How do you start???

[Garbo]

how do you go about starting a fur suit, I tried to get a hold of a fur in Edmonton, but Beetlecat didn't respond.  So I am stuck with making my own.  With no sewing machine and no skill, can anybody direct me to a fur suit that I can buy?

[Temperance]

wait I'm confused.  Are you looking to buy a suit or make your own?

Commissioners may take time to respond as they get many requests for quotes,  and it may cost several thousand dollars to commission one.  I know Beetlecat Charges about $2000 per suit.

If you want to make your own suit, there are many tutorials online to help you.  I am always happy to answer any questions you might have about fursuit construction.

[Lady Serpent]

I also started with very little sewing skill, and just went for it from there.  Bought the materials and played around until I was happy.  Though, if you don't have that kind of enjoyment for sewing, and that much free time (it takes a while, especially on the first few!), then I'd suggest taking a look at buying one.

If you do plan to make one, though, I'd invest in a sewing machine and read at least part of the manual to learn how to use it.  Sewing by hand is possible, and you get quite good at it, but it causes very sore fingers without a thimble, and takes a lot longer in some cases.

There are a lot of people here that can help you out with specific questions.  Temperance is very good at providing tutorials as well.

Good luck;
-Lady Serpent

[Murra Dragon]

how do you go about starting a fur suit, I tried to get a hold of a fur in Edmonton, but Beetlecat didn't respond.  So I am stuck with making my own.  With no sewing machine and no skill, can anybody direct me to a fur suit that I can buy?

Beetlecat is a very busy critter- folks want her stuff because it's BEAUTIFUL...  She's in the mid-range for prices, too ($1200-$3000 or more), so I'd suggest saving up, since I don't believe she does layaway.

As for creating your own, for a simple "pyjama"-styled body, try looking in the McCall's pattern books for their costume suits- they're in the Hallowe'en section.  It may be a discontinued pattern so go to their web-site- they keep them on file and you can order most of the discontinued patterns there.  They're more expensive, though.  But the pattern is a simple one, and good for beginners.  It's a loose-bodied style, so it's easy to move around in.

If you just need a head, I'd suggest trying the various fursuit makers- most will make just the head for you if you provide enough references for your character.  It's also a lot cheaper than a full suit (around three to five hundred dollars for a head).  Since it's the head that makes the character (and any clothing you might wear with your suit), paying out the money to have a good one made may still be your best bet, unless you are a handy sort who likes making their own pieces.

Making one- check out the various tutorials out there- Beetlecat does a good one on Youtube; this one is in three parts, where she makes the furry outside, paints and finishes it.  Each time-lapsed vid is about ten minutes long.

I hope these links work!

Part one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jza6_wf7UQ
Part two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE3JMrdBmfM&feature=related
Part three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxh4RI_L0p0&feature=related

Here's one where she does a gorgeous tiger: (in four parts)

I:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x0uQeplOiQ&feature=related

II:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxBOnrwcg2c&feature=related

III:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCweqNeie2I&feature=related

IV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmuHjKKj6jg&feature=related

She's very cool about showing her techniques to folks, even if she may be too busy to respond right away. 

Here's a few more, from other furs who made their heads (I couldn't find any from-the form-to-the-finished-product by Beetlecat, though the fourth in the Tiger series has a few comments and pictures by her about how she puts them together).

From Furrtek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EacNGoDZeGc&feature=related  I can't find part two- I wonder if he ever finished it.

This one from Ciker Costumes (a technique I'm not sure about using, but it comes out looking pretty good):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2pfIPY5pJ8&feature=related  You can see the kind of needle he's using- a curved needle works great for getting into those hard to reach areas.

From Rainbowlycangel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoG9vTImUO0

There are a few more, but I figure these are good to start with. 

Happy suit making!

Murra Dragon