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A gorgeous cat made of calico and filled with sand so he's weighty enough to hold your door open! His lifelike appearance is the result of a simple paint sponging technique.

You'll need:
1m thermal (heavyweight) calico
Fabric paints: Matisse White, Yellow, Red, White and Haymarket
Fine liner brush
Sponge
Pencil
Glass cat's eyes and plastic nose (from craft shops)
Craft glue
All-purpose sealer
Paintbrush
Strong black thread
Small piece 3mm MDF
Half a bucket of dry sand
Broom or brush

Here's how:
1. Pin together two pieces of 50cm square calico, right sides together.

2. Enlarge the cat pattern to the desired size using the grid or a photocopier and trace the pattern onto the calico, including all markings. Cut out, leaving a 5mm seam allowance all round. Sew the two body pieces together, leaving a 4cm opening in one side. Stitch the base to the cat, sewing about 2/3 of the way around. Turn through to the right side.

3. Cut a base from MDF, making it 3mm smaller all around than the pattern. Apply some craft glue to one side and slip it between the cat and the base, glue side down. Press the MDF on to the base and allow the glue to set. Stitch the opening closed.

4. Use a funnel to fill the cat with sand through the side opening. Do not overfill or it will be hard to sew. Hand stitch to close the opening.

5. Cut out the tail, adding a 5mm seam allowance. Fold in half lengthwise, right sides together, and stitch around the raw edges leaving the flat end open; turn to right side. Use the funnel to pour sand into the tail through the opening. Do not use too much sand or the tail won't be able to bend. Stitch the opening closed. Stitch the tail to the cat.

6. To shape the legs: Working from the foot, use your fingers to pinch the two sides of the legs together, with some sand inside. Insert the needle, threaded with black thread, in one side of the leg on the dotted line, push it through the sand and out the other side on the dotted line. Pull the thread tightly and work up the leg, pinching the sand together and pulling the thread tightly after each stitch. Repeat for the other leg.

7. Apply a coat of sealer to the cat, paying special attention to seams and stitching. The sealer will act as glue, strengthening the seams and will also prevent the sand from seeping out. Allow the sealer to dry.

8. Mix a 50/50 mix of Haymarket and white. With a sponge, apply colour to the front legs, ears, sides of face and back of body. Apply the colour lightly using a pouncing motion. Wash the sponge and blend the edges of the painted area into the fabric. Mix a light ginger colour using yellow, red and white. Use the sponge to blot this colour into the cream to create a blotchy effect. Blend the colours to eliminate any sharp lines. Blot the cat's back with the same colour. Use the sponge to apply a smudge of diluted Burnt Umber across the back, beginning at the left side and smudging it around to the right to create an illusion of roundness. Blend the Burnt Umber with the other colours. Lightly smudge Burnt Umber randomly over the back. Paint the tail in the same way. Mix white with a touch of Haymarket and sponge it lightly in a triangle on the cat's chest. Blend in well.

9. Place the cat's eyes and nose in position and lightly trace around them with a pencil. Remove them and use Burnt Umber and a fine liner brush to mark the outlines. Do not blend. Apply another coat of sealer to the cat and allow to dry.

10. Attach the eyes and nose using craft glue. Use extra strong black cotton and buttonhole stitch to embroider the mouth. Snip some bristles from your broom or brush and attach either side of the nose with glue. Bring the tail around to the front and sew to the body about 3cm from the tip. Apply a dab of glue to the stitches to reinforce them.

Tip
When sewing through heavy fabric use a thimble; you could also cut a square from an old rubber glove and use it to give better grip when you pull the needle through.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens July 1998