My cats have always loved to tunnel under my quilts when they're draped over the couch. I got this idea after I had cleaned cat hair off of it for the umpteenth time! Lined with fake fur, this irresistible tunnel has an adjustable drawstring that can be closed for a cozy nest, or left open for a great pass-through. My feline friends now have a perfect location for their mischief, and I no longer have to vacuum fur off my couch!

Finished size: 18" tall by 36" long [45 cm tall by 90 cm long]

Materials
Fabrics
• 1-3/8 yards (44"-wide) [1.3 m (112 cm wide)] heavyweight cotton fabric for the exterior
• 1-1/8 yards (58"-wide) [1 m (150 cm wide)] fake fur for the lining

Other supplies
• Coordinating thread
• Yardstick
• Chalk pencil or fabric marker
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Large safety pin

Notes
• All seams are 1/2" [1.3 cm] unless otherwise stated. (The 1/2" seam allowance is included in all cutting measurements.)
• Preshrink your exterior fabric by washing, drying, and pressing if before starting your project. (Do not prewash the fake fur.)

Click here to view charts

Instructions
Step 1. Cut out all pieces from the fabric.
First, simply measure and mark the dimensions below directly onto the Wrong side of the fabric, using a yardstick and a chalk pencil. Then, using your scissors, cut out each panel following the marked lines.

From the fabric for the exterior
• Cut 1 drawstring: 4" wide x 49" long [10 x 125 cm]
• Cut 1 main panel: 37" wide x 37" long [94 x 94 cm]

From the fake fur fabric for the lining
• Cut 1 main panel: 37" wide x 37" long [94 x 94 cm]

Step 2. Make the exterior tunnel with an opening on one end for the drawstring.
Fold the exterior main panel in half lengthwise with the Right side together, matching up the side raw edges, and pin them in place. Starting at the top raw edge of the folded panel, using your yardstick and chalk pencil, measure 3/4" [2 cm] down the side raw edge and make a mark.

Measure down again 1-1/2" [4 cm] and make another mark. Now, starting at the top raw edge, stitch a 1/2" [1.3 cm] seam from the top raw edge to the first mark you made (3/4" [2 cm]) down, backstitching at each end. Then, leave a 1-1/2" [4 cm] space and begin stitching at the second mark you made (1-1/2" [4 cm] from the first). Continue to stitch the rest of the side seam down the length of the panel, backstitching at each end. Press the seam allowance open. (Figure 2)

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Excerpted from Amy Butler's In Stitches by Amy Butler, with photographs by Colin McGuire and illustrations by Jacob Redinger. Excerpted with permission by Chronicle Books. Copyright 2006 by Amy Butler, Colin McGuire and Jacob Redinger. All rights reserved. No part of this may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.