Pallid Bar Fursuit Concept - Could it Work?

[drekanapallid]

Hello, fursuiters! This is my first ever livejournal entry, as well as my first foray into building a fursuit, so please bear with me. I have been a furry for about 5 years now, but have finally decided it would be fun to put myself out there more. I decided there was no time like the present to get started on a suit, and at the very least it would

Comments

[zaulankris]

If you've never done any sort of crafting before, I'd say start (a lot) smaller.

I'd say start with a tail and go from there-- they're dead easy to make and if it's even halfway decent, someone else may buy it from you and you can reinvest that money into the larger projects you're really interested in.

I really don't want to be a downer but if you start small, you'll get a feel for what you can do and where you need more practice. There is nothing more frustrating than buying a bunch of things you can't return to the store, working for months and either giving up entirely or the end result isn't at all what you hoped for.

[foofers]

I've seen someone do a bat as their first fursuit and it came out excellent...so it's definitely possible.

I'd really suggest not having the wing bones connected to one's fingers though, because leverage. Bump into someone, break a finger, not fun.

[familliaraver]

*Find examples of already existing fursuits that fit what you're trying to do. Remember, not all fursuit builders, especially ones that build realism, post everything they do on FA. Check their twitters, tumblrs, and other media. You might be surprised in what you find as inspiration!

*definitely agreeing with starting small. Grab some clay and sculpt a miniature version of the mask you want to do.

*invest in good solid reference sheets. Don't just rely only on pictures of the animal.

*When I made my first suit, I tried to stay the road most traveled. Learn the basics, work within your strengths and be prepared to invest money and time in a smaller project that mine incorporate everything you're trying to do.

[sableantelope]

Just want to add a second to working in miniature.

I was really intimidated jumping into making a fursuit head so I started with making some plushies again(I'd done that in the past) and then a miniature of my head(which I plan to use kind of like an 'art doll' style head on a plushie) and then onto a full head.

I also chopped up a lot of scrap fabrics, worn out clothes from friends and sheets, etc. So I could get used to using different materials like you do with fur. Personally I find working with faux fur much harder than cloth. So going back to easy materials and working up to difficult stuff was a big help.

The materials are expensive, too, so if you have a limited budget making stuff in small scale and cheaper materials first helps you get better before potentially ruing the good stuff.

(although I know most people aren't just so naturally awful at sewing the way I am and wont need as much sewing practice. *L*)

thanks!

[drekanapallid]

Thank you all for your insight. I plan to start in miniature at first (maybe around a 12" armature?)

Any suggestions in the materials? In particular the wing membrane and the "skin" on the arms and legs?