Pattern Description:
The Mer-kitty Plush is a free sewing pattern featuring a cute cat with a huge, colorful tail and complementing waist fins.
It’s a Mermay-inspired design, similar to the Witch Kitty plush, and is rated 4/10 stars for difficulty. While generally easier to assemble, the waist seam can be a bit crowded.
Materials Needed & Measurements:
- Embroidery Hoops:
- For the face design, a 5” x 7” hoop is needed.
- For the chest fur, a 4” x 4” hoop is needed.
- To stitch all the scales on the tail’s top-stitched design, at least a 7” x 10” hoop is required. If a large hoop is not available, the pattern includes top stitching guides for the tail.
- Fabric:
- Minky fabric is recommended.
- Pre-printed fabric kits are available on Spoonflower in four different designs, which feature super detailed fins with bright, gradated colors and remove the need for embroidery, applique, or fabric hunting.
- Fabric Measurements:
- To make one Mer-kitty plush, a fat quarter of fabric is needed.
- To make four Mer-kitty plushies, 1 yard of fabric is needed.
Instructions for Making the Mer-Kitty Plush Pattern:
Downloading the Pattern
The pattern is freely available online as a PDF file. Crafters can download it directly from this website and print it at home. Once printed, the pieces can be cut out and prepared for fabric cutting.
Gathering Materials
Before beginning, it’s important to prepare the right fabrics and embroidery tools:
- Fabric: Minky fabric is the top choice due to its soft and plush texture. It gives the finished toy a professional, cuddly look.
- Fabric Kits: For added convenience, pre-printed fabric kits are available through Spoonflower in four unique designs. These include beautifully shaded fins with bright gradients, eliminating the need for extra embroidery or fabric hunting.
- Fabric Amounts: One fat quarter of fabric is sufficient for a single plush, while a yard of fabric will allow you to create up to four.
- Embroidery Hoops:
- 5” x 7” hoop for the detailed cat face.
- 4” x 4” hoop for the chest fur.
- 7” x 10” hoop for the tail’s scale embroidery, though simplified stitching guides are included for smaller hoops.
Preparing the Fabric
Cut the printed or plain Minky fabric according to the pattern pieces. If you are using the Spoonflower kit, most of the decorative details will already be printed, saving time.
For plain fabric, embroidery files included with the pattern can be used to add the cat’s face, chest fur, and tail scales.
If embroidery hoops are not available, the simplified stitching guides are an excellent alternative for keeping the tail attractive.
Stitching the Details
- Face Embroidery: Using the 5” x 7” hoop, carefully stitch the cat’s eyes, nose, mouth, and whisker details. These are important for giving the plush its expressive personality.
- Chest Fur: Switch to a smaller 4” x 4” hoop to embroider the fur detail onto the body piece.
- Tail Scales: If using embroidery, secure the 7” x 10” hoop to add the intricate layered scales. Alternatively, follow the stitching guide to topstitch the design by hand or with a sewing machine.
Assembling the Plush
- Attach the Tail: Begin by joining the tail pieces together, ensuring the fins are stitched securely at the sides. Stuff lightly with polyfill to give it shape.
- Join the Body and Tail: Align the waist seam and sew carefully, as this area tends to be crowded. Taking your time here helps avoid puckering or uneven stitches.
- Add the Front and Back Pieces: With right sides facing each other, stitch the body pieces together, leaving an opening for turning and stuffing.
- Stuff the Plush: Turn the plush right side out and fill it evenly with polyfill, shaping the body, head, and tail as you go.
- Close the Opening: Hand-stitch the gap with an invisible ladder stitch for a clean finish.
Finishing Touches
Once the plush is fully stuffed and stitched closed, give it a final shape by gently pressing seams and adjusting the stuffing.
The large, colorful tail will naturally fan out, while the small fins create a balanced and playful look.
The embroidered details bring the character to life, making the Mer-Kitty Plush a wonderful display piece or gift.
Download Free PDF:
