Mouse Cat Toy Machine Embroidery Project

I'm always on the lookout for some quick and easy machine embroidery projects.  It's even better when the design is FREE! 

I received an email from Urban Threads with their new free pattern to make a mouse cat toy.  I had to try out the pattern right away and stitch some up. 

They turned out really cute!  I added some catnip to them so I’m sure my cat will like to play with these toys.

This mouse toy is made with a machine embroidery in-the-hoop design. The design is free from Urban Threads for the month of March 2023.  So, get the design right away through the link at the end of this page!  After March, the design is available for a low cost.

What is an In-the-Hoop Design?

In-the-hoop machine embroidery designs are almost entirely stitched by the embroidery machine.  Usually, there may be a small opening that needs to be hand sewn to complete the project.  There are many types of in-the-hoop designs from small toys to bags and table toppers.

About the Mouse Cat Toy Design

These toys stitch up in 8 minutes so they are fast to make.  You should be able to make one in less than 30 minutes. 

Urban Threads has a tutorial page that describes the process to make the mouse toy, but it’s a bit confusing because they are mostly describing how to make another stuffed animal project.

I have put together this page describing the steps to make the mouse cat toy along with some helpful tips.

Watch our video through the link below to see this project.

WHAT YOU NEED to make this mouse cat toy

Find links to these products at the end of this tutorial.

• Free Mouse Toy Design from Urban Threads (scroll to end of this page for a link) - Free only in Mar 2023.
• Felt - Two pieces 5 1/2" x 6 1/2"
• Embroidery Machine
• Tear away stabilizer
• Thread
• Fiber fill stuffing
• Catnip (optional)
• Scissors
• Pointed tool 
• Sewing Needle

Steps & tips for making this in-the-hoop mouse cat toy 

STEP 1: Prepare Fabric

To make this cat toy, cut two pieces of felt 5-1/2" x 6-1/2".  Other fabrics besides felt can be used for this cat toy.  Use something that will hold up to a cat playing with it.

STEP 2: Download Design, Load pattern and prepare hoop

The link to the Urban Threads website and mouse cat toy design is available at the end of this tutorial.  Click the link to find the design and add the design to your cart and checkout.  

During the month of March 2023, the design is available for free from the Urban Threads website.  You do have to go through the checkout process but it will not ask you for payment.

Download the pattern and then load the design into your embroidery machine.

This pattern uses a 5"x7" embroidery hoop.  Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer in your 5"x7" hoop.

Step 3: Stitch the Placement and tack down Stitch steps

The first step in the design is a placement stitch for the fabric.

TIP: Use a thread that coordinates with the fabric color for the first few steps. This thread may show a bit in the end product so a matching thread can blend better.

Place one piece of felt right side up so that it completely covers the placement stitch. Stitch the next step to tack down the felt.

Step 4: Stitch the mouse features

The next several steps will stitch the mouse feet, eyes & whiskers, nose, tail, ears and foot pads.  Select thread colors and stitch out these steps.

Step 5: Place The Back Fabric

The last step will stitch down the backing fabric.  Lay the second piece of felt so that it completely covers the design.

Stitch the last step in the design to attach the back fabric to the front.

The design is complete!  Remove the hoop from the embroidery machine.  Note there is a space left unstitched along the bottom of the mouse.  This will be used to turn it right side out.

Step 6: Remove the mouse Cat toy from the hoop and trim

Remove the project from the hoop.  The photo below shows the back of the design and the stabilizer.

Gently tear away the stabilizer.

Flip the project so the back is facing up.  Trim off the extra fabric around the mouse leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.  See photo for sample. 

At the bottom of the mouse is a hole for turning the project right side out. Leave at least a 1/2" seam allowance in this area.  This will make it easier to flip to the inside and hand stitch the opening closed.

Using sharp scissors, clip the corners around the mouse toy.  Do not clip through the seam!  Be sure to clip the inside corners and around the ears.  

Step 7: Turn the mouse toy right side out

Carefully turn the mouse toy right side out. Use the tip of your finger to turn the ears first and then guide the ears through the opening in the bottom of the mouse toy. The rest should turn easily.

TIP: Use a pencil or other point to get the ears turned completely.

The mouse toy is shown turned right side out below.

Step 8: Stuff the mouse toy

Take small amounts of stuffing and push it up into the ears of the mouse toy.  Then add more stuffing to the head area.  Continue stuffing the toy to the bottom.

TIP: Add a pinch of catnip into the toy after stuffing the head.  Finish stuffing.

Step 9: Sew the opening closed

Thread a sewing needle with a piece of thread.  Double the thread and the end. 

Fold the edges of the opening to the inside along the seam line. Hold it closed and use the ladder stitch to hand sew the opening closed.

The opening is shown sewn closed below.

The DIY mouse cat toy is finished! I hope your cat enjoys it's new toy.

We hope you enjoyed learning about this mouse cat toy machine embroidery project. Scroll down for the link to the pattern and supplies.

Other pet sewing projects you may be interested in are:

• Free Pet Projects to Sew
• Catnip Pillow Kicker Sewing Pattern
• DIY Pet Bed - Sew a bed with bolster sides for your cat or dog.