So, you’ve finished your head and now you’re ready to add some paws to the mix. PAW-some! Get it? I’m very funny. Am doggo.
There are a number of different types of hand paws. 4 fingers, 5 fingers, puffy, more realistic, etc. I prefer the puffy paw type myself. Below you’ll find a list of commonly required supplies as well as a number of video tutorials. The supplies may vary a little depending on what style you’re going to make, and you may have some things left over from your head (fur, thread, etc).
Either way, adding paws is an awesome way to take your suiting to the next level!
Materials
Required
Please note the links supplied here are simply SUGGESTIONS and you are welcome to substitute whatever products you feel appropriate. The only things you should avoid are things that can hold moisture like cardboard or other paper products, and low-quality fur.
- Something to stuff your paw pads with. This will depend on the style of pads you choose.
- 1/2 square yard of high-quality faux fur (more may be required if you have multiple colors) – Many people have gone with ‘Shannon Fabrics’ on Amazon (links below, more colors are available if you search). If they don’t have the colors you want, check out the links on this page: https://www.patchesthe.dog/index.php/crafting-a-fursuit-101-other-useful-resources/
- Knit gloves (I build my hand paws around cheap knit gardening gloves much like Sparky!)
- Sharp scissors
- Utility knife (with extra knives or blades)
- Something to mark the fur (black Sharpies work well but could show through the fur depending on color and length. Be careful with colored Sharpies)
- Sewing pins
- Sewing needles
- High strength/upholstery thread (200 yards matching the color(s) of your fur)
- Duct tape (for patterning)
- Scrap paper (for patterning)
- Measuring Tape
- Fur trimmers/clippers