KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — Being a homebody is not necessarily a bad thing, especially if it leads to the discovery of a hidden talent. Mary Sii loves nothing better than staying at home and she was given the nickname Homy by her friends.

The cat lover was never really good at sewing until she started mending her husband’s clothes. As she started learning how to sew, she developed a talent for making pillow toys out of old T-shirts that were initially meant to be donated.

Homy Cat was born in July 2012 but Sii only started the Facebook page in September that year. She was inspired by a Hong Kong graphic designer who loves recycling things.

Missing the cats she used to own in Sarawak, Sii decided to start making plush toys that also function as a pillow. With a background in interior design and a decade-long career in the same field, Sii did not expect to stumble upon this business.

Dolls with interchangeable clothes are also part of her collection
Dolls with interchangeable clothes are also part of her collection

“I was a tutor for two years in UCSI and I was doing my Masters in Visual Art at University of Malaya. I was also doing Homy Cat at the time when I got pregnant,” said Sii.

She did not manage to complete her Masters because of the baby and Homy Cat was also put on hold for six months. Sii then decided to be a homemaker so she can dedicate all her time for her baby.

Sii uses an iPad to sketch the designs before they are sewn
Sii uses an iPad to sketch the designs before they are sewn

Prior to getting pregnant, Sii participated in many bazaars, starting with Little Red Market in Publika. She was also in Bangsar Shopping Centre’s Seek and Keep bazaar.

After her maternity break, she wanted to start a new collection and in June this year, she resumed participating in bazaars, starting with Handmade Journal in Centrepoint.

“I used to be able to make two to three toys a day but now I only have time to make one a day,” said Sii. The reason why she makes pillow toys is because when she was young, she loved pillows.

Until now, she still has a “smelly pillow” — that childhood version of a security blanket so many of us grew up with. While doing research for Homy Cat, she also found out that the term pillow toy was not used frequently. Most people just made plush toys but pillow toys were rare.

This superhero toy is an evolution of the animals she usually makes (left). Possibly one of the first pillow toys she ever made (right)
This superhero toy is an evolution of the animals she usually makes (left). Possibly one of the first pillow toys she ever made (right)

She also learned about the different materials that can be used so that she can make pillow toys that can be washed. She learned a lot from the Internet and through that, she also learned how to use the sewing machine to make Homy Cat pillow toys.

Now her collection extends beyond cats, with other characters like dolls, robots and other creatures.

A bolster cat is what you need if you’re into bolsters and cats (left). Homy Cat also has toys with funny expressions! (right)
A bolster cat is what you need if you’re into bolsters and cats (left). Homy Cat also has toys with funny expressions! (right)

“I believe that self-learning is faster than learning from someone else. When you are self-taught, you have the passion to learn more,” she said.

Priced at RM50 to RM150, the pillow toys come in different sizes and materials. No two toys are identical because they are all handmade.

Sii’s son is always the first to try out her products (left). Fancy a doggie with a home? (right)
Sii’s son is always the first to try out her products (left). Fancy a doggie with a home? (right)

Her son, who is now 11 months old, is a fan of Homy Cat pillow toys. He has his favourites such as the cowboy pillow toy and he is the “tester” for Homy Cat pillow toys.

Find out more about Homy Cat at https://www.facebook.com/pages/homycat-%E5%AE%85%E8%B2%93/365260103554691?fref=ts