Linen Cat Toy Tutorial
Make something for your faithful companion using our favorite fabric….linen!
This cat toy is inspired by Martha Stewart’s Catnip Fish Toy. I stuffed my adorable cat toys with cotton rather than catnip, but you can fill yours with catnip if you like.
I chose my colors based on what pieces of linen I had leftover from other projects. I wonder if there are certain colors cats are more attracted to….does anyone reading know? If so, I’d love to know!
The steps for this are incredibly easy-to-follow and don’t even require a sewing machine if you don’t want to break yours out.
Even the clumsiest sewing skills work just fine for this craft! It’s all about having fun making a simple craft for your little pet. In fact, I always think it adds a certain charm when something is hand-stitched.
Well then, let’s get this craft started! You only need a few materials to make this playful fish toy for your feline friend.
Materials:
- Linen
- Cotton stuffing (which I tend to refer to simply as “fluff”)
- Scissors
- Needle and threadTwine (optional)
- Catnip (optional)
- Fish Template (available here)
Then, cut out your two fishes.
Place the two cut-out fishes on top of each other so all the edges line up. Then, thread your needle and begin to stitch them together. Stitch about a ¼ inch from the edge.
If you want to attach a piece of string to the end of the toy, this is the time to do so. I used twine for mine and inserted it through a whole I made with a needle.
I tightly knotted the end so it will be able to survive even an extra feisty kitty. You can knot the other end in a loop to fit around your hand if you like also.
Hand-stitch the open at the mouth shut so that its completely closed.
Leave a comment
Related posts
How to Sew a Blind Hem Using Your Machine
Most people who sew are familiar with a simple hem but what is the blind hem? This hem is meant to be almost hidden. If you’d like to make your hem less noticeable or have wondered how clothing manufacturers achieve that hem that looks like a couple dash marks that seem to be farther apart…
Tutorial: Shirring with Elastic Thread
Shirring with elastic thread is a great skill for you to add to your sewing knowledge. Shirring on tiny baby clothes, a flirty summer tank top or even a great additional panel on the back of a dress that adds interest and size flexibility to a piece much like the FS Rhea Dress. This technique…
Cutting Edge Meets Greek Elegance: The Fashion of Sophia Kokosalaki
Contemporary, Greek-born fashion designer Sophia Kokosalaki was part of a burgeoning group of designers who rejuvenated the British fashion scene during the early naughties. Her uncanny ability to weave cutting edge, punk templates with the timeless elegance and draped silhouettes of the Greek traditions that had informed her way of thinking since childhood swiftly earned…
Tutorial: How to Add a Spot of Delight to Your Home aka Make a Linen Bunting Banner
Four years ago, I found an old brick house that had been a rental property for years. The realtor wasn’t convinced this was a good house for me because it needed so much work. It was a winter day when we first visited, but the yellow sunshine streaming in the big windows made the house…
Tutorial: How to Make Puff Sleeves
If you’d like a little extra puff in your sleeve, it just takes a few extra minutes and steps to make it happen. This tutorial uses the lovely free Eva pattern from Fabrics-Store with the 3/4 sleeve option with an extended hem. Let’s jump in! Steps 1. Make a copy of the sleeve pattern out…
SEW THIS LOOK
Latest Posts
6 Comments
nicole novembrino
Hi Elena! I used IL019 linen in Turtle Green, Vineyard Green, Cement, and Taxicab.
Elena
What shades of linen were used on the kitty toys? These fishies convey the fabric shades so much better than the swatches on the website :)!
nicole novembrino
@Amy- Thanks! I’m happy I was able to guess a couple colors right!
@Franchesca- Sewing the string along the inside is probably much better reinforcement (especially if you have an extra playful kitty). Great idea! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Franchesca
I would only add one more thing to these. 🙂
My kitty rips the strings off all her toys. I would run the “dragging” string (if you end up using it as a teasing toy) all around the fish. Just sew it along the inside edge before you turn it inside out. 🙂
Marsha
Great toys. I made some like this and added some “tails” of 5″ shredded fabric. They have “fluff” and catnip inside. My cats love them and usually pick them out of their toy basket first! Good job!
Amy L. Finkel
About colors cats can see: Hi, Nicole! Actually, as far as what colors are visible to cats, you got it exactly right. The latest research shows that kitties see yellows, greens and perhaps some blues, but not oranges or reds. Oddly, our vision is sharper than cats’… that is, we can focus more clearly… but cats’ perception of motion is far more sensitive than ours (science has no answer for us, yet, on why they always want to be on the other side of a closed door).
Thanks for an adorable article!
-Amy L.,
Alpharetta, GA.