If you're an animal lover or just want to create a fun project that's sure to brighten any room's decor, you’re going to love this cat themed pillow. This project uses appliques and embroidery, and would make a great gift for any feline fanatic. Download the cat pattern and printable instructions.

Materials:

• 6 Spools Madeira embroidery thread: Light Green, Dark Green, Ivory, Orange, Gold, Blue
• All-purpose thread to match fabrics
• Orange cotton fabric
• Blue cotton fabric
• Green cotton fabric
• Ivory cotton fabric
• Grey felt
• Baby Lock Cut-Away Stabilizer
• Fusible Fleece (optional)
• KK2000 machine embroidery temporary spray adhesive
• Eight ½” buttons (optional)
• Fiber fill
• Hand needle
• Rotary cutter, mat and ruler

Tools:

• Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery Machine

Steps:

1. Cut the background rectangle pieces. Cut one 8 1/2” x 12” rectangle from the orange, green and blue fabrics.

2. Cut a piece of Fusible Fleece or Cut-Away Stabilizer to back each colored rectangle piece.

3. Cut out three grey felt cat pieces using the template in the attached instructions.

4. For Embroidery Flowers Option:

   1. Cut three pieces of Cut-Away stabilizer to fit the 5” x 7” hoop.

   2. Hooped the Baby Lock stabilizer and lightly spray with KK200.

   3. Position one of the felt pieces onto the stabilizer in the 5” x 7” hoop.

   4. Select a built-in floral design.

   5. Cut three pieces of Cut-Away stabilizer to fit the 5” x 7” hoop.

   6. Hoop the Baby Lock stabilizer and lightly spray with KK200.

   7. Position one of the felt pieces onto the stabilizer in the 5” x 7” hoop.

   8. Select the built-in floral design.

   9. Select the layout key and the trial icon if your machine has it.

   10. The machine moves, giving a preview of the area where the design will sew.

   11. Change the position of the embroidery design as needed so it will embroider in the body area of the felt cat shape.

   12. Push start, and embroider the design using Madeira thread colors selected to match the project fabrics.

   13. Repeat to embroider the remaining cat shapes.

5. For Applique Flowers Option:

   1. Cut out the flower applique shape from the orange, green and blue fabrics.

   2. Arrange the flowers as desired in the body area of the felt cat shape.

   3. Use a zigzag stitch and follow around the edge of the cat shape, securing it to the background fabric.

   4. Stitch a button in the center of each flower.

   5. Repeat to applique the remaining cat shapes.

6. Pillow Assembly:

   1. Once the embroidery or applique is completed for all three cats.

   2. Attach the embroidered felt pieces to the pillow sections.

   3. Select a straight stitch, and then follow around the edge of the cat shape, securing it to the background fabric.

   4. After all three sections are appliquéd, sew each section together to assemble the pillow front.

   5. From the ivory fabric, cut the pillow back the same size as the pillow front.

   6. Place the front to the back right sides together.

   7. Stitch around the edges of the pillow, leaving a 6” opening for turning and stuffing.

   8. Turn and stuff the pillow. Use the hand needle and thread to whipstitch the opening closed.