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How to Make a Christmas Catnip Toy
Cat Playing With Catnip Toy
Don't forget your furry best friend when making handmade gifts for the holidays. With just basic sewing skills, you can whip up a catnip-filled, stocking-shaped toy as a surprise for your favorite kitty.
Pets seem to anticipate the holidays almost as much as we do. There's an excitement that fills the home as boxes are hauled in from the attic, basement or garage and the tree is set up. Include your cat in the holiday fun by unpacking this catnip stocking to play with each year then later packing it away with the rest of the holiday decorations to reserve it for the season.
Materials Needed:
- remnant of heavy, woven fabric
- paper
- pins
- scissors
- sewing machine
- heavy duty thread
- twine, trim and embellishments
- dry catnip
- spoon
Create Template and Cut Out Stocking
Create stocking template out of paper and pin to fabric. Cut out two pieces of fabric that are mirror images, so they will fit together to make one stocking. Tip: When creating the template, make sure it's small enough for a cat toy, but large enough to be able to sew and turn inside out.
Pinning Pattern to Fabric
Create stocking template out of paper and pin to fabric. Cut out two pieces of fabric that are mirror images, so they will fit together to make one stocking. Tip: When creating the template, make sure it's small enough for a cat toy, but large enough to be able to sew and turn inside out.
Sew Stocking
Place both stocking pieces together with right sides facing each other. Place a few pins to hold stocking halves together. Sew edges of stocking together, leaving top unsewn. Trim threads and turn stocking right-side-out.
Sewing Fabric With Sewing Machine
Place both stocking pieces together with right sides facing each other. Place a few pins to hold stocking halves together. Sew edges of stocking together, leaving top unsewn. Trim threads and turn stocking right-side-out.
Fill Stocking with Catnip
Use a spoon to fill stocking with dried catnip (Image 1). Once filled, fold ends of stocking top in and stitch closed by hand with an all-purpose sewing needle and coordinating thread (Image 2).
Sewing Toy Closed
Once stocking toy is filled with cat nip, fold ends of stocking top in and stitch closed by hand with an all-purpose sewing needle and coordinating thread.
Add Hanger and Decorative Cuff
Hand sew a loop of twine, ribbon or string to heel side of stocking top (Image 1). Cut length of trim that can completely wrap around stocking top and overlap by about 1/2" to create a decorative cuff. Hand stitch where cuff ends overlap and along stocking top (Image 2). Add any other desired embellishments, making sure all are securely attached to stocking and safe for cats to play with (Images 3 and 4).
Adding Cuff to DIY Stocking
Cut length of trim that can completely wrap around stocking top and overlap by about 1/2" to create a decorative cuff. Hand stitch where cuff ends overlap and along stocking top.
Christmas Catnip Stocking Toy
If your kitty goes gonzo for catnip (half of all cats do), treat them with a small, handmade toy to hold their stash. Scientists agree that smelling, rather than eating, catnip garners the biggest response but they still aren't sure what neurological reaction catnip triggers for sensitive cats. It's thought that it stimulates receptors in their brains that makes them feel initially energetic, playful and happy, then mellow and relaxed. Stitch up your own with our step-by-step instructions.
Cat Playing With Handmade Catnip Toy
Add any other desired embellishments to your handmade stocking, making sure all are securely attached to stocking and safe for cats to play with.
