That is so cool! I wish I was handy with a needle and thread, I'm still learning! I like how you did the loops, they look like they would keep it secure.

Mind if I ask, how long does it normally take to do something like this? Do you have any tips for a person new to sewing?

Thanks! To be fair, I've been sewing/around sewing since I was a kid; it takes a while to build up confidence, but you get there eventually.

If I'd done it all in one stretch (and hadn't screwed up the pattern to start with), it probably would've taken about ten-ish hours.

The belt loops actually go *inside* the body of the tail; they're literally loops, running into the tail, behind a piece of cardboard (for structure), and back out. They're sewn/hot glued on the inside.

The only tip for sewing I really have is, start slow! If you try to hand-sew something like this your first project, you'll drive yourself batty! Try starting out with maybe a pair of ears, something small, just to get the feel of it. Starting small also helps you not lose patience when hand-sewing seems to take forever.

Also, try learning basic stitches and practicing them on some scrap fabric. Oh, and buy a pair of fabric scissors that YOU ONLY USE FOR FABRIC. (paper, foamies, et cetera dull scissors like you wouldn't believe; buy a pair of the cheap ones if you want to cut paper with them too)

The most basic sewing kit you really need is a pair of fabric scissors, a pair of paper scissors (for cutting/making patterns), a marking pen/some sort of writing implement, pins, and needles. (I recommend a pincushion - I loves me pin tomato!) Oh, and if you want to make your own basic patterns (it's what I do; try finding a pattern for this tail anywhere!), you can use newspaper or cheap newsprint that they sell for kids to draw on.

The two stitches I use the most are the blanket stitch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blanket_stitch) and the backstitch. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backstitch) Although I do occasionally use others.

Heh, that was a lot of information. Hope the infodump helped!

Thank you very much! I appriciate it.

I have all the materials I need, my mom is into sewing (she has one of those fancy-schmancy machines too, that do all the work for you.) I have a machine, too, but I wanted to learn how to use my hands before I try using the machine.

Thanks for the links, I will start practiing right away! Thanks a million.

Machines are great, *if* you know what you're doing. Though it's best to learn to hand-sew first, I think, because some things are best sewn by hand. (i.e., paws and the like)

You're quite welcome, and happy sewing!