I made a second version with thicker fur. I added an insole and could say that this was like making a shoe, rather than altering a sneaker. Having movable foam toes is a niche I wanted. The red part is what goes over my own toes.

The way these are made is sculpting the toes, as one piece, out of foam. Then sewing (by hand) very short stitches (14 per inch) to attach the fur over the toes.

I have to say that I am not satisfied. The outline of my own foot can easily be seen. If anyone has a tutorial or how to work in the toes, that would be great. The only thing I can think of is making the upper all one piece from calf to toes.

After many hours of planing and metalworking I made one digiti-grade stilt. I attached the straps and gave it a test run. Actually It was more like how much pressure I could deal with on one area. The idea is good but the engineering is a little off.

With only 4 days until RMFC I quickly decided to make a pair of sock paws. The hardest part was coming up with the correct measurements for the pattern I found online. I managed to finish the socks but not the paws. I was going to sew on the legs brown fur too. I had no other choice but to wear a normal pair of sneakers. Oh well...

I did take about 260 pictures while I was at RMFC. It was so much fun! There really wasn't a dull moment day or night. Can't wait until next year!

I haven't given up on the digiti-grade stilts. Even though it is a failure now. I will be back at the drawing board. As for the sock paws, you'll see pictures when I get them done soon.

I fixed everything I wanted to fix just in time before AC. I am really happy with how the eyes have improved so I will call them finalized. I attached a buttoned strap on the back of the neck. This strap really is necessary to keep the elastic band up and the arms pulled taught.

Of course I did pay attention in the panel about fursuit building. It was basic but, I did find some helpful pointers. I will affix the jaw better and hide my own inside better, a new nose, and hopefully have a pair of digitigrade feet by RMFC.

So for right now I'm re-doing the eyes. We all know how Uncle (name) can be. Whether it's our own uncle that points out everything that needs to be fixed around the house, or Uncle Frank in the corner. I admit that I did ask to red line my work. Some say, why should I even care what others think? It's wise to say, this is good 'feedback' because there are some things we don't see ourselves. I will be making the iris and pupils smaller along with changing the eyelids. Recreating the eyes from start to finish takes about a full day.

Another change will be my forearms. I bought some cheap black fabric at Walmart just to get by for an upcoming outing. With AC around the corner this will not work. The cheap fabric is taring and I am constantly pulling my gloves tight that are actually made for formal wear. I bought some black fur from Fabric.com and will be making a new set of forearms with paws.

The elastic used to hold the sleeves up will be reduced to a short 10 inches across the back. Before it was almost 24 inches.

I finally finished it. Using 1/2 inch foam built on a balaclava lining. A movable jaw with sculpted teeth. Of course I already have plans to make a second version a little better than this. For now I at least have something! Yay!

I've been working on building a raccoon head all February. Slow going for the most part because it's my first time making one. My job every day does get in the way but, hopefully I will have it finished by April for all to see.