A Cat Heat Pad made from Organic Design Fabric

1. Print the template, available as a separate pdf file for this idea. Cut out and assemble the template with tape. Draw the template onto the fabric. Include a 1cm seam allowance all the way around each part. Cut two body parts. NB. Do not include any seam allowance for the head and applique on the cat's head.

2. Iron vliesofix onto the inner side of the chosen design fabrics intended for the applique on the cat's head.

3. Iron the parts onto the outer side of the fabric intended for the cat's head. Vliesofix has already been ironed onto the inner side of these parts. Complete the applique with zig-zag stitches all the way around the edge.

4. Sew the cat's ears together, outer side against outer side, apart from the horizontal side at the bottom. Turn inside out and press with an iron.

5. Attach each ear underneath the cat's head and iron it onto the body.

6. Sew the head onto the body with zig-zag stitches all the way around the edge. NB: Ensure there is an optimum distance to the seam allowance (i.e. not too close to the edge).

7. Arrange the parts for the cat's body outer side against outer side and sew together with small lockstitches. Leave a 5cm opening on the cat's back for turning the cat inside out and filling it. NB: be aware of the cat's ear near the edge. Pin it to avoid sewing it onto the body.

8. Cut small notches in the fabric towards the sewing all the way around. Turn the cover inside out and iron the seams with an iron.

9. Fill the heat pad with either dried beans or wheat kernels which can be purchased in most grocery stores. These make the heat pad withstand heat. Close the hole with back stitches.

10. You may sew compartments in the head pad which prevent the filling from shifting inside and thus optimising the distribution of the filling.

How to use the heat pad Place the heat pad in a warm ordinary household oven for approx. 10-15 min at 100°C.

Template -