Here’s a step by step tutorial for making a super cute angel kitty pin. All you need are a few fabric scraps, buttons and beads. So gather up those little odds and ends you saved from other projects, the crazier the better.

This is a great project for anyone who loves cats or cat jewelry.

You’ll also learn some other ways to use this pattern. Let’s get started and have some fun!

Supplies you’ll need to make this angel kitty pin

• Fabric scraps, beads, buttons, sequins, fringe
• Fusible fleece
• Metallic embroidery floss
• Needles: a fine embroidery needle (a #9 or #10), regular sized needle and one with an extra large eye
• Regular sewing thread
• Embroidery scissors
• Point turner and creaser
• Aleene’s tacky glue
• Pin back, 1 1/2″ long

Photos of a few supplies

Draw the angel kitty pattern

Here’s my Katrina Angelina angel kitty pattern. Draw your own paper pattern based on the dimensions shown.* The wings measure 4″W x 2″H. The face measures 2″W x 2″H.

An easy way to get both sides even is to fold the paper in half and draw half of the face/wings. Then cut the pieces out, open the paper and both sides will be symmetrical.

The pattern is going to be traced onto fabric and that will be your stitching line.

*You have my permission to sell angel kitties made from my pattern as long as you credit Lynda Makara for the design.

Choose fabrics and embellishments

When you’re going through your stash, just pull out all the fabrics that appeal to you. Try putting different combinations together to see what speaks to you. Even strange fabric combinations can be made to coordinate with the colors of beads and trim you use. My preference is to use as many colors as possible and spread them around the design.

Cut out the fabrics

Trace the pattern pieces onto the fabric. Then cut out the fabric larger than the pattern.

Iron fusible fleece to the wrong side of one piece of the wing fabric. Draw the pattern onto the wrong side of the other piece of wing fabric. Cut a little horizontal slit into this piece of fabric for turning right side out later. Then pin the two pieces right sides together and sew.

Sewing tip: perfect corners

When sewing into corners, sew a U, not a V. For example, when you get to the corner, stop, pivot, take one stitch, then pivot and continue stitching on the line. This gives you a little room for snipping and the fabric will lay nice and flat after you turn it right side out.

Trimming, turning and pressing the fabric

Trim the seams very close to the stitching line and clip the corners. Turn right side out and use a point turner to push out the fabric. Then press. The side with the slit is going to be the back. The slit will be covered by a pin back and fabric later.

Repeat the process for the cat face.

Note: The slit in the cat face fabric should be a horizontal one toward the bottom of the face. The side with the slit is the back of the cat face which will be glued on top of the wings.

The process of sewing in photos

Decorate the angel kitty with seed beads

Now you get to decorate your angel kitty any way you want!

For the face I used lime green buttons for the eyes and bead embroidery with a very fine needle to outline the features.

For the wings I used sequins and bead embroidery. I used 11/0 seed beads in yellow, orange, blue and hot pink.

For the bead embroidery use a doubled thread. Put three beads on the needle, take a stitch and go back to where the first bead is. Run the needle back through the three beads. Then put another three beads on and continue.

Bead embroidery photos

Adding whiskers to the cat face

Take the largest needle and thread about 14″ of metallic embroidery floss. Make a knot about 2″ from the end. Put the needle in from the top of the fabric and pull through to the back. Bring the needle back up and make a knot on top of the fabric.

When making the knot, hold the needle against the fabric and pull the thread tight. Then take the needle out and press your nail against the knot as you pull it tight. You can also put a dot of clear nail polish on the knots to secure them. Do the other side and trim the whiskers to the same length.

Photos of sewing the cat whiskers

Finishing the angel kitty pin

When the embellishments are finished, the cat face is glued onto the wings and then secured with hand stitching. I added a little scrap of beaded fringe to the back of the cat face before gluing it to the wings.

On the back of the wings, glue the opening together first and then glue the pin back on top using tacky glue. After that dries a little bit, cover the pin back with a small piece of fabric coated with tacky glue. This makes it look better and also makes it more secure.

Photos of finishing the angel kitty pin

Another look at the completed angel kitty pin

Different ways to wear the angel kitty pin

Here it is on a jacket

Pinned to a fabric cuff bracelet

I think this looks fabulous pinned to a fabric cuff bracelet! It could also be sewn on if you didn’t want the versatility. (Learn how to make a cuff bracelet for your angel kitty pin.)

Other ideas for the angel kitty

• Hair barrette. Glue or sew a hair barrette to the back of the wings instead of a pin back.
• Headband. These are so popular today and this one would surely attract a lot of attention.
• Magnet. Glue a magnet on the back and put it on your refrigerator.
• Ornaments. Just attach a thread hanger instead of a pin back. Imagine having a tree full of angel kitty ornaments!

Gallery of angel kitties

This is a really fun project, and I hope you’ve been inspired to make your own unique angel kitties!