Yes - My cat is a dork. I had bought him some little fleece balls one time & he LOVED them! I love them too because I can pick them up & wash them! I had some extra fleece laying around & I saw a blog post for a fleece octopus toy & was inspired to make Cas a monster to play with. My Octopus monster came out as a Quadropus monster, but you get the idea. It's just for the cat!
(BTW here's the link to the actual tutorial: http://whileshenaps.typepad.com/whileshenaps/2012/06/youll-need-16-x-16-piece-of-fleece-styrafoam-ball-3-in-diameter-34-wide-ribbon-felt-scraps-in-white-gray-and-b.html)
Here's what you need:
1. At least a 12" x 12" piece of fleece
2. Something to stuff it with
3. A rubber band
4. Some twine, cord or ribbon
5. Needle & thread
6. buttons for decoration
What to do:
Cut a square. Mine is 12.5" x 12.5" (the professional tutorial recommends 16" x 16"). Next cut strips into your square somewhat equal distance. I cut 6 fringes on each side (a little fat, but it worked), and I cut each one in 4" (so each fringe piece is about 2" x 4"). Do two sides opposite of each other first, then to the other two sides. Cut off the corner fringe pieces (2nd picture).
(BTW here's the link to the actual tutorial: http://whileshenaps.typepad.com/whileshenaps/2012/06/youll-need-16-x-16-piece-of-fleece-styrafoam-ball-3-in-diameter-34-wide-ribbon-felt-scraps-in-white-gray-and-b.html)
Here's what you need:
1. At least a 12" x 12" piece of fleece
2. Something to stuff it with
3. A rubber band
4. Some twine, cord or ribbon
5. Needle & thread
6. buttons for decoration
What to do:
Cut a square. Mine is 12.5" x 12.5" (the professional tutorial recommends 16" x 16"). Next cut strips into your square somewhat equal distance. I cut 6 fringes on each side (a little fat, but it worked), and I cut each one in 4" (so each fringe piece is about 2" x 4"). Do two sides opposite of each other first, then to the other two sides. Cut off the corner fringe pieces (2nd picture).
Find something to stuff the center of your ball with. I used some old packing bubbles (a 7" square). I wadded that up, put some scotch tape on it to hold it in place, & put it at the center of my fleece.
Then wrap your fleece around the stuffing center & secure it with a rubber band. Cover your rubber band with ribbon or twine. My cat will eat rubber bands, so I made sure it was super covered with jute cord. If he eats through it, I'll go back & sew it together.
Then take the "legs" and braid them. I shoved that thick braided end under my sewing machine & went back & forth over it a couple times! Use basting length stitches.
Then wrap your fleece around the stuffing center & secure it with a rubber band. Cover your rubber band with ribbon or twine. My cat will eat rubber bands, so I made sure it was super covered with jute cord. If he eats through it, I'll go back & sew it together.
Then take the "legs" and braid them. I shoved that thick braided end under my sewing machine & went back & forth over it a couple times! Use basting length stitches.
Next take one of those little corner scrap fringe pieces & fringe it on two sides. Roll it up, stitch with an "X", and hand sew it to the head. I added a button flower to mine.
Then just sew on your buttons (I stitched a nose) & your done!
Then just sew on your buttons (I stitched a nose) & your done!
Play kitty play!