Lavender Cats
I started making these lavender-filled cats as a relaxing activity to take my mind off the news during the coronavirus lockdown. It was a nice change from all the baking I’d been doing. After making a half dozen, I gave some away, put one in my sock drawer, and then posted a photo on Facebook. People started asking to buy them. Since I have already have a full time job as a teacher and not looking to get into the cat sewing business, I’m posting the instructions so anyone can make their own. It’s super easy and fun!
In the beginning they were all the same size. A collection of five or so looks nice in a small basket. After a while, I realized that you can easily alter the size. In the photo, I have a large cat, then three slightly smaller, a fat cat, and a bunch of kittens. You don’t have to fill them with lavender, any herb will work (I’m thinking eucalyptus leaves, cloves, etc.) or filled them with batting that has a few drops of the essential oil of your choice–or none at. You can find lavender through Amazon.
Instructions
Step #1 – choose size
Decide what size you want. I suggest using a business card as a model, but you can start with any size rectangle.
Step #2 – draw and cut out the outline.
Trace the pattern onto felt. You can use any good quality cotton fabric, but you might have ragged edges unless you sew it inside out. They still look cute, but I think felt is the easiest.
Step #3 – The face
Your cat’s face is roughly 1/3 of the size of the body. You can use any color, but I stick with black or white, and use a contrasting thread. I’ve made a black cat, with a white face, and used red thread, and it looked great. There are no rules to this, be creative.
Step #4 – Sew the face and ears to ONE side of the body.
Use 2-strands of thread, and French knots for the eyes. I wrap the thread around the needle about 6-7 times for larger eyes.
Decorate the body
Ribbon or beads make a nice decoration, or sew on hearts or other shapes, and you might embroider decorative stitches. If you use beads (I found a bunch at Dollar Tree!) you need a special beading needle, but its super fun.
Start sewing together.
Use a running stitch – – – – – – to sew the pieces together. I start with the ears and leave the side open. You can get creative with the color of thread.
Fill with lavender and sew closed.
Remember to push up lavender into the ears (I use a pencil) and stuff it fairly full. Crushing the lavender buds brings out the fragrance, but that can be done after it’s sewn together.
And you are done!
