I made this photo tutorial so you can see how to sew my Kitty Kate Sewing Pattern ~> scroll down for step-by-step photos!

*** PLEASE NOTE – this in ONLY a PHOTO TUTORIAL ***
The FULL PATTERN IS NOT included here.
It is NOT A FREE PATTERN.

I have made this photo tutorial so people who have purchased the pattern can SEE how to sew a toy Cat (I wanted to explain this so you are not disappointed if you have found this page via a search engine and not from the link in my Kitty Kate sewing pattern!)

 * The Kitty Kate Cat Pattern is available to buy, from the Funky Friends Factory website as an Instant Download e-Pattern.

 

First choose some fabric…

This cat toy pattern can be sewn with most fabrics – woven/non-stretch fabrics (like cotton, corduroy and quilting fabrics) as well as knit/stretchy fabrics (like fleece, velour, chenille, Cuddle, minky and similar fabrics). Fake fur would be AMAZING!

LOOK!
You can sew a toy cat
in ANY colour!

 

 

Right, let’s get sewing!

 

HEAD:

STEP 1

Fold the HEAD PIECES with the fabric right sides together, and sew the darts closed as shown on the pattern markings.

 

 

Don’t worry –
DARTS are EASY!

Darts are used to give a flat piece of fabric a rounder shape. If you are a beginner, you might be thinking that darts are scary?

 

Please RELAX!
It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

 

1. Fold edges together.
2. Pin them closed.
3. Sew the seam.

 

 

 

STEP 2

Sew the HEAD PIECES together from A – B.

 

STEP 3

Sew the BACK HEAD PIECES together from A – C.

TIP: It’s VERY EASY to sew the wrong ends of the BACK HEAD PIECES together so please DOUBLE CHECK you’re sewing them together from A – C (see the BIG purple arrow in the photo below) and NOT between N and E!!!

 

STEP 4

Fold the SNOUT PIECE with the fabric right sides together, and sew the darts closed as shown on the pattern markings.

Here you can see 1 dart sewn…

AND here are BOTH darts sewn.

 

STEP 5

Sew the SNOUT PIECE to the HEAD PIECES from D – B – D.

TIP: You want your kitty’s face to look good  – so take your time and use LOTS of pins.

 

EARS:

STEP 6a

Sew the 2 felt INNER EAR PIECES to 2 of the EAR PIECES as shown on the pattern markings.

STEP 6b

Sew the EAR PIECES together in pairs (1 piece of felt in each ear).

STEP 6c

Trim the seams at the ‘tip’ of the EARS and turn them right sides out.

TIP:  use a wooden chopstick to make sure the seams are well turned so the EARS are ‘pointy’.

 

STEP 7a

Pin the ears in position on the HEAD PIECES, with the felt touching the HEAD PIECES. Sew the EARS in place with a 3mm(⅛ inch) seam.

STEP 7b

Sew the HEAD PIECES to the BACK HEAD PIECES from E – A – E, (with the EARS in between!).

 

 

TAIL: With OR without elastic – you can choose!

Beginners TIP:
I used a piece of elastic to make my Kitty Kate’s tail EXTRA curly. You don’t HAVE to do this if you are a beginner (and you think this is too hard for you to do!). The tail will just be a bit straighter if you don’t add this!

With elastic – do step 8 & 9.
Without elastic – jump to Step 10.

STEP 8

Sew the TAIL PIECES together, leaving the straight edge open for turning.

 

STEP 9a

Cut a piece of elastic about 5cm (2inches) long. Stretch the elastic and pin it so it fits between the stars on the TAIL PIECES. This will make the TAIL gather up into a curl!

STEP 9b

Sew the piece of elastic in position between the stars of the pattern markings on the TAIL PIECES.

 

STEP 10

Turn the TAIL PIECES right sides out.

 

STEP 11

Stuff the TAIL firmly with toy stuffing. Pin the TAIL PIECES closed at the base with the seams lining up together at the centre. Baste (or use the sewing machine) to sew the TAIL PIECES closed at the base.

 

BACK:

STEP 12

Sew the BACK PIECES together from B – G.

 

STEP 13a

Cut the “tail slit’ on the BACK PIECES.

STEP 13b

Pin the tail to the BACK PIECES (inside the slit) lining up the seams of the TAIL PIECES with the seams of the BACK PIECES. Sew the tail in place between the BACK PIECES.

TIP: The gathered seam of the TAIL must be at the front so that the tail will curl towards the FRONT!

* I added the dotted lines, in the photo below, because the TAIL is hidden behind the BACK PIECES.

 

STEP 14

Use the Tail Pinning Diagram to see how to pin the TAIL so that it lies forwards (against the BACK PIECES). Sew a line of stitching across the base of the tail, sewing through all layers (the BODY PIECES and the seam allowance of the TAIL PIECES underneath).

TIP: Sewing across the seam allowance of the TAIL PIECES will help to hold the tail upright so that it ‘stands up’ and will flop forwards rather than backwards.

 

TUMMY:

STEP 15

Sew the TUMMY PIECES together from F- G, at the back – LEAVE THE FRONT OPEN for now.

 

LEGS:

STEP 16

Sew the BACK LEG PIECES together from H – I.

 

STEP 17

Fold the TOP FOOT PIECES with the fabric right sides together, and sew the darts closed.

 

STEP 18

Sew the TOP FOOT PIECES to the BACK LEG PIECES, sew from J – H – J matching the 3 dots of the pattern markings.

 

STEP 19

Sew the BACK LEG PIECES from L – M, remembering to leave a gap for stuffing (see the black arrow in the photo below).

 

STEP 20a

Fold the  FOOT PAD PIECES with the fabric right sides together, and sew the darts closed.

 

STEP 20b

Sew the FOOT PAD PIECES to the BACK LEG & TOP FOOT PIECES, matching points K and M.

TIP: I find this is easiest to sew with the FOOT PAD PIECE  facing down.

 

 

 

STEP 20c

Turn the BACK LEGS right side out and pin them closed at the top.

 

FRONT LEGS (‘ARMS’):

STEP 21a

Sew the FRONT LEGS (“arms”) together in pairs, leaving them open at the top and at the stuffing the gap (see the black arrow in the photo below).

STEP 21b

Turn the FRONT LEGS right side out and pin them closed at the top.

 

STEP 22

Pin the BACK LEGS and FRONT LEGS to the TUMMY PIECES using the the Arm and Leg Pinning Diagram.

 

TIP: Please double check to make sure that the legs are pinned with the stuffing gaps facing the back or the BACK LEGS will be sewn on BACK TO FRONT!

 

STEP 23

Tuck legs inside the body of your kitty and sew the TUMMY PIECES to the BACK PIECES along the side seam, with the legs on between.

TIP: Check that you have caught the FRONT LEGS, BACK LEGS and TAIL in the seam before you go on. Unpick and fix this now if you haven’t!

NECK SEAM:

STEP 24a

Next you will join the head to the body along the neck seam. Pin the BACK HEAD PIECES to the BACK & TUMMY PIECES, matching points N and C.

TIP: I find the easiest way to do this, is to turn the head right side out and position it facing ‘into the body cavity’.

 

 

STEP 24b

Sew the BACK HEAD PIECES to the BACK & TUMMY PIECES, from N – C – N.

 

STEP 25

Pull the head back out of the body cavity and sew your kitty closed from point O on the SNOUT PIECE to P on the TUMMY PIECES, leaving the gap between P and F for turning and stuffing.

 

ASSEMBLY:

STEP 26

Turn your kitty right side out. (Gently pull the FOOT PADS and FRONT LEG PIECES out first.)

 

STEP 27a

Stuff the arms and legs with toy stuffing.

 

STEP 27b

Sew the openings closed with a ladder stitch.

EYES:

STEP 28

Insert two 12mm (½inch) craft eyes in position according to the pattern markings.

TIP: If the toy is for a young child use embroidery thread to sew a French knot instead of craft eyes. I have a post about toy safety on my blog with more toy safety tips and guidelines.

 

STEP 29

Stuff the snout and head very well with toy stuffing. Stuff the body firmly then use a ladder stitch to close the opening on the the TUMMY PIECES.

 

TOES:

STEP 30

Use the Sewing Diagram for Paw pads for the BACK LEGS and the FRONT LEGS. (See the step-by-step instructions below the diagram!)

 

BACK LEGS:

□ Tie a knot in your thread or sew a knot at A to secure your thread.
□ Push your needle in at A and come out under the foot directly under A. Sew in at A and come out again under the foot directly under A. Pull tightly on the thread to make the first ‘toe’.
□ Sew in at A and come out under the foot directly under B. Then sew in at B and come out again under the foot directly under B. Pull tightly to form the next ‘toe’.
□ Sew in at B and come out under the foot directly under C. Then sew in at C and come out again under the foot directly under C. Pull tightly to form the last ‘toe’
□ Sew a knot at C to end off , then sew the end of your thread back into the foot.

 

FRONT LEGS:

□ For the front paws, tie a knot or sew a knot at D to secure your thread.
□ Push your needle in at D and come out under the front paw directly under D. Sew in at D and come out again under the front paw directly under D. Pull tightly on the thread.
□ Sew in at D and come out under the foot directly under E. Then sew in at E and come out again under the front paw directly under E. Pull tightly then sew a knot at E to end off.
□ Sew the end of your thread back into the paw to hide it.

 

FACE:

STEP 31

Using the Face Sewing Diagram as a guide, sew the whiskers and mouth using embroidery thread and straight stitches. Sew the Felt piece in position for the nose with a blanket stitch.

TIP: I like to sew the Felt NOSE PIECE on AFTER I sew the the whiskers  – so I can hide my start and finishing knots under the nose!

 

Your kitty is ready to LOVE!

 

Come join the fun on Facebook!

When you’ve made your own toy cat – come and post some photos of your NEW Funky Friend for me to see on my Funky Friends Factory Facebook page. *

* You could WIN a FREE PATTERN in the MAKER OF THE MONTH Pattern Giveaway!

 

I can’t wait to see the Funky Friends you sew!

bye for now,

Pauline