Free Cat Plush Sewing Pattern + Tutorial

Looking for an easy cat plush sewing pattern? This beginner-friendly stuffed cat is made from a handful of simple pattern pieces and can be sewn by machine, by hand, or with a combination of both.

I originally created this Cat Plush pattern in 2020 after seeing how much my son loved his free Pug Plush. The two patterns share the same simple, slightly flat plush style that makes them approachable projects for beginners.

For this updated version, I made the cat again using black denim and Poly-fil, proving that you don’t have to stick with the original fleece version. Fleece, felt, denim, cotton, and other fabrics can give this little cat a completely different personality.

The original Cat Plush pattern is still available free below, along with the complete tutorial.

It’s been on my to-do list to create a cat plush sewing pattern for quite a while. I had a different design in mind but after seeing how much my son loves his Pug dog, I decided to create a cat plush with the same style.

Cat Plush Materials and Supplies

You don’t need much fabric for this project, making it a great way to use fleece, felt, and other scraps you already have.

• Free Cat Plush sewing pattern
• Main fabric: fleece (or other scrap fabric you have on hand)
• Felt (or fabric scraps) for the inner ears, eyes, and nose
• Embroidery floss or heavy thread
• Poly-fil fiber fill
• Coordinating sewing thread
• Fabric marking pen
• Pins or sewing clips
• Hand-sewing needle
• Basic sewing and cutting tools

Here is a recent black denim version of the Cat Plush pattern featuring some raw edges on the tail and ears, leather bits for nose and ears, upcycled velvet upholstery scraps for eyes, and free-motion stitched mouth and whiskers. It’s the perfect Halloween kitty!

RELATED: Make plush toys using upcycled denim! Check out Plush Toys with a Tough Side here.

Free Pattern vs. Complete Cat Pattern

The free pattern gives you everything you need to sew the Classic Cat shown in this tutorial.

If you’d like printable step-by-step PDF instructions, video tutorials, SVG cutting files, and the additional Tabby, Tuxedo, and Calico pattern pieces, those are included with the complete Cat Plush pattern in the Scratch and Stitch shop.

How to Sew the Free Cat Plush

This stuffed cat is a fairly quick sewing project with simple construction and a 1/4″ seam allowance.

The original cat was made from black fleece with colorful felt details, but don’t feel limited by those fabrics. Try a patterned fleece, scraps of quilting cotton, an old pair of jeans, or another fabric you already have.

Prepare the Cat Pattern and Fabric

Download and print the Cat Plush sewing pattern at 100%.

Cut out the paper pattern pieces and tape the Body pattern piece together at the dotted line.

You can transfer the pattern shapes onto your fabric using a fabric marking pen or tailor’s chalk and cut on the traced lines. You can also pin the paper pattern directly to the fabric and cut around it.

Important: Do not cut out the opening inside the curved Tail piece yet. The inner Tail curve is cut after sewing.

Sew the Cat Ears

You will need two finished Ears that are mirror images of each other.

Position one Inner Ear on the right side of each Front Ear and stitch around the edge to secure it.

Place a Front Ear and Back Ear right sides together.

Sew around the angled sides using a 1/4″ seam allowance, leaving the straight bottom edge open.

Trim the seam allowance near the pointed tip to reduce bulk.

Turn the Ear right side out and gently push out the point.

Repeat for the second Ear and set both aside.

Sew the Cat Tail

Transfer the curved Tail stitching line to the wrong side of one Tail piece.

Place the two Tail pieces right sides together.

Sew around the Tail using a 1/4″ seam allowance, leaving the flat attachment edge open.

After sewing, carefully cut away the fabric inside the Tail curve as marked on the pattern.

Clip or notch the seam allowance around the curves as needed, taking care not to cut through your stitches.

Turn the Tail right side out.

Lightly stuff the Tail with Poly-fil, keeping the end relatively flat so it is easy to sew into the Body seam.

Set aside.

Add the Cat Face

Use the placement guide included with the pattern to position the facial features on the Front Body.

Position and sew the Eyes in place.

Add the Pupil pieces over the Eyes and stitch around the edges.

Next, position and sew the Nose.

Poke holes into the paper pattern piece and use a fabric marking pen to lightly draw guidelines for the mouth and whiskers.

Hand stitch the mouth and whiskers with embroidery floss or heavy thread with a stem stitch.

You can also add a small white stitched highlight to each eye.

Tip: This is a great place to personalize your cat. Change the eye color, nose color, embroidery, or fabric combination to give your plush a completely different expression.

RELATED: More of a dog person? Try the Free Pug Plush Sewing Pattern.

Attach the Cat Ears and Tail

Place the completed Front Body right side up.

Use the placement markings on the Body pattern piece to position the Ears and Tail. The finished portions should point toward the inside of the Body, with their raw edges hanging over the edge by 1/2″.

Pin or clip everything securely in place.

Baste stitch the Ears and Tail following the curve of the Body. This makes it easier to keep the pieces from shifting.

Make sure the Tail and Ears are tucked safely inside and away from the remaining seam line.

Sew the Cat Plush Body

Place the Back Body over the Front Body with right sides together.

Pin or clip around the outside edge.

Mark an opening along the bottom for turning and stuffing.

Sew around the Body using a 1/4″ seam allowance, backstitching at both ends of the opening.

Clip or notch curved areas where needed.

Turn the Cat Plush right side out and gently push out the seams.

Check that the Ears and Tail are securely caught in the seam before stuffing.

Stuff and Finish the Cat Plush

Begin adding small amounts of Poly-fil through the opening.

Work the filling into the edges and corners as you go rather than pushing in one large handful.

I prefer to lightly stuff this particular Cat Plush. The finished shape is intentionally softer and flatter than a firmly stuffed traditional stuffed animal.

Once you’re happy with the shape, turn the raw edges of the opening toward the inside and close it by hand with a ladder stitch.

You can optionally sew the Tail against the side of the Body with a few hand stitches.

I actually did this on the original cat, but my son wanted the Tail to move around. He was right, so I took the stitches back out.

Your Cat Plush is finished!

I hope you know someone who will love this cat plush as much as my son does. He has named him Meow Meow, and they have an adorable friendship.

More Plush Sewing Patterns

If you enjoyed making this Cat Plush, try the free Pug Plush Sewing Pattern next. It uses a similar beginner-friendly construction style.

You can also browse my 30+ Free Stuffed Animal Patterns and Tutorials for even more stuffed-animal sewing ideas from Scratch and Stitch and other makers.

For more Scratch and Stitch designs, browse the Plush Sewing Pattern collection, which currently includes patterns such as Frog, Toad, Love Bot, Love Bunny, Love Bear, Cone Gnome, and more.

Made your own Cat Plush? Tag @scratchandstitch or use #scratchandstitch so I can see what you make!

Did you make a plush cat using my pattern? I’d love to see it! Tag @scratchandstitch on IG and FB or email me.