How to Make Fleece Cat Toys

By making your own fleece cat toys you can save money as well as have a variety of inexpensive toys for your cat. Who knows, it may even keep her from getting bored and tearing apart your favorite knitted hat.

Fleece is the easiest fabric to work with because it does not ravel. You can cut out shapes and sew them together without finishing the edges at all. Because the fabric is soft and has a furry feel to it your cat will enjoy the tactile sensation of the fabric in her paws.

Keep your shapes simple, especially if you don't have much experience. Cookie cutters work well; just trace the shape on the fabric with a fabric pen.

Some shapes to consider are:

• Bell (add a small jingle bell from the craft store to the bottom.)
• Circle
• Fish
• Heart
• Mouse
• Square
• Triangle
• Gingerbread man

• Fleece is very wide so you won't need much of it. 1/8 yard will be enough for several cat toys. Some fleece is softer than others so make sure you like the feel of it before you buy your fabric.
• Since fleece doesn't unravel you will only need to top-stitch the pieces together. You don't even need to worry about right and wrong sides of the fabric; they are both the same
• Fleece is an easy fabric to work with because it does not unravel. You can sew the cat toys on the outside, called top-stitching, and don't need to take the time to create an inside seam. It is durable and soft making the perfect fabric for cat toys.

• Always prewash the fabric before using.
• Use a size 11 universal needle on your sewing machine or use a sharp hand sewing needle. Since you are making something that is relatively small you don't really need a sewing machine.
• If you do use a sewing machine set it for a 2.5mm zigzag stitch.
• Hold the pieces together with long pins while you are sewing. Short pins made for thin fabrics will get lost in the plush fabric.
• Choose 100% polyester thread in the same color as the fabric. Or, if you want to thread to be decorative you can use colorful embroidery thread.
• Don't use items that the cat could choke on.
• Always use the highest quality materials that you can afford. Use organic products if possible.

In order to make the toy you will need to have the following materials and tools on hand.

• Fleece
• Fabric marker
• Pattern
• Scissors
• Long pins
• Polyester thread
• Sewing Machine or hand needles
• Fiberfill
• Catnip
• Embellishments

Instructions for Making a Homemade Fleece Cat Toy

It is really very simple to make a toy that will keep your pet busy for hours.

1. Lay the washed and dried fleece on a flat surface.
2. Trace around the shape with the fabric pen.
3. Trace around the shape again so that you have a top and bottom piece that are exactly alike.
4. Cut out the top and bottom of your cat toy carefully.
5. Sew all the way around the shape, leaving an inch opening for stuffing.
6. Stuff the toy with catnip, fiberfill stuffing, or a combination of the two.
7. Finish sewing the top and bottom together.

That's it. You have created a toy that your cat is sure to love.

Once you have gotten the hang of making cat toys you can add embellishments to them.

• Ribbons create movement that cats enjoy. Just sew a few ribbons in different lengths to the toy.
• Adding cellophane to the toy along with the stuffing will make the toy crackle when your cat plays with it.
• Add a bell to the inside or outside of the toy.
• Catnip isn't expensive, can be bought at most pet shops and will keep your cat interested in the toy for a long time.

Create a Small Business

If you enjoy crafting you may want to perfect your toy making skills and offer your creations for sale on eBay, Etsy and other venues. Ask local pet shops if they would consider selling your toys on consignment, you never know what will work for you.

Making cat toys is a great hobby that will give both you and your cat hours of entertainment.