This is my first Blog.  I want to share the stuffed cat pattern I created for charity purposes in support of a beginning sewing workshop my Ladies Auxiliary hosted for local Girl Scouts. I made several proto-types tested by my seven year old before settling on this pattern.  Hope not to confuse you by the different colors in the samples. I was inspired by the "Warren the charity bear pattern." http://www.shinyhappyworld.com/2014/04/warren-charity-bear-free-teddy-bear-pattern.html

Charity Cat (Designed by Denise Benoit-Turner)

Pattern to follow when I figure out how to post.

Materials:

Plush Fleece Fabric (12 x 25)

Scraps of complementary fleece for appliques

Embroidery Thread- 12 inches

Safety eyes (optional)

Thread

PolyFil

Cut Pattern:

Lay the pattern on the fabric so the stretch of the fabric goes across the cat's belly. You want him to stretch wide not tall.

Pin the pattern on the fabric. Cut one front piece and two back pieces. For the back piece fold the right sides of the fabric up and cut both at the same time. Some fabrics to include fleece have two sides.

Layout the pattern. Double the fabric for the back piece. 

Pin pattern to fabric and cut out.

Sew on Applique (eyes, etc) parts:

 Cut out Applique parts desired (ears, nose, tummy, heart) in contrasting colors and patterns.  Get creative and make your own spots and stripes. Attach either using a sewing machine or hand stitch.

The ears are too close to the edge in this sample

Applique Parts- Either attach use a sewing machine or hand stitch.  The nose and eyes are best done by hand. Do not place pieces too close the edge especially the ear pieces. One quarter inch or more will be taken away when sewn.


Cut small hole for Safety eyes and apply eyes if used. I did not use safety eyes because of the intention to give to kids in the hospital and against the possibility of entangling with medical equipment. Plus I like the flat eyes better.

Sew on Whiskers using embroidery thread. Thread a needle with six Strand Embroidery Thread. Knot one end.  Sew continuously on both sides.

Layer your cat back pieces right sides together (wrong side out) and pin the layers in place. Sew only on the back and tail seam (see pattern).

Sew up Your Cat

Layer and pin front and back together right side facing each other (as in the picture), matching ears and arms together. Sew around the edge using 1/4″ seam allowance, leaving an opening on the side of one leg.

If you’re using a fabric that has no stretch, you’ll need to clip into all the concave curves.  Polar fleece, minky and cuddle fleece don’t need this step – they have a natural stretch that will allow the curves to turn smoothly without clipping.

Finish Your Cat

Turn your cat right side out thru the gap and stuff it starting with the legs, tail, and ears first.  Once you block access to those bits it’s hard to get back in there.  You will use more stuffing than you think. When you think it’s full add some more and then some more.

Sew up the opening using ladder stitch which is totally invisible on fleece