In this guide, you’re going to learn exactly how to make fursuit hand paws, step by step.
It's designed to be beginner-friendly and easily customizable to fit your own design preferences.
In fact, this tutorial helped me create multiple cute and uniquely styled fursuit paws:
So if you’re looking to get hand paws, this guide is for you.
It involves several steps, including pattern making, fabric cutting, sewing, making paw pads, stuffing, liner and cuff making, etc.
With that, here are the steps to create a fursuit hand paws in 2024:
- Step #1: Prepare Materials and Tools
- Step #2: Preparing Pattern
- Step #3: Cutting Pattern Pieces
- Step #4: Tracing Fur
- Step #5: Cutting Fur
- Step #6: Making Dart Finger Pieces
- Step #7: Assembling The Top Piece
- Step #8: Making Paw Pads
- Step #9: Assembling Palm Pieces
- Step #10: Stuffing Paw Pads
- Step #11: Assembling Hand Paws
- Step #12: Making Hand Paws Liner
- Step #13: Turning Hand Paws Right Side Out
- Step #14: Stuffing Hand Paws
- Step #15: Making Cuffs
Step #1: Prepare Materials and Tools
Materials needed
- Faux fur fabric with a 60mm long pile (1/2 yard)
- Short fur fabric(30mm)/faux rabbit fur for fingers
- Handpaw pattern
- Spandex/Lycra material for the liner
- Minky/Bias tape material for cuff
- Stuffing
- 2 Squeakers
- Minky or fleece fur for paw pads
Some things I use in this tutorial;
- Short fur fabric with a 30mm long pile for making fingers
- Spandex for the liner
- Bias tape for the cuff
- Minky for the paw pads
Tools required
- Marker
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine(Optional)
- Wonder Clips
- Sewing pins
- Pet slicker brush
- Needle and thread and lots of patience
- Basic sewing skill
- Lint Roller
Once you have all the above materials and tools, you're ready for step #2.
Step #2: Preparing Pattern
Okay, so you have the materials and tools to make the paws.
Now it's time to prepare the pattern.
Getting a fursuit hand paws pattern is important. If you don't have one yet, don't worry. I have a free pattern for beginners to download.
DownLoad Now: Fursuit Paw Pattern
Print out the pattern (I choose to draw it on cardstock myself).
If you need to use your pattern multiple times, you can laminate it or print it on cardstock (or trace it onto 3mm EVA)
Why?
Because it will make tracing easier and also extend the life of the pattern.
If you want to dive deeper into pattern-making, you can check out this tutorial.
Step #3: Cutting Pattern Pieces
First, we're going to cut out all the paper pieces, making sure you cut on the outside of the black line.
Next, cut out all the paw pad spaces. This will give you 4 fingers with paw pad pieces, 4 dart finger pieces, 1 palm piece, 1 top piece, and 10 paw pad pieces.
Remember to mark these pieces with numbers and fur directions. This will be of great help for the next work.
Grab your fur and pet slicker brush, and check the fur direction.
Why?
The fur direction is important for ensuring these patterns function properly.
Always brush the fur in the direction it naturally grows. Don't brush backward. Just like the arrows on the picture indicate.
Step #4: Tracing Fur
Alright, the next step is to trace the pattern onto the fur fabric.
I prefer tracing fingers on short fur, which can skip the shaving step.
Additionally, I also like to add arrows for which direction the fur needs to go.
Be sure to mark small lines on the finger pieces, as we will use these lines to align the paw pad pieces later.
Step #5: Cutting Fur
Once you're tracing all those pieces, it's time for cutting.
Aim to trim only the fur backing when cutting fur, avoiding cutting the actual fur fibers as much as possible.
As for the seams, I highly recommend that beginners leave a seam allowance of 5 to 6 mm. That's what I do, and it makes sewing much easier later on.
You can also mark the finger pieces with numbers to help you stitch them in the right spots.
Alright and here is a picture of all of the 16 fingers, 8 fingers with the pad, and 8 without.
Time for the top of paw piece and palm piece.
Adding a small 5-6mm seam allowance onto any cut parts.
Now on to the paw pad. I use minky for the paw pads. Be mindful of the pile direction and remember to add a seam allowance of 5-6mm.
I know fur fibers can be messy, and using mink fur will present this issue. So, I recommend having a lint roller handy.
Okay so we have cut out the finger pieces, the palms, and the top of paws, give it a quick brushing when you're done.
Step #6: Making Dart Finger Pieces
It's finally time for sewing.
Start by lining up the notches on the dart pieces, and secure them with wonder clips.
Hand sew them using a blanket stitch, as shown in the video below. Repeat this process for the remaining 7 dart pieces.
Step #7: Assembling The Top Piece
Alright, now you need to sew the dart pieces onto the top piece. Place them in the right spots according to their numbers.
Lining up each endpoint according to the picture and secure them with your wonder clips. This will keep the fur fabric in place and simplify the sewing process.
Using blanket stitch to sew along all finger seams removing the clips as you go.
Step #8: Making Paw Pads
Take the main paw pad piece that you previously cut out.
Lay it face down, paying attention to the direction of the pile.
Place the palm piece on top and secure them together with pins.
Try to keep the paw pad flat and smooth.
Use the back stitch sewing skill with matching thread. Follow the marked guidelines. The video below demonstrates this.
As you sew, remove pins if they get in your way.
Now, you can do the same for the other paw and all eight toe beans. Here's what it should look like.
Step #9: Assembling Palm Pieces
Alright, so what you're going to do is you're going to take the fingers with pads onto the palm piece.
As in step 7, align the endpoints according to the picture. Then, use wonder clips to secure the middle. Make sure they stay in the right spots while sewing.
Use the blanket stitch again.
Then, make a small slit in the center of each paw pad outline on your palm piece.
Be careful not to cut into the actual paw pad.
Step #10: Stuffing Paw Pads
It's time to stuff the holes we made.
Open each slit and fill it with stuffing to your liking.
Find a balance between too much and too little stuffing. Too much will make the seams wrinkly. Too little will make the paw pads loose.
To make the paw more fun, I put a squeaker inside the main paw pad.
Once filled, close the slit with a simple stitch, like a whip stitch.
Repeat these steps to sew all the paw pads.
Step #11: Assembling Hand Paws
The palms and the tops are done now, let's assemble them. Since our paw is symmetrical, align the edges on both ends and secure them with clips. Then you can start sewing.
I prefer to use a blanket stitch to assemble these parts. It makes the paw more durable. It also prevents it from getting messy during the turning step.
If you have a sewing machine, I strongly recommend using it at this stage.
As you sew, tuck the fur into the seam. If there are any stray fur, you can quickly trim them with scissors.
Tips:
- You can use a whip stitch to secure the two pieces together at the points shown in the picture. This helps prevent shifting.
- Sew slowly, making sure to catch both sides of the fabric.
- If you are unfamiliar with sewing, use as many clips as possible. The more clips you use, the more secure the fabric will be, and won't slip as much during sewing.
Step #12: Making Hand Paws Liner
The next step is to make our hand paw liner. Spandex and lycra are good options.
Here I’m using a spandex.
Fold the fabric in half and trace out two liners.
Instead of cutting out the liners directly, I prefer to sew around the traced outline first. Before sewing, pin the liners to keep the fabric from slipping. It doesn't need to be perfect since it will be inside the paw.
Use a running stitch, making sure not to sew the bottom part where your hand goes in.
After sewing, trim around the outside of the stitched outline with scissors.
Next, you need to secure the liner to the hand paw with clips, as shown in the picture.
Then, the hand sews the sides of the liner and each finger to make it more secure.
Step #13: Turning Hand Paws Right Side Out
After completing the above steps, it’s time to turn them right side out.
You may need to use a marker or a small stick to push out the fingers.
Avoid using any sharp tools for this step, as they might rip the seams.
Here's a tip:
You can push each finger into the palm area, then turn the entire palm area inside out.
It may look messy, so quickly brush away any loose fur with a pet brush and clean it up.
Step #14: Stuffing Hand Paws
Once you've successfully turned them right side out, it's time to stuff the paws.
Basically, you just need to put the stuffing in between the lining and the actual paw.
When stuffing the paws, you don't need a lot of poly-fill.
From my experience, it's good to have a bit more stuffing in the fingers and less in the palm and back of the hand. The key is to maintain its shape.
If it's stuffed too tightly, your hand won't be very flexible. As you stuff them, try them on to ensure the fit. Don't stuff the paws too tightly.
Step #15: Making Cuffs
Now for the final step.
Make a cuff to cover the raw edge of the opening.
I'm using bias tape in this guide, but you can also use minky, fleece, or similar fabric.
Next, please measure the length of the bottom of the lining and double it to find the length of the cuff.
It's okay if it's a bit longer. We can always trim it later, but it'll be troublesome if it's too short.
Follow the demonstration in the picture to make a ring with the cuff and then clip it in place.
This will give you a nice clean edge.
Use a running stitch to sew the entire opening, removing the clips as you go.
The size of the cuff depends on your preference.
Once the cuff is secured, all that's left is trimming.
Cut off the excess thread and fabric.
And there you have it, enjoy your new fursuit hand paws!
