I'm cautious about toys for my cats, so I like to make my own catnip toys. That way, I can choose organic catnip and use up scraps of 100% cotton fabric. We made these little heart-shaped catnip mice out of charm pack squares, but they're a purrfect way to use scraps of fabric. I was pretty sure my cats would love them because I had oodles of feline assistance during their construction.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome Jem Gold 3)

Fabric and Other Supplies

• Fabric. You can use scraps of most any fabric. We used several 5-inch squares from two charm packs provided to us by Fat Quarter Shop: L'Amour by Sandy Gervais and Sent with Love by Deb Strain.
• Catnip. We used organic catnip (available at most pet stores).
• Cotton cord. Six inches (per mouse) of 1/8" cotton cord for the tail.
• Five inches (per mouse) of thin cotton or hemp cord, or embroidery floss for each set of whiskers.
• Small scrap of black felt (for eyes)
• A handful of polyfil per mouse
• Knitting needle or chopstick
• Pinking shears (optional)
• Scissors
• Hole-punch (optional)
• Sewing needle
• Large-eyed embroidery needle
• Thread
• Small funnel

Getting Started

1. Download and print the Catnip Mouse Heart Pattern. Cut out the heart shape.
2. Place two charm squares right sides together. Pin heart pattern onto your charm squares as show below.
   
3. Cut out pattern using pinking shears (as we did) or scissors.
   
4. Cut a 6-inch length of cord for the tail.
   
5. Insert the tail between the layers of fabric, curling the tail so it does not extend outside of the fabric except between the humps of the heart – let the end of the cord stick out there about a quarter inch so you can better hold it in place as you stitch over it later. 
   
6. Use your fabric pencil to mark the two on-seam dots (indicated on the pattern piece). This is the small gap you will leave open to turn the mouse right-side out.

At Your Sewing Machine

1. Set your sewing machine to sew a short stitch length (1.5mm is a good length). Sew slowly, stopping - with the needle in the down position - and pivoting in small increments to create a smooth curve all around the mouse leaving a small gap between the dots shown on the pattern. Be sure to backstitch at both ends of your stitching to keep your seam from pulling open.
   
2. Clip your curves (this will help your curved seams create a smooth line). Be careful not to cut through your seam.
3. Gently turn your mouse right-side out. Use your chopstick or knitting needle to gently shape the heart.
   
4. Fill your mouse about 1/3 full with polyfil, pushing it gently to the seam to poof the mouse.
5. Using your funnel, add about a tablespoon or so of catnip. The chopstick will help push the catnip through the funnel. Finish stuffing the mouse with remaining polyfil until pleasingly plump.
   
6. Slip stitch the opening closed.
   
7. Thread your large-eyed embroidery needle with your whisker cord and pull through the top of the mouse as shown.
   
8. Tie a knot at the end of each whisker.
   
9. To create the mouse eyes, use either a hole punch on your black felt, or cut two small circles with scissors.
10. With your sewing needle and a length of black thread, sew the eyes to your mouse.
    

Hints and Tips

Some cats can be really rough with catnip toys, so please supervise your pet's use of this or any toy. Check often for rips or tears and discard it if it becomes torn.

Other machines suitable for this project include the Pfaff hobby 1142 and the Bernina activa 210.