HELP! 10 questions from a first time fursuit maker:
Hello everyone!
I officially began my fursuit-making journey last Monday after 10+ years in the fandom!!! I commissioned a custom TPU headbase of my main sona! The model is fully custom and will come with eye blanks, horns, ears, and a little head plate that attaches the ears to the base! Pictures of her current work-in-progress 3D model are in the next slides :))
I have a bunch of questions about supplies, lining methods/ how to create removable + washable liners, head helmets/adjustment methods, sewing methods, etc!! I am also looking for general recommendations for working with/ maintaining TPU heads!
[But first, image credits (all Instagram): Art in the first slide is by me, 3D modeling by @ cavy_creations_, top fursuit inspo pic is by @ mupple_pup, the middle is by @ lillymoon_studios, and the bottom is by @ nu_m00n]
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
What I've gathered so far:
- Here are the supplies I am planning to buy for this project; please let me know if I should add anything that will improve quality of life during the building process:
Milex Insta Stitch Portable Sewing Machine, 98pc plastic sewing clips, 3 sizes of C-shaped needles, many sizes of normal needles, black/white polyester thread, a rotary cutting tool set (rotary cutter, A5 mat, carving knife), an edge stitch lock & sewing gauge/ spacing guide, fur brushes, LQT pet shaver (3mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm) & fur scissors, duct tape, E6000 glue. Zippers for easy head removal/ for liner (tentative). I don't know if I need to buy a hot glue gun for this project, but let me know 0,0
- As far as fur goes, I am planning on going with Howl Fabrics or limey furs! I'll be lining with neoprene and using minky in her mouth.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
My 10 questions:
Q1. (Head Pading/ Support) Edit: I will no longer be going with the fursuit helmet! I will be glueing on adjustable straps that are much more sleek and light weight. Does anyone have any thoughts and opinions on inner head padding and support (for head balance/ comfort)?
Q2. (Removable Liner) Does anyone have any good video tutorials on how to make a removable fursuit head liner? What kind of extra materials would I need to do it? How much do they improve ease of maintenance for a fursuit? I kinda want to know if the extra time people spend installing these has a great, good, or marginal effect on their fursuit head longevity.
Q3. (Rounded jaw) How should I go about making her side-profile jaw look smooth and round (like in the reference picture I drew and the nu_m00n example)? Do I need to buy foam to do this? If so, which type is the best for gluing to TPU?
Q4. (PLA horn mounting) Does anyone have any strong opinions about how to mount her horns? If I print them as PLA, they might be very heavy and fall off easily, but I think Minky-lined TPU horns aren't the look that I'm going for... If I make them hollow PLA, I am worried that they'll crack easily. How can I get that big shiny horn look without making them fall off very easily? Can you do a sort of anchoring system on fursuit heads? Can screws be used? Maybe they can be removable?
Q5. (Hair/mohawk) Calling fursuit hair stylists!! Do any of you have tips for making her mohawk/mane out of fur? If so, please lmk! I'm also looking for video tutorials on this too! I'd love a layered look for the back of her head. Should I use foam to make a mohawk?
Q6. (Nose) How do you make a pickable nose?
Q7. (Mouth/teeth/gums) Not really a question, but if you found some awesome tutorials on complex teeth/gums, please leave them in the comments! I'd really like to go all out on her chompers!
Q8. (Magnets) Which fursuit features are more convenient for making magnetic? Tongues, eyebrows, horns--even?? Also, does anyone know the most seamless way to install magnets?
Q9. (General TPU Lining) Is there a special way/ order that TPU heads should be lined? I have seen makers just fully line the face, but nothing else. I'd like to fully line my suit, but is it best to start with the face for TPU before even starting head and neck lining? Also, I'D LOVE some general lining tips/tricks you've learned over time!!
Q10. (Shaving) My character has VERY short fur (like seal fur). What is the best way to go about shaving the fur I buy to make it as short as possible without making it go bald? Is there a certain type of fur that works best for very short shaving? Can I pre-shave the fur all the way down to the length I want it before I start sewing it??
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Conclusion:
To all makers, new or vets: if you have any tips, tricks, and/or tutorial videos that you think it would be helpful to share, I'd be forever grateful! THANK YOU SO MUCH if you were able to contribute and help me along my journey!!!
Feel free to DM me if you have lots to say or want to talk about this project more in depth! Thank youuuu!!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
I'll be using this account to update anyone interested in her progress as time goes on! Any time I make new progress, I'll make a post!!