For a Swap: Little Plushie (or "Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty")

I haven't been sewing much for swaps lately.  There's been a lull in the types I like (dotee dolls, stuffed toys) so it's mostly been fabric swaps (good, but not THAT interesting).

I got this little cutie done last night.

Ok, if I can just say it.  OH MY EFFING GAWD, is that one cute kitty or WHAT?!

I'll give you a minute to collect yourself.  Deep, cleansing breaths.

Here's the best part.

I've made this pattern before and this one is SO MUCH BETTER.  See, that's how things should be.  You go back to a pattern a few years later, with better skills, and you really crank out something that looks GOOD.  I don't have a shot of the original I made from this pattern (really, it was years ago) but he's not nearly as cute as this.  He's very disgruntled looking, which is kind of how I felt when I was making him.

This cutie is not only a testament to how great it is to improve your skills, but also to learning about fabrics and what fabric is best for what project.  The original kitty I made was from all cotton and I sewed it all on the machine.  BUT, the pattern wasn't made for "all turning".  The head, arms, and legs were meant to be made from felt or another fabric that is good for top stitching (not sewing then turning).  There's no seam allowance for the head and limbs.  DUH!  I don't know if I even noticed that years ago or if I did and just decided to use the fabric I had on hand instead.  My first kitty did turn out, but not as well as this one and it was VERY frustrating to use different fabrics and have to fight with them.  Making the original kitty wasn't exactly fun or quick.  This kitty was both.  Went together easily and with very little (I may even say NO) drama.

I did make one change to the pattern this time around.  I added a tail.  It's just two "arm" pieces glued together and sewn to the rump.  Very simple but I like this kitty better with a tail.

Look at that little face.  (yes, I did do a little clean up to get the fuzzies off him)

This cutie is for a Little Plushie swap.  I'm very excited to send him off.  Yeah, I have a proud.