!!

[Ramona]

Mia, great job in capturing the poem in the 2 cats shown here. Love the two that you are showing us. Can't wait to see your completed panel.

[shirley]

Love them My favourite show . can't wait to see the rest you do.

[Beverly]

Ohh so much fun! I love your cats. Adorable!

[Chantal Clot-Grangeat]

Belles réalisations Mia
Ces chats nous parlent

[Gitta]

nice thinking with the lettering, cool way to show of a poem!

[Violette McConnell]

I absolutely love the cats, a bit of a challenge to read but that's hat's so attractive. Can't wai to see the rest Good job.

[Sr. Kateri]

Oh, oh, oh, so adorbs!