Sew Magazine Clementine Cat well-dressed

I’ve a few new sewing projects but also some sewing techniques on a ‘I want to make/do list’. So now and then I sew soft toys like a sloth, pig, fox and a rag doll.
Until now all these soft toys weren’t able to move their arms or legs. So on my sewing techniques list was exploring how this can be done. 
A while ago I saw this Sew Magazine Clementine Cat. This cat has visible buttons joints for arms and legs. Perfect item for my technique project.

Sew Magazine Clementine Cat Doll well-dressed pattern and materials

The pattern to make this cat is available for free on the Sew Magazine website. The sewing instructies can be found in Sew magazine 114. I used a discarded sweater that had also a kind of teddy fabric on the insides as well.

This teddy fabric is used for tummy and tail tip. A piece of leftover pink fleece for the inside ears and footpad, faux black leather for the nose and small buttons for the eyes.

Invisible Button joining Clementine Cat

I found two methodes on the internet. One can buy special so called animal joints but there’s is also a method to this with buttons. After reading some instructions I gave it a go. One evening later, lots of patience, using heavy duty sewing yarn and strong needle my cat was moving het limbs. 

My Sew Magazine Clementine Cat get well-dressed

This being my first attempt I’m very pleased with the result. My Clementine Cat has another body. Before sewing all parts together I found the body to short for head and legs. I drafted a longer body and also made the tummy a little bid rounder. In my opinion all components of the cat are now better in proportion.

In the next nummer Clementine returns wearing a dress. Ik decided to make a denim dress for her using a piece of leftover fabric from the Chambray Japanese cross back apron. Looking closely at the SewMag Clementine I saw my ears aren’t placed like they should.

Time and Costs

Time for Clementine Cat: cutting 30 minutes; drafting new body parts 15 minutes; basting, stitching, stuffing and finishing 10 hours
Time for denim dress: cutting 30 minutes; basting, stitching and finishing 4 hours
Costs: pattern printing € 0,15; stuffing material € 5,00; yarn € 2,00; all other materials are leftovers or came from discarded clothes

What’s next

Weather is slowly changing. Despite the sunny days we still are having days are getting shorter and temperatures are slowly dropping. Time to a take a look at my wardrobe for the two coming Seasons. One thing I’ve learned from my participation in MMM2018 was missing cardigans. Time to tackle this first.