The "Cat Lady" fabric collection by Sarah Watts for Cotton + Steel has achieved legendary status in the quilting and sewing community, transcending its original release to become a highly coveted "Out of Print" (OOP) treasure. As of December 10, 2025, the enduring appeal of this quirky, whimsical line continues to drive a vibrant resale market, with sewists scouring online shops for the last remaining pieces of its uniquely illustrated prints.

This deep dive into the Cat Lady line explores the collection's genius, the creative force behind it, and the definitive guide on how to track down these elusive, feline-inspired designs today, long after its initial run with the original Cotton + Steel brand.

Sarah Watts: The Illustrator and Fabric Designer Profile

The magic of the Cat Lady collection is inseparable from its creator, Sarah Watts. Her distinctive illustrative style—characterized by delicate detail, whimsical characters, and a touch of the macabre—has made her one of the most recognizable voices in modern textile design.

• Full Name: Sarah Watts
• Primary Roles: Illustrator, Surface Designer, Art Educator, Licensing Artist
• Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Illustration from Ringling College of Art and Design
• Location: Based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
• Founding Role (Past): Co-founder and Designer for Cotton + Steel
• Current Role (Present): Designer for Ruby Star Society (the successor brand to Cotton + Steel)
• Signature Style: Known for detailed, quirky, and often narrative-driven illustrations featuring animals, nature, and unique characters.
• Notable Collections: Cat Lady, From Porto with Love, Clover, and numerous collections for Ruby Star Society.

Watts' transition from a freelance illustrator to a celebrated fabric designer and co-founder of the groundbreaking Cotton + Steel collective cemented her influence. Her work is a bridge between fine art and commercial design, making her collections, including Cat Lady, feel more like wearable or usable pieces of art rather than simple patterned textiles.

The Quirky Genius of the Cat Lady Collection

The Cat Lady collection was a standout release during the original Cotton + Steel era, succeeding her earlier cat-themed work in the From Porto with Love line. It perfectly captured a celebratory, non-judgmental view of the "Crazy Cat Lady" stereotype, turning it into a badge of honor for animal lovers and sewists alike.

The collection is a masterclass in thematic textile design, blending sophisticated color palettes with delightfully eccentric motifs. Key elements that define its enduring appeal include:

1. Unforgettable Print Motifs:

The prints are the heart of the collection, each telling a small, charming story. They go beyond simple cat silhouettes, incorporating whimsical accessories and detailed scenes.

• Friskers: Perhaps the most famous print, featuring detailed, expressive cat faces, often released in popular substrates like Teal Double Gauze and Pink Double Gauze. This print is extremely sought-after for garment sewing due to the soft drape of the double gauze fabric.
• Pouncy Balls: A playful print featuring cats mid-pounce, often depicted on Quilting Cotton in rich colorways like Navy and Neutral, making it ideal for piecing.
• Kitten Mittens: A print whose name alone evokes the collection's charming absurdity, often featuring cats wearing tiny, fancy gloves—a recurring, highly unique motif in Watts’ work.
• Cat Lady Gold: Prints featuring metallic gold accents, a hallmark of many Cotton + Steel collections, which adds a touch of luxury and shimmer to the quirky designs.

2. Versatile Fabric Substrates:

Unlike many basic quilting collections, Cat Lady was released in a variety of fabric bases. This versatility is another reason for its lasting popularity. The collection included standard quilting cotton, a smoother rayon for apparel, and the incredibly soft double gauze, allowing sewists to use the prints for everything from quilts and tote bags to dresses and scarves.

Tracking Down the Out-of-Print (OOP) Cat Lady Fabric in 2025

The Cotton + Steel brand, as it was known when the Cat Lady collection was released, has since evolved. Sarah Watts and her fellow designers transitioned to form the highly successful Ruby Star Society, meaning the original Cat Lady line is officially Out of Print (OOP). This scarcity has only intensified its desirability, turning it into a collector's item.

Finding a Fat Quarter Bundle or yardage of a specific print like Friskers Double Gauze requires patience and knowing where to look on the secondary market. Here is the definitive guide to hunting down this elusive fabric:

Three Best Places to Find Retired Cat Lady Fabric

1. Etsy and eBay (The Resale Hubs):

These platforms are the primary markets for OOP fabric. Sellers frequently list remnants, pre-cut bundles (like the coveted Fat Quarter Bundle), or single yards from their personal stashes. Search using specific entity keywords like "Sarah Watts Cat Lady," "Cotton + Steel OOP Cat Lady," or the print names (Friskers, Pouncy Balls, Kitten Mittens) to narrow down results. Prices here are typically higher than the original retail price due to the collector status.

2. Specialty Online Fabric Shops (The Remaining Stock):

Occasionally, smaller, independent fabric retailers who purchased large quantities upon release may still have limited stock of certain prints. These shops sometimes list them as "vintage" or "retired" collections. Searching for "Cat Lady Cotton + Steel yardage" on Google Shopping often leads to these hidden gems. Look for shops that specialize in designer cotton and modern quilting fabrics.

3. Facebook and Online Quilting Groups:

The most dedicated fabric collectors use private Facebook groups and online forums (like those associated with Moda Fabrics or the modern quilting movement) to trade and sell rare fabrics. Searching for "ISO (In Search Of) Cat Lady" in these communities can connect you directly with a sewist willing to destash their yardage. This is often the best way to find specific colorways or the double gauze version.

The legacy of Sarah Watts' Cat Lady collection is a testament to the power of unique, illustration-driven design in the textile world. While the original Cotton + Steel brand may have evolved into Ruby Star Society, the charming, quirky cats of Cat Lady continue to inspire sewists and delight collectors, ensuring its place as a true cult classic in the history of modern fabric design.