How Karina Makes Her Mice — Part 1: The Body

Watch Karina, creator of the Mouse Mansion, show how she brings her mice to life. In this first video of a three-part series, she takes you behind the scenes to show how she makes the body of each mouse — entirely by hand, without a fixed pattern, and with the kind of quiet confidence that comes from years of making tiny creatures.

There's something deeply satisfying about watching someone work with their hands like this. No rush, no fuss — just fabric, thread, and a gentle kind of concentration. If you've ever wondered how those little mice get their shape, this is where it all begins.

What You'll See

In this video, Karina walks you through the earliest stage of making a mouse — building the body from nothing but a piece of fabric and some stuffing. Here's what to look out for:

• Choosing fabric — Karina picks soft, muted fabrics that give each mouse its own skin tone and character.
• Cutting shapes freehand — no printed pattern here. She cuts the body pieces by eye, trusting her hands to find the right shape.
• Sewing the body pieces together — small, careful stitches that hold everything in place, leaving an opening for the stuffing.
• Stuffing technique — how she fills the body bit by bit, adding just enough to give it shape without making it too stiff.
• Shaping the head and body — the moment where a flat piece of fabric starts to look like a little creature. This is where the magic happens.

Want to Try It Yourself?

If Karina's video inspired you to make your own mouse, we have a step-by-step sewing pattern that makes it easy. Our digital sewing pattern includes the full pattern pieces and detailed instructions — so you don't have to cut freehand like Karina does. It's a lovely way to get started, especially if this is your first time sewing something small.

Once your mouse has a body, you'll want to dress it. Our knitting pattern lets you knit tiny sweaters, scarves, and hats. And if crochet is more your thing, Karina's crochet book is full of patterns for the cosiest little mouse accessories.

This is part one of a three-part series. In part two, Karina shows how she makes the clothes. In part three, she adds all the finishing details — eyes, whiskers, and that special expression.