Kitty Bed Tutorial ~ FREE SEWING PATTERN

Meet Grapefruit, the youngest daughter of "Gidget the Cat", which I made my daughter last year for Christmas from my very own (and very first) official sewing pattern, Kitten Surprise.  The pattern is basically a large mother cat that can hold up to 5 or 6 kittens in her zippered tummy pouch (depending on how strategic you are with your placement).  

Our entire Christmas last year was a "Homemade Christmas", which meant we each made gifts for every member of the family, and they all had to be hand made.  It was the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER...but I'm still recovering, lol, so it will perhaps be a tradition that we continue every 5 years or so...once our energy levels are back to normal.  As I was designing and making my daughter's Kitten Surprise gift, my oldest son decided he wanted to make her some little beds that each kitten could sleep in.  At the time, I didn't take the time to take pictures as he went...but when I was typing up and putting the finishing touches on my pattern before I released it last month, I ended up making another kitten, whom Polly lovingly named Grapefruit, and so, of course, Grapefruit needed a bed!  

Polly, who is almost 8, decided it was a task she was up to doing herself, so I stood back and coached, and was able to snap a few pictures while she made this little bed.  Hope you enjoy the tutorial, and please excuse any jagged edges or swerving sewing lines.  I am so impressed with her little soon-to-be 8 year old skills!  

This little bed will fit any animal or doll that is approximately 5" long x 3 1/2" wide.

To start, you will need to cut out the following:

• 5" x 7" mattress pieces out of quilting cotton or flannel (cut 2)
• 5" x 5" blanket pieces out of contrasting quilting cotton or flannel (cut 2)
• 4 1/4" x 6 1/4" interior mattress pieces out of heavy fusible interfacing (cut 2)
• 3" x 2" pillow pieces out of heavy fusible interfacing (cut 2)

Step 1: Once all your pattern pieces are cut out, you'll want to layer the mattress pieces as shown above, placing one mattress piece on the bottom, then place and centre an interior mattress piece on top of it, followed by a pillow piece (placed about 3/4" from the very top edge).  Repeat this step for the other side of the mattress. Press all pieces (glue side down) so that all three layers fuse together.

Step 2: Press the top edge of each mattress piece down about 1/4".  Set mattress pieces aside for a moment.

Step 3: With wrong sides together, sew along the top edge, and about 1 1/2" down ONE side edge of the blanket.  Turn the pieces right side out and press.

Step 4: If you are going to monogram a name onto the pillow, now is the time to do it.  Choose which side of the mattress you want to face out, and stitch the name in the centre of the pillow (I always like to practice on a scrap piece of fabric first, to see exactly where the name should be placed).  Next sandwich your blanket pieces between your mattress pieces (mattress pieces should be wrong sides together) as shown above, with the blanket folded down a bit along the sewn edge.  Make sure all un-sewn edges of the blanket are lined up with the un-sewn edges of the mattress pieces.

Step 5: Pin all the blanket and mattress layers together.  Sew along both side edges, as well as the bottom edge, but leave the top edge open (the one you pressed earlier) so you can flip it all right side out again.

Step 6: Flip the bed right side out, making sure each corner is pushed out nicely.  Finish off the bed by sewing around the pillow area with a decorative stitch (this will make the pillow stand out, as well as close up that opening at the top.

Your Bed is done!  

Now repeat and Enjoy the slumber parties that follow!


Click on the link below if you'd prefer to download and print the pattern:

Printable Pattern