Last year I made cat toys for my friends with kitties. Our cats loved them so much that I thought I’d again make some for gifts.
Before I start the tutorial I want to show you the quality control inspector. I’d hate for any of these toys to go out of the house without spot checking the product.
I gave one to Puddin, Inspector #2, and immediately she started playing with it. It is hers now.
So let’s get started.
You will need fabric, stuffing, catnip, scissors, needle, and thread. Also, I use my sewing machine, but they can be sewed by hand. Rotary cutter, mat and glue are optional.
Cut the fabric 5 x 4.5 inch squares.
Next fold fabric square right sides together. Then cut it in the shape of one side of a heart. Seems like we did a lot of this cutting in school!
Open up the heart and cut in half.
Cut a 1 inch square of felt for the ears. Cut it in an oval.
Glue folded ear to right side of one half of heart. You could stitch this felt down instead.
Place other half of heart pattern side down on half side with ears attached. Sew all around leaving an opening in the bottom.
Turn inside out and stuff.
Don’t forget about the catnip.
Once they are stuffed, sew up the opening.
Now, before they are sent to their new homes, I will spritz them with the Catnip Hydrosol. This step is optional. In fact, the one Puddin is playing with did not get sprayed!
The finished toy…
You don’t have to add the ears and you could add a tail. It’s a great way to use up some of those fabric scraps.
Meanwhile back with Puddin and her new toy.
I really should dry some of my catnip and make the babies some toys!
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Robin, Our dried catnip was a couple years old and it was still potent. We tried a piece out on Puddin before I put it in the toy and she went wild. Yep, it’s nice to use our own catnip.
Looks like you made your kitty very happy!!! Great idea to use for scraps.
That is so cute, Lynda, thanks for the idea! I think I’ll have to make some for my kitties as well 🙂 I just have to figure out where I can get the catnip. Our kitties have never had catnip toys before, they play with the same toy mice and bouncy balls they’ve had forever. Apparently some toys never get old 😉
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Ahh! Cats on catnip are so funny. 😀
I saw you’re from Indiana on the Craft Map! Go Hoosier crafters! 😉
Stacie, Glad you found me!! Thanks for dropping by. Lynda
Hi, thanks for this tutorial. I just made two of them and the cats love them. I skipped the ears though, cause I had no felt and made a tail instead.
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