In between Much More Important Things, I’ve been making kitty toys here and there for our cat family members.
Last weekend, I made something new, tubes of fabric filled with Poly-fil & catnip. They were easy to make and the cats love them.
While watching this little guy, 8 month old Iliad, and his brother Ramses, play with their catnip tubes, it occurred to me that they could be much, much more fun to watch!
Enter, CATNIP LIGHTSABERS!
Have I seen The Force Awakens recently?
Yes, twice. Why do you ask? 😉
These aren’t much more complicated to make than the original single piece of fabric version. I made both shown here in about an hour, and that includes stopping to take pictures. Easy peasy!
As usual, this tutorial is for your personal & non-profit use. I would LOVE for you to make these both for your own kitties and your local shelter!
You’ll need:
- 2 – 5″ x 8 1/2″ pieces of fabric in blue, red, or the lightsaber color of your choice
- 2 – 5″ x 1 1/2″ pieces of grey or silver fabric
- 1 – 5″ x 6 1/2″ piece of black or black printed fabric
- Poly-fil or batting scraps
- catnip (I used a leftover packet from a cardboard scratcher)
- funnel
- sewing machine
- iron (not absolutely necessary, but helpful)
EDITED TO ADD: To make a solid cat kicking tube, use a 5″ x 23″ish piece of fabric and skip to the third instruction.
Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, sew together pieces as shown:
Blue>Grey>Black>Grey>Blue
Backstitching is recommended for stability.
Press all seam allowance in one direction.
Fold in half, with the black fabric in the center.
Lock the seams in with the opposite-facing seam allowance. Press.
Fold in half lengthwise. You now have a right sides both inside and out, giving you a “lining” for your lightsaber.
Using a 1/2″ seam allowance, stitch around. Start on the “saber” end with raw edge to the end and nearest you.
Be sure to backstitch where the thread crosses in the corner.
Leave the folded end (black fabric) unstitched. This is where the stuffing will go.
Here’s what you should have now.
Trim seam allowance to a scant 1/4″ or so, cutting corners close. Here’s where that backstitching comes in!
Using the method of your choice, turn the tube so the seam allowance is inside.
I use a large crochet hook to help with the process.
Here it is, ready to stuff!
Alternate catnip and Poly-Fil, stuffing as needed. A funnel will make this much easier. A cat will not!
(This tutorial is Marie approved.)
The crochet hook I used earlier worked a treat for squishing everything in.
I used two or three tablespoons of catnip total, making sure there was plenty at each end.
To save yourself a little grief, make sure you end with stuffing or you’ll have catnip all over your sewing machine.
Don’t ask me how I know. 😉
Keeping the seam to one side, flatten the end. Because this is a fold, you don’t have to worry about raw edges.
This can be hand stitched, but I chose machine stitching for durability.
Are you the happy owner of Wonder Clips? They are not necessary, but very helpful to hold the end closed.
Stitch across and back a few times.
A very secure closure and we’re done!
Iliad is a Jedi, like his father before him.
Ramses is too cute to be a Sith Lord.
Hours of entertainment for kitties and humans alike!
Want a chance to win a fun, free prize each month during 2016? It’s easy! Make today’s tutorial and share it with my flickr group. You’ll be entered to win for each photo you share! Winners to be announced on the first Friday of each month.
Want to sponsor a 2016 prize? Please drop me an email.
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That’s that, my friends! I hope you enjoyed today’s free tutorial!
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