Follow this cat stuffed animal sewing pattern tutorial to make a standing fabric kitten with pointed ears and a curved, raised tail. The photos show how the underside and body panels come together, how to sew the ears and tail, and how the flat shell becomes a stuffed cat.
You will need a sewing template for a stuffed animal cat alongside these instructions. This article explains the making process; it does not include printable pattern pieces. Visit our stuffed cat sewing pattern PDF product page for the downloadable pattern and its included options.
Before you start
Read through the steps before cutting. Keep the pattern's matching marks visible, and identify the underside opening that will be used for turning and stuffing. The photographed construction uses two outer cat panels and two inner-leg/underside panels.
Seam allowance: the source pattern specifies adding 0.7 cm. Check the instructions on the pattern version you are using before cutting, and do not add a second allowance if your pieces already include one. The photos below are assembly references, not templates to print or trace.
Materials and tools
- Your printed cat pattern and its instructions
- Fabric suitable for the pattern; the photographed sample uses a smooth golden fabric
- Matching sewing thread and a needle, plus a sewing machine if you prefer
- Fabric scissors, pins or clips, and a fabric marking tool
- Fiberfill stuffing
- A blunt turning tool to help ease out the narrow tail and ear points
Choose fabric quantities for your selected pattern size. The following tools and finishing tips support the photographed process; the source photos do not provide a complete fabric shopping list or a timed sewing estimate.
1. Cut the outer body and inner-leg pieces
Fold the fabric into two layers and use the outer cat template to prepare a mirrored pair of body panels. Then use the inner-leg section to cut the second pair. Follow the pattern's grain direction, matching marks and seam allowance instructions.
Transfer the marked turning and stuffing opening before removing the paper pieces. Keep the two outer panels and two underside panels together as a set. Check the mirrored pairs before sewing so that the finished fabric surfaces will face outward.
2. Join the underside, leaving the opening
Align the two inner-leg/underside pieces with right sides together. Sew the joining seam shown in the photo, keeping the marked turning opening unstitched. This gap must remain accessible when you assemble the rest of the cat.
Sewing tip: secure your stitching at both ends of the opening so the seam is less likely to loosen when you turn the fabric.
3. Sew the leg sections to the body panels
Match the underside assembly to the outer body panels with right sides together. Pin or clip the matching edges, then sew along the leg contours as shown. Work around the front and back leg shapes, checking that you have not caught another loose layer in the seam.
The inside view below shows how the underside sits between the outer panels. Keep the opening from the previous step clear rather than sewing across it as you join the remaining sections.
4. Sew the ear sections
Bring the matching ear sections together using the alignment marks on your pattern. Sew the ear seams while the shell is still inside out. Check that the two ear points and their bases are matched before continuing around the head.
Sewing tip: work slowly around the narrow points. If excess allowance prevents a point from turning neatly, trim cautiously without cutting the stitching.
5. Close the tail, back and head seams
Align the remaining outer edges and sew the tail, back and head sections together, following the pattern's seam order and matching marks. The photograph shows the curved tail enclosed as part of the body shell.
Inspect the joins around the head, neck and legs. Close any accidentally missed seam sections now, while leaving the intended underside opening available for turning.
6. Turn the cat right side out
Gently draw the shell through the opening. Ease the legs, ears and curved tail into their shapes a little at a time. Avoid pulling hard on a narrow section or pushing a sharp tool against a seam.
Compare your unstuffed shell with the photo. The legs and tail should be on the outside, with the seam allowances enclosed.
7. Add fiberfill and shape the kitten
Fill the cat through the opening using fiberfill, as shown in the finished sample. Add small amounts gradually, working them into the tail, legs and head before filling out the body.
Shaping tip: use a blunt tool gently to guide stuffing into narrow areas. Check the cat from the front, side and back as you work. Redistribute lumps rather than forcing in more filling, and avoid stretching the seams.
8. Close the opening and check the shape
Once you are happy with the filling, fold the opening's seam allowances inward and close it by hand. A ladder stitch is a useful finishing option: alternate small stitches between the two folded edges, gently draw them together, then secure and hide the thread end. This closing technique is an added finishing tip; the source photo sequence shows the stuffed result rather than a close-up of the final stitch.
Smooth the body and compare both sides. Arrange the feet evenly and adjust the filling as needed to support the standing pose. The final photos show the pointed ears, rounded body and raised tail from different angles.
Common questions
Does this tutorial include a free cat sewing template?
No. The tutorial is free to read, but printable pattern pieces are not reproduced here. Get the cat sewing pattern PDF separately and follow its cutting marks and size instructions.
Why does my stuffed cat look lumpy?
Filling may be concentrated in a few areas. Gently redistribute it and add small amounts where the shape is hollow. Also check the seams: extra stuffing cannot correct a mismatched panel or an uneven seam.
Why is the tail difficult to turn?
The tail is narrow and curved. Work it through gradually using a blunt tool, without forcing the tip. Check for caught fabric or bulky seam allowance if it resists.
How large will the finished cat be?
The finished size depends on the pattern version and print scale you choose. Check the product listing and downloaded instructions rather than estimating measurements from these photographs.
Make your own fabric cat
Choose your fabric and prepare your pattern pieces, then follow the construction photos above. Get the stuffed cat sewing pattern PDF, or browse more plush sewing patterns for your next project.