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DIY cat bed: how to make a cat bed step by step

Sew your feline friend a quilted hideaway that's as cute as they are with Rebecca Reid's DIY cat bed tutorial

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Rebecca Reid

Published: November 11, 2021 at 7:00 am

Give your cat somewhere cosy to rest by making this adorable DIY cat bed! It'll help them to feel warm and comfortable while they nap, especially in the colder months of the year.

Cats often feel safer if they have a den to hide away in and this wonderful cat bed pattern certainly fits the bill! We love the fact that it has a pair of cat ears on the top, which is a cute finishing touch. This would make a brilliant gift for a cat-loving friend or relative.

We've used some fun cat-themed fabric to make this DIY cat bed, but you could swap the material to match the colour scheme of your home. You could add a blanket or a cushion inside to make your cat bed extra comfy for your feline pal.

This project was first published in Simply Sewing Magazine. Simply Sewing is the UK's bestselling magazine for people who sew. It's packed with expert tips and beautiful patterns to make. Rebecca Reid is crafter and designer who regularly contributes to Simply Sewing – and you'll find lots of her designs on Gathered!

Looking for more cat-themed craft projects? Learn how to draw a cat, sew a cat embroidery pocket or learn how to make an easy origami cat.

If you're new to sewing, you might find it useful to take a look at our beginner's guides before you get started. Check out our best sewing machines for beginners, sewing kits for beginners, sewing for beginners and how to use a sewing machine guides.

Read on to learn how to make a cat bed step by step using our free cat bed pattern…

How to make a DIY cat bed

Materials used

Notes

You will need:

  • Outer fabric (100x112cm (39x44in))
  • Lining fabric (100x112cm (39x44in))
  • Foam interfacing (72cm (28in) width x 140cm (55in))
  • Matching thread
  • Basic sewing kit

Cutting out

Step 1

Download the templates for the bed front/back and ear and cut them out.

Step 2

From the outer fabric cut:

  • Front: cut one using the template.
  • Back: cut one using the template.
  • Sides: 32x100cm (125⁄8x39in).
  • Base: 32x37cm (125⁄8x145⁄8in).
  • Ears: cut four using the template.

Step 3

From the lining fabric cut:

  • Front: cut one using the template.
  • Back: cut one using the template.
  • Sides: 32x100cm (125⁄8x39in).
  • Base: 32x37cm (125⁄8x145⁄8in).
  • Binding: cut four strips 4x112cm (15⁄8x44in).

Step 4

From the foam interfacing cut:

  • Front: 39x39cm (153⁄8inx153⁄8in).
  • Back: 39x39cm (153⁄8inx153⁄8in).
  • Sides: 34x100cm (131/2x39in).
  • Base: 34x39cm (13½x153⁄8in).
  • Ears: cut two using the template.

Making the front

Step 1

The dashed line on the template is the inner stitching line for the opening of the cat bed. Cut along this line and then place the whole template on the wrong side (WS) of the front outer fabric and draw around the edge of this cut out opening.

Step 2

Place the front outer right sides (RS) together with the front lining then place these centrally onto the front foam interfacing and pin together.

Step 3

Stitch the three layers together along the drawn line.

DIY cat bed step 1

Step 4

Cut the opening through all three layers 1cm (3/8in) inside the drawn line then snip into the corners and curves, taking care not to cut through the stitches.

DIY cat bed step 2

Step 5

Post the lining fabric through to the back so the foam is now between the outer and lining then press the inner opening so the seam lies right on the edge and the outer and lining fabric is flat.

DIY cat bed step 3

Step 6

Tack all three layers together along the outer edge then topstitch around the inner edge of the opening. Step seven Quilt horizontal lines across the three layers – this holds them together and gives it a decorative finish. We quilted our lines 3cm (1¼in) apart.

DIY cat bed step 4

Making the back, base and sides

Step 1

Place the back outer RS up on top of the back foam interfacing and pin together.

Step 2

Trim the foam to the same size and shape as the fabric.

Step 3

Place this on top of the WS of the back lining so the foam is between the two fabrics and they are both RS out then tack together all the way around.

Step 4

Quilt horizontal lines across the three layers in the same way as for the front and with the same spacing.

DIY cat bed step 5

Step 5

Layer, tack and quilt the base fabric outer and lining and foam interfacing pieces then the side fabric outer and lining and foam interfacing pieces in the same way.

Making the ears

Step 1

Place two ear pieces RS facing on top of the ear foam interfacing and pin together.

Step 2

Stitch together all the way around the curved edges, leaving the bottom straight edge open for turning.

Step 3

Clip the curves and the top point and trim the seams.

DIY cat bed step 6

Step 4

Turn RS out and press then topstitch all the way around.

DIY cat bed step 7

Step 5

Step five Fold the ear in half along the bottom straight edge then turn the folded centre over to one side by 1cm (3/8in) and stitch down to hold it in place.

Step 6

Repeat this to make the other ear in exactly the same way but this time, fold the centre fold over in the opposite direction to the first ear.

DIY cat bed step 8

Attaching the ears

Step 1

Measure and mark the top centre of the quilted bed front with a pin.

Step 2

Pin one ear so its inner edge is 6cm (23⁄8in) to one side of this pin, positioning it RS together with the bed front and matching the raw edges.

Step 3

Pin the other ear 6cm (23⁄8in) from the other side of the centre pin in the same way. Make sure that you position the ears so that their bottom fold is facing towards the centre.

Step 4

Stitch both ears into place within the seam allowance to hold.

DIY cat bed step 9

Making the binding strip

Step 1

Pin the short ends of two binding strips with RS facing and so they are at right angles to each other.

Step 2

Stitch together diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. Press the seam open then trim.

Step 3

Repeat to join the other strips to this in the same way to make one long strip.

Step 4

Fold the strip in half lengthways with WS together and press. Open out then turn the long edges over to the WS to meet in the centre and press.

Step 5

Fold the strip in half again lengthways and press to create a long binding strip which will be used to bind all the seams.

Attaching the base and sides

Step 1

Place the base and one of the short ends of the sides piece RS facing and pin or clip then stitch together.

Step 2

Fold the binding strip around the raw edges of this seam to completely encase it. Trim to fit then stitch into place either by hand or machine, making sure you don’t stitch beyond the original seam.

DIY cat bed step 10

Step 3

Pin or clip the base RS together across the front of the bed and then the sides piece all around the curved edge, stopping at the bottom edge again where you started. The sides piece is longer than needed to give the perfect fit.

DIY cat bed step 11

Step 4

Mark with a pin exactly where this meets the raw edge of the base. Take out a few pins either side of this then trim across the sides piece in a straight line so it is level with the base.

Step 5

Stitch the cut end of the sides piece to the base RS together and bind the seam in the same way as before.

Step 6

Clip or pin the sides and base around the bed front again and now it will fit exactly. Fitting and stitching the sides and base into place this way will ensure a perfect fit as it’s a curved shape.

Step 7

Stitch the base and sides all the way around the front of the bed and then bind the seam, turning under the short ends and overlapping them for neat finish.

DIY cat bed step 12

Step 8

Repeat this to stitch the other long edge of the base and sides RS together around the bed back and then bind the seam.

Step 9

Turn the bed RS out, remove the tacking stitches and press to finish.

You now know how to make a cat bed! We hope you enjoyed making this free cat bed pattern and that your pet loves their new DIY cat bed.

DIY cat bed

Rebecca Reid

Crafter, designer and TV presenter

Rebecca is founder of Amber Makes and has previously worked as Senior Technical Editor of Love Embroidery and Simply Sewing magazines. She works with sewing TV channels including Sewing Street, Yarn Lane and Sewing Quarter. She been stitching since she was a child and has worked on many craft magazines as well as running her own curtain-making business. She is known by her colleagues as a sewing oracle – you name it, she can sew it. She’s hugely knowledgeable about sewing techniques, fabrics and tools and is full of helpful advice for her fellow sewists, from the best place to buy curtain-making materials to which books and websites are handy for that sewing problem you’re stuck on.
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