This in-the-hoop design has nine files. Four are the full embroidery files. The other five are dieline files marked with the letters DL. Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the right shape and size.

Open the dieline files with embroidery software and print them.  If you do not have embroidery software, Wilcom TrueSizer is a free program to use.

Cut around the paper dieline for the first side of the mouse (piece "a"), and spray the back of it with temporary adhesive. Then smooth it onto the right side of the fabric.

Labeling the paper dielines will help keep the pieces from being mixed up.

Cut out the shape, and fold back a corner of the paper dieline. Then repeat to cut out all four pieces of the mouse and the two felt ears.

Now that the fabric pieces are cut to the proper shape and size, it's time to embroider the design. Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer. Madeira E-Zee Tear 1.5 oz. or Floriani Tearaway Medium are good choices. Those brands are more fibrous, less paper-like, and will tear more cleanly.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the full embroidery design (not the dieline files) for the first side of the mouse (file "a").

Use a size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle, rather than an embroidery needle. A sharp sewing needle has a smaller, finer point than an embroidery needle, so that will make smaller perforations in the stabilizer.

Embroider the design. The first thing to embroider will be a dieline or outline. This marks the area on the stabilizer for the fabric piece.

Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Remove the paper from the fabric piece specified in the color change sheet, and spray the back side of the fabric piece with a small amount of temporary adhesive. Place the fabric right inside the sewn outline.

Attach the hoop back onto the machine and continue embroidering. A tackdown and border will sew next. Then the inner details will sew.

Once the embroidery is finished, unhoop the stabilizer and gently tear it away from the edges. Make sure to leave the tear-away stabilizer on the back of the fabric piece as this will add a little bit of structure to the finished piece.

Then repeat to embroider the other side of the mouse (file "b"), the top of the mouse (file "c"), and the bottom of the mouse (file "d"). Follow the color change sheets carefully and add the fabric dieline pieces before sewing each tackdown. Tear away the excess stabilizer once they are finished embroidering.

To assemble the mouse, first take the two sides (pieces "a" & "b"), and match up their edges and seams. Then pin the pieces together from the point of the nose and along the top side of the mouse 1 1/4" back to where the back starts to curve.

Sew the pieces together by sewing right along the inside of the tackdown line using a sewing machine and matching thread. Sewing along the sewn tackdown line will allow the seam allowances to all be equal, and will make all the pieces fit together properly.

Once the two sides are sewn together, locate the small square sewn into the seam allowance on each side. Take one ear, fold it in half, and line up the stem of the folded ear with the edges of that square. Baste it in place with a sewing machine. Make sure the open edge of the folded ear is facing the nose, and that the round part of the ear is against the side of the body.

Repeat to fold the other ear, and baste it in place on the other side.

Now that the ears are in place, take the top piece (file "c"), and match up the narrower point with where the two sides meet on the top side of the mouse. Pin the top piece to one side piece all the way from that point to the back point of the mouse.

Then sew along the sewn tackdown line to connect the top piece to that side, and remove the pins.

Repeat to pin and sew the top piece to the opposite side.

Then match up the narrower end of the bottom piece with the nose of the mouse. Pin the bottom piece to one side, and sew them together. Then repeat for the opposite side, except this time, leave a 2" opening for turning along the back side of the mouse where the tail will go.

Turn the mouse right side out through the opening.

Then stuff it full of polyester fiberfill.

To make the tail, cut a piece of yarn 4 1/2" long, and tie a large knot into one end. The knot will help keep the yarn from being pulled out of the mouse. (If giving to cats, make sure to supervise to prevent them from eating string or thread.)

Place the knotted end of the yarn into the mouse, and sew the opening closed with a hand needle and matching thread.