Horse suit beginnings

[altivo]

OK, one of this summer's goals was to have a full fursuit ready before MFF. I've made a start, ordered the fur, decided what approach I want to take, checked measurements, etc. I'm not as worried about the head as I am about the body, which may seem a little strange but I've made heads before. So at this point I'm laying out the pattern on plain muslin to make what is called a "sloper", a model garment that can be used for fitting and when the fit is correct, then I will pull it apart and use the pieces of muslin as the final pattern for cutting the fur. I want a loose fit, allowing the body to be a bit baggy because in my experience, that is both more comfortable and cooler. Anthro-horses can be astonishingly realistic, as shown by the amazing work done by eposognatus and triggur, but I'm going for something a bit more cartoonish here.

I'm still undecided about velcro vs. a zipper for the front seam. Velcro is easier to install and easier to get in and out of, but I'm not sure how well it will hold. I'm hoping to be fairly active in this suit, provided I can get adequate vision. That's tricky and will involve some sort of compromise for a horse character, but I'm sure I'll find one. I already have a decent tail and ankle feathers from the partial I made for last year, so we're off and running.

I've seen some very elaborate hoof prosthetics that are suitable for professional stage and film work, but I'm not going there, at least not now. They are expensive and time consuming to build, and would take a fair amount of practice getting used to wearing. Simpler and easier to make versions often require the wearer to walk on the balls of his/her feet, or even en point like a ballerina. I have no delusions that my calf muscles are up to that for even the length of a fursuit parade. Falling back on 'Tivo's identity as a Clydesdale, he will have big(!) hooves that allow me to walk on my soles normally (fortunately my own feet are not overly large) and some padding and seam trickery to make it look like he has pasterns even though the joints won't flex naturally. It will look good at least standing still or sitting down, I'm hoping. The feathers cover a lot anyway.

For hands I'm taking good ol' Quickdraw McGraw as my model. He had forehooves with thumbs, so I am designing mittens that will look like hooves as long as the thumb is carried tucked under. Opening doors and punching elevator buttons can be difficult without a thumb, so...compromise. :D

Equine costumes seem pretty scarce when counted against the number of canines, vulpines, and felines, so I expect to get noticed even if only to be laughed at. 'Tivo is a bit of a clown anyway, certainly more clownish than yiffy, so that's probably all right. Photos of progress as this project proceeds.

(Oh, yes. And for those of you who will be present at MFF... 'Tivo is both huggable and pettable.)

Comments

[corelog.livejournal.com]

Sounds good, so good luck! :D

[altivo.livejournal.com]

*sneaks up behind you on padded plushy hooves and gets in a shaggy-armed hug before you know what he's about*

[songdogmi.livejournal.com]

So at this point I'm laying out the pattern on plain muslin to make what is called a "sloper"...

To quote Morticia Addams: "Oooh you've done this before..." (sewing in general, I mean.)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Sewing? Oh sure. Most of my life. Practical clothes for myself, and theatrical costumes for myself and others. I even have a little trophy somewhere for the designs I did for a local theatre production of The Lion in Winter years ago. Medieval finery is a bit different from fursuits, though.

I also have worked with fur fabric pretty extensively, but mostly for making plush toy animals. This is going to be an adventure, but I hope a fun one. I'm setting my mind on something more practical than realistic for this attempt. If it works, I may think about other possibilities. I'd like to try a donkey or a llama, for instance.

[songdogmi.livejournal.com]

Just think of yourself as a large plush toy animal, and you'll do fine.

I knew you had lots of experience with sewing, though I didn't know about the theatrical kudos. Way cool.

Medieval finery... makes me remember that the Michigan Renaissance Festival is coming in about two or three weeks, and my garb is still fairly pathetic. My usual approach is to ignore it for about 45 weeks, then obsess about how I should come up with something during the other seven weeks, which happen to be the same weeks as the festival runs. Thing is, I can't claim any significant sewing experience (patches on jeans, that's about it), so any plans I come up with wither pretty rapidly. Attempting to buy garb usually crashes too, given that I'm bigger than the average Renbear. And barbarians in animal pelts aren't usually seen at our festival like they are at the southern faires (gee, I wonder why?).

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I've seen some barbarians at the Bristol Faire in Wisconsin, but usually they seem to be the tall, Nordic blond type. Built like Conan the Barbarian and carrying hammers or axes, they are a bit off period-wise but certainly impressive to look at.

Have you ever tried the resale shop approach? It's amazing what you can come up with by hunting through the Salvation Army or Amvets used clothing. Stuff from the 60s and early 70s often lends itself easily to Renaissance period costume. Those full-sleeved "poet" shirts, for instance. Combine one with a dark vest, a floppy brimmed hat with a big feather, and some baggy trousers gathered at the cuff. Voila! Little or no sewing, and you're a Shakespearean peasant. ;D

Yes, the plush toy look is pretty much what I'm after with this costume. There are some details I could add to make him exactly match my character on Tapestries, but only one or two people would get them, so no need. (Aviator jacket, goggles, and white scarf would do it perfectly.)

[songdogmi.livejournal.com]

Resale shops are always iffy because even before I needed "big" I always needed "tall" -- us tall folks have to hang onto our clothes because they're hard to come by and more expensive, so they don't show up in second-hand stores much. But never say never; it's probably worth looking. Could buy at the festival too, except the shops there don't always have a great size selection. (The Faire Paire, a tights vendor, does real well with sizing, though.)

Last year I had the idea that I should capitalize on my size and try to make a really intimidating outfit to look like some sort of knight/warrior. But the cost of all the leather armore would probably send me scurrying for a bankruptcy lawyer. Well, at least all the leather I'd want, that is. ;-)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, a collection of leather like that wants to be acquired a bit at a time. I'd say resale is still a possibility, just might take more hunting. When looking for out-of-style garments, though, being an unusual size is no more disadvantage than at any other time. There were big and talls in 1969 too. :) I'll ask my mate. He has a large collection of mail order catalogs from historic recreation places. I know they cover Civil War and Colonial times, and I'll bet there are one or two for Ren Faire stuff.

If you know someone who sews, you could work out some kind of deal. The costume I described is not a difficult one to make from whole cloth, and suitable patterns are available.

[songdogmi.livejournal.com]

I do know someone who sews (locally I mean... guess I know you too, but you're busy sewing ;-). She helped me with a part of my garb during the year she also made garb for her and her husband. Alas, her husband is now her ex, and that put a kink in the Ren Faire-going for the whole group who used to go together. No, of course it's not her fault for that; and she still goes frequently because her present companion is an artist at the Faire. But all the rest of the time she's not at Faire, she's working two jobs and taking care of a sick dog. So I don't want to approach her about it.

I've been trying to talk myself into buying a sewing machine for years. I think I actually could handle it if I put the time into it and didn't get too upset that the very first piece wasn't perfect. ;-) But a sewing machine is only one of about eleventy-dozen things I want to buy or try. Ah, the dangers of being interested in everything....

[altivo.livejournal.com]

A basic sewing machine isn't a huge investment. Look for a used, reconditioned one, and expect to spend about $100 for a basic zig-zag model. You won't be wanting the modern computerized types that sew borders with little flowers or puppy dogs anyway. Among older machines, White is an excellent, sturdy brand name in my experience.

Knowing how to run a sewing machine for basic repair and adjustment tasks is a good bachelor skill and not hard to learn. :) Sewing peasant clothing isn't much more difficult than the basic repair level. Unless you want to spend some time practicing, you probably won't be making business clothing, though.

[songdogmi.livejournal.com]

That's what I was thinking about peasant clothing. I wouldn't be sewing any gowns, which I'm sure need advanced techniques (if only to cope with the fancier fabrics used). But simple shirts and jerkins would probably be within my capabilities, if I could noodle out the patterns.

I've had other ideas behind wanting a sewing machine. Of course, some of those ideas involve leather, and that means either getting a heavy duty machine or being very very careful and stocking extra needles. Right?

Actually, my nephew's wife (niece-in-law?) has a sewing machine, and I know she's not using it because she's getting ready to move at the end of August. Why, I could offer to store it for her. Hmmmm.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

For heavy leather you need a special machine, and it's expensive.

For lightweight leather, like what's in gloves or some clothing, I've found that an old-fashioned straight stitch sewing machine works fine. I have an old White from the 50s that does the trick. You want a special needle that is triangular in cross section and has a cutting tip for leather. It's called a "leather needle" (ta-da!)

I paid $40 for that old White, and have used it to repair jeans, and sew a heck of a lot of fur fabric over the years. It dates to the time when White still made their machines in the US, using mill cut parts rather than pressings and plastic. (The model number is 77.)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

BTW, I just did a Google search on +renaissance +fair +garb +catalog

Lots of hits. With a little judicious shopping, you can probably find some new duds without spending too much.

[songdogmi.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it's possible. I've been to Faires, and there are a lot of large people there. ;-) They must get their garb from somewhere.

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Equines 'suits are rather uncommon. I look forward to seeing 'Tivo at MFF. I'll probably have a few questions as I'm planning a partial 'suit, (not equine, but also uncommon) and I'm hoping to have something in time for RCFM next year. I don't expect to be ready by MFF, alas, and am not about to rush things to try.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Sure. I'll be glad to share whatever information or tips I have. You're thinking of the delivery ox guy, right? I like that idea, he should be fun.

I'll bet you could come up with the tail and feet in time for MFF. They'd be good even by themselves.

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

That's the one. I suppose the feet and tail could be done by MFF, deciding to use them without the headpiece is something I'm not sure about. But at least I have a few months to think about it.

[ducktapeddonkey.livejournal.com]

Coolies!

Good luck with your fursuit. I can't wait to see it.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I promise progress reports with photos.

[drelonek.livejournal.com]

I'd be tempted to get a suit of Veroa made up, but I never go to any of those things, and generally I'd be too nervous to wear it, probably.

That and I have none of the experience or will to make one, probably.

Keep us updated as it goes, by the way, I want to see how yours turns out.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Well, now, I used to think I was too shy for the stage. But I'm not. The thing is, the heavier the costume and makeup, the more you get to be someone else. No one knows who is under that. The character comes out so easily.

Once I had done that a couple of times, I found that it didn't matter after all. When I played Benjamin the Donkey in Animal Farm, we did it without masks or costumes, just a barn setting and farmer's overalls. It was wonderful, I really enjoyed it.

Wearing a fursuit is like being a clown. Under the makeup, no one can see you. And you don't have to speak a word. After all, it isn't necessary to the part.

[drelonek.livejournal.com]

True. Veroa'd make a cute suit, too. :P

[cats-haven.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a plan to me. While I was reading the post, I thought you were talking about the MFM con coming up in September. Where will MFF be held?

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Midwest Furfestis November 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield, just west of Chicago in Schaumburg.

[cats-haven.livejournal.com]

Cool! A friend of mine used to help out with that before he moved out of state.

[calydor.livejournal.com]

My costume making experience is even smaller than my experience handling big 18 wheeler trucks, but in regards to velcro vs. zipper, how hard would it be to make a set of buttons covered by a small velcro flap? Or maybe concealing the zipper that same way?

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Not hard, but more work than either velcro or zipper alone. Buttons are the worst for getting something on or off quickly (not that I expect to be in a rush, but it's stage-costume instinct to want to save time there.) Zippers are a pain to install in plush fabric. They're a pain to install in anything for that matter...

[pioneer11.livejournal.com]

I'll be the mundane guy wandering around at MFF going "Urr?"

^_^

*makes a point to get a pic with you in full fursuitage*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

You'll be at MFF? First time or have you been before?

[pioneer11.livejournal.com]

I was there once before. November of Oh One.

I belive this /might/ be a pic concerning me then
but I can't be sure:
http://www.graphxpress.com/cgi-bin/wcotp.cgi?date=20011127
The top right, were you see the foxie peeking in with a
"Whats all this then?" look.

^_^

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I'll add you to my list of folks to look for there. I've reserved a room this year instead of planning on commuting to save money. The daily drive wasn't that unpleasant, but fursuiting would require a local base of operations I think. And I want to see some of the late night stuff this time without worrying that I'd be too tired driving home (about 50 miles.)