How to sew a cat tail

Put some real sparkle into playtime by making cute cat costumes for kids. Get the sewing pattern for the tail and download the mask template free!

Make a cat mask and flying superhero mask and cape in Mollie Makes 60 (on sale until 11 December). Whip up the cat tail following the method below, then complete the look following the cat mask instructions in the magazine. It’s incredibly easy to whip up too, making a great last minute stocking filler. Try adding tiger stripes or use different coloured fabric to customise your tail. If you decide to use felt for this project do bear in mind that felt doesn’t wash as well as fabric.

The templates should fit two-to-ten-year-olds, but you may need to scale up or down to fit. If in doubt, take a quick copy and mock up the mask in paper first, cutting out the eyes for size.

You will need:
• Sewing pins
• 2 pieces of soft black fabric, 44 x 30cm (We used brushed cotton moleskin but felt also works well.)
• Tail template
• Tailor’s chalk or pencil
• Sewing machine
• Matching sewing threads
• Scissors
• 60cm length of 2.5cm wide elastic
• 2 x Velcro squares 2cm
• Soft toy stuffing
• Fabric scraps or ribbon for the bow
• Needle
• Jingle bell

Step 1
Pin the two pieces of black fabric together right sides facing. Print and cut the paper template and pin the tail shape to the fabric. Trace around the tail shape using Tailor’s chalk then add a 1cm seam allowance. To do this, simply draw a second outline 1cm from the first one.

Step 2
Sew along the first outline, taking care to lock stitch or reverse stitch at the start and end to secure your sewing.
Cut out the tail shape along the second outline making sure you don’t cut the stitching. Clip the curves of the tail in places up to 2mm from the stitching to allow the tail to turn evenly. Turn.

Step 3
Cut the elastic in half (or measure to fit your little hero). Fold the raw end of elastic 0.5cm, place the Velcro square on top and sew in place. Do the same with the other piece of elastic and Velcro square.

Step 4
Fill the tail with soft toy stuffing all the way to the end. This part is fiddly but will achieve a great result. Folding the raw edge of the tail in 1cm, pin the raw elastic ends inside and sew shut.

Step 5
To make the bow: cut a square of gold fabric 6 x 6cm. Fold in half and sew along the raw edges leaving a gap to turn. Turn. Sew two lines in the middle of the bow using a large setting on your machine (we used size 4), and pull the thread tails to gather. Using a needle and thread, stitch the bow on to the tail near the elastic and add a jingle bell.

Complete the look and make the cat mask. Download your free cat mask template. For the full instructions turn to page 45 of Mollie Makes 60, out now.

Project by Kirsty Hartley

Kirsty’s children’s brand, Wild Things, creates out-of-the-ordinary, everyday clothes that put imagination back into childhood. Her first sewing book, Wild Things Funky Little Clothes to Sew, is available now.

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