Ok, so I give my cats gifts for Christmas. I can't help it, they're spoiled! So today I made some really simple catnip toys for them.
What you'll need:Scraps of fabric
Matching Thread
Dried Catnip
3x5 card (optional)
Uncooked Rice (optional)
My cats have an affinity to spherical and cylindrical objects. I can't tell you why... they just do.
So I tried to make them little balls filled with catnip and rice (I would've done all catnip but I guess I'm stingy! I didn't want to waste all their nip in a toy and then have them not like it. I'd be too lazy to get the nip back out.
)
So first, I cut out some pieces in this shape. I wasn't very exacting for my own cats, but if I was making them for gifts I would've been a little more careful
The blue pieces will be spheres, the zebra print will come later!
Start by sewing right sides together like this. Do this for all sides except the last.
On the last side, make sure the points are all sewn together properly and if not, sew them up with this last side (I hope that makes sense!). Sew from the pointed end in toward the middle on each side, leaving an open gap in the middle. It should look sort of like this.
Turn it right side out
Fold your 3x5 card in half OR fold it in a way that you can fit one end into the opening in the ball. I'm sorry I don't have a picture of this, but you're going to put your catnip (and rice if you want) onto the 3x5 card and then stick one end horizontally into the opening if possible, then move the card vertically to let the contents drop into the ball. You may need to do this multiple times
Now the nip is in the sphere!
Now just slip stitch the opening and you're set!
Here's the kitts reaction when I woke them up from their daily day-long nap in my bed. *yawn*
It did get some nuzzles though
I also did this three other ways. I did a sphere with the seams showing which was easier because I didn't need to slipstitch (I hate slipstitching when not 1000% necessary.)
Here's a comparison. If figured they might like the added texture of the seams? Who knows.
I also did a vaguely mouse-like shape. For the first two years that I had my cats I also had pet rats so overly rodent-like toys were/are not allowed. But I figured other people might want to make them and they're only vaguely that shape anyway. Basically I just used three pieces instead of four.
That's it!
