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This DIY cat pillow wasn’t a planned project until I came across these plush Halloween cat bath mats on the clearance rack. There were two in my cart before I knew it, and these kitty rugs were destined to be a cozy Halloween cat pillow.
This oversized cat pillow makes a great throw pillow on the couch or to use as a floor cushion. Plus it’s machine washable! It also made the perfect DIY Halloween decoration project.
DIY Cat Pillow
You can make a cat pillow too! There are so many animal-shaped rugs and bath mats on sale online or in stores. Find yourself a cat-shaped bath mat and create your very own cat pillow.
Materials
- 2 bath mats (I found these Halloween Cat Bath Rugs on sale at Kohl’s)
- cotton fabric (you’ll need enough to cut two pieces the same size and shape of the bath mats)
- Poly-fil polyester filling
- basic sewing supplies (I highly recommend using Wonder Clips for this project)
Glowing Jack O’ Lantern Totem
Create a glowing Halloween totem using classic plastic pumpkin buckets.
Here’s how I made my Halloween cat pillow.
The first step is to create a pillow insert that is same shape as the rug. Creating an insert will keep the stuffing from poking out of the pillow.
Layer two pieces of cotton fabric and place a rug on to. Trace a line around the perimeter of the rug shape 1/2″ larger than the rug. Cut out the shapes and pin around the edge. Sew around the perimeter with a 1/2″ seam allowance, making sure to leave a large enough opening for stuffing.
Flip the cat pillow insert right-sides out and fill with poly-fil stuffing.
Hand sew the opening closed with a ladder stitch (slip-stitch). Set aside.
Align the two rugs on top of each other with the wrong sides together. Clip or pin around the edge of the rugs leaving a large enough space to add the pillow insert later.
Sew around the edge of the rugs either by hand or on your sewing machine. Don’t forget to leave an opening! I sewed my rugs together with about a 1/4″ seam allowance on my sewing machine. This was right down the center of the rug binding and left a nice clean edge around the pillow. Make sure to go slow.
Carefully stuff the cat pillow insert between the rugs. Clip or pin the opening and sew closed.
DIY Halloween Village
Turn wooden birdhouses into a tabletop haunted village.
I’m loving my new cat pillow! Since the bath mats are soft and plush, this cat pillow is purr-fect for cuddling up to watch a creepy Halloween movie. :)
Did you make a cat pillow from rugs like mine? Post it on Instagram and tag @scratchandstitch. Can’t wait to see yours!!
Clever idea! Well done!
Thanks :)
You said you created an insert to keep the filling inside, but in my experience that’s only an issue with down feathers? Am I missing something? I just found your blog btw. I too am creating for my baby, but it is just an excuse. I’ve always made.
Hi Sandy – Glad to see you’re looking around and getting inspired by different projects :)
I created the insert to keep the filling from coming out through the rug. With wear-and-tear and washing, those individual fibers from the filling could start to pop out through the weaving of the rugs. You’re right about the feather filling, those will definitely start to poke through. You may be able to skip that part though it’s so easy to create an insert, I wouldn’t skip it.
And I totally agree! A new baby means new projects :)
Oh. I always make pillow covers. I personally like to have an insert because I feel it holds the shape better. I just had never thought fibers would start to pull through though. Maybe I never have kept a pillow that long? There’s always something new to make ;). And of course. Very cute cat. I also saw how you can easily make your own using different fabrics as well, but I am sure those rugs were at a huge discount and this was totally an awesome way to go.