Pyramid Catnip Cat Toy - for Home or Shelter Use

This pyramid shaped cat toy measures 2" tall.

This little project comes together fast and is great for using up small pieces of fabric leftover from other projects.

This project was inspired by a woman who donates catnip toys to our local shelter. She makes 100's of these toys for our kitties!

Once these toys are washed, the catnip loses it's strength. If made with a re-closeable top, the catnip may be refreshed for as long as the fabric maintains integrity.

If sewn closed, I'd consider them more of a disposable toy. My little girl kitty loves catnip and does whatever she can to open them up, so they don't last very long with her!

Material List:

• For a single toy - a piece of fabric 3" x 6".
  • If you have a larger piece of fabric in multiples of those dimensions, and would like to make several at a time, see below for specific measurements.
• Stuffing - either purchased or small scraps of leftover fabric
• thread
• Scissors or rotary cutter
• ruler
• needle or sewing machine
• catnip
• jingle bell - optional
• Velcro type closures - optional
• Snaps - optional

Step 1. For a single toy, cut the fabric 3" x 6".

Step 2. Fold fabric - right sides together - in half, making a 3" x 3" square.

Step 3. Using your needle and thread, or your sewing machine, sew the bottom and unfolded side of the square. Do not sew the top.

Step 4. Turn the square right side out.

Step 5. Stuff with a bit of stuffing (or little scraps of fabric), catnip and jingle bell, if desired. But don't overfill - it will make sewing the top seam more difficult.

Step 6. Fold 1/8" of the cut fabric down into the pyramid so the raw edges are inside the toy.

Step 7. When sewing the top, do not sew it the same way as the bottom seam, as that would make a square. Instead, sew the top seam 90 degrees from the bottom seam so it forms a pyramid shape.

If you would like to be able to open the toy to refresh the catnip, sew a Velcro style closure, or snaps, into the top seam.

Step 8. Give to cat.

If you have a larger piece of fabric, you can speed up the process a little.

Cut the fabric into multiples of 3" x 6".

The following instructions show how to make 4 at once. In this example, the fabric measurements are: 6" tall and 12" wide.

Step 1. Fold fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, resulting in a 3" high, 12" long rectangle.

Step 2. Along the width of the fabric, make a little dash every 3" along the top and bottom of the fabric.

Step 3. Using a sewing machine machine, sew a vertical seam from dash to dash.

Step 4. Go over to the next dash and sew another vertical seam from dash to dash.

Step 5. Go over about a 1/4" of an inch and make another vertical seam.

This stitch needs to be far enough away from the other stitch so you can cut the toys apart with scissors.

Step 6. Repeat so all toys have a stitch along both edges.

The top should remain open.

Step 7. Cut toys apart.

Step 8. Turn each toy right side out.

Step 9. Fill with a bit of stuffing (or little scraps of fabric), catnip and jingle bell, if desired. But don't overfill - it will make sewing the top seam more difficult.

Step 10. Fold 1/8" of the cut fabric down into the pyramid so the raw edges are inside the toy.

Step 11. When sewing the top, do not sew it the same way as the bottom seam, as that would make a square. Instead, sew the top seam 90 degrees from the bottom seam so it forms a pyramid shape.

If you would like to be able to open the toy to refresh the catnip, sew a Velcro style closure, or snaps, into the top seam.

Step 12. Give to cat.