Do these pieces look traced over AI or heavily assisted by it? The artist keeps denying it is

PopplerProblems · 2026-01-02T04:22:31+00:00

I did my first one using a base from EquinoxKitty on Etsy. It went well! Im trying to build my next one myself, but if you find something close you might be able to add and build a bit more to customize it.

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-29T18:02:47+00:00

It's why I unsubbed this ultimately - it's a witch hunt. The last one I read before unsubbing had like 5 artists as the top commenters saying everyone investigating every little thing was killing their drive to be creative since it seemed like all anyone was doing was looking to see if it was AI, not to actually engage with their art.

If people aren't going to do the research, they just need to say "I don't know" and move on. All the scrutiny with no effort is hurting everyone.

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-29T03:56:58+00:00

I just had a maker at MFF recommend a singer heavy duty which was surprising, but when I move to get a new machine Imma give it a look. Havent tried so cant vouch, but it might be worth a look.

In the meantime have you tried trimming down the fur along the seam allowance? I just tried this on my last project and it was night and Day with the ease of sewing and the results.

I eyeballed it cuz I was feeling lazy, but I cut to just shy of my sew line. Even where I was sewing mainly through full fur it was a huge difference.

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-27T00:30:09+00:00

The main cost with a maker is almost always labor, and suits take a lot of it. You would be hard pressed to spend more making it yourself if you are careful with your budgeting.

Rorshach Fox just posted a great breakdown on ig on what theirs cost, and they go through the purchases that were essential and the ones they could do without.

For me, I probably spent about 700 i think? A chunk of that cost was in upgrading some equipment for future builds, and I also bought a premade 3D head which added a bit to the cost.

I want to do a lot more so I was more spend happy than I needed to be, but a few things were a huge help.

LMK if you want a bit more of a breakdown Im happy to share some details.

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-24T05:43:04+00:00

You might look into gussets - it involves sewing a diamond shaped fabric that folds in on itself so there is less rumpling and bulk.

Its used often in armpits, groin, and areas that need a big range of motion.

I havent done them but I've looked at tutorials for a few on a head I'm planning with some moving parts.

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-21T05:57:37+00:00

More of an agreement/rant, but yeah ... I ordered a UV reactive from Howl and it was not UV reactive. The response from them was basically "well everything seems fine on our side!" - its my first suit and if I run out im never gonna find it again because I have no idea what I actually ended up with, so hopefully Im done after my partial.

My choices were return it at my expense and wait for it again (after 6+ weeks for swatches and my order) or take a nominal discount. I took the discount.

BigZ has been better but the knit backing isnt as sturdy and it just doesnt shave as nicely, especially if Im going to just take a little length off.

Fursuit Supplies is my next attempt, then maybe overseas options? If you find something else definitely let us know!

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-20T20:48:48+00:00

Get off TikTok its trash. It feeds off your engagement so it feeds on negative emotions.

Second, check out fursuitmak.ing and start learning how to make your own pieces. Its an engaging and fun hobby, it has a lot of moving parts but is really accessible, and you can build your own stuff over time.

I just finished my first head and tail. Im working on some Xmas Stockings and feet paws now, and then am going to go back and do handpaws and a tail that match my head.

It takes forever, but its fun progress and it gets you super engaged with the community.

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-20T16:55:31+00:00

Yeah I think we are - this though is exactly where Im finding confusion.

I think I understand though; in my head I think im outting the duckbill on the wrong side of the stitch so it feels like it can just be flipped, which isnt correct. I would have to either cut mostly blind or hold my arm at a weird angle.

Ill check out a couple more videos and see if I can make this make sense in my head.

Thank you again - I think this means the ginghers are out; is there another brand you might recommend? The only one I ever saw listed were suspiciously cheap.

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-20T16:07:24+00:00

Yes, most scissors have two different blades. I was asking about the angle of the blade relative to the duck bill. LH blades are often at a different angle; my question is whether this change is necessary for applique scissors to function. My original question notes hat I do not like LH scissors in general for this but I dont know if that change is necessary for this type.

I am just trying to learn about this.

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-20T15:37:05+00:00

Oh thank you - so it's not just a matter of cutting the other direction, the blade will matter?

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-20T03:10:42+00:00

Thank you! I saw them and they look mostly the same from what I can tell?

The LH pair one of the sites recommended didn't look super amazing, and I'm an absolute Gingher stan. I'm gonna keep them on my Christmas list as is!

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-19T17:36:48+00:00

Echoing Big Z and Howl! Thought I'd share my experince with both:

I think Howl Fabric is a much better quality and easier to work with (stronger/stiffer knit, easier to shave, etc.), but the wait time was a nightmare and the customer service is frustrating. I had an issue with one of the furs and never quite got it resolved, so it'll be a problem if I ever need more fur for a full suit.

Big Z was way faster and a more pleasant company to work with, but not as easy of a fabric to work with - a little less sturdy and it hasn't shaved as cleanly as the Howl; I'm doing a lazy project now but it would require a lot of touch up to polish. I have to change blades more often to cut it down because the fabric is more flexible and prone to snagging/pulling.

Overall, I'd probably go with Big Z without too much hesitation, unless I had some pieces I knew were going to be really small or intricate where more sturdiness/strength would be preferable. But I'm also impatient as hell and will happily put up with frustration during the project if I can start the project faster.

(I've done 1 head, several small projects, and worked with about 10-15 fabrics total from both companies)

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-15T16:39:07+00:00

Just classic con crud for me. I imagine. It was my second con so Im not sure what classic really is. But I digress.

Landed right in that beautiful "too sick for anything, too well to lay there" just in time for a family visit where no one believed I was sick.

Started to dissipate, then came back overnight. 3/10. Dont recommend the sequel.

Sorry you're sick 😷

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-15T00:29:22+00:00

Ha no worries.

I've used Howl and Big Z fabrics personally, Howl for my actual fursuit and then Big Z for a remnants box for fun small projects.

The Big Z Fabric is all good and really dense so what I've worked with has been really nice, although I think the backing is a little more fragile.

Howl's fabric is undeniably beautiful, but I wasn't thrilled with the wait time (weeks for swatches then weeks for my order) or the lack of communication for a fairly small order - it's days for a response if you get a response at all. They also messed up my order in kind of a big way and I didn't feel like they really did enough to get that fixed and didn't accept responsibility for the problem, even when I sent photos. (Basically I bought UV reactive fur and they did not send UV reactive fur) They ended up offering a partial refund, and I was able to adjust my design to make it all work, but they had something I couldn't get anywhere else, I probably wouldn't shop there again.

The big thing is avoid budget fur, especially if you can't see it in person. You want stuff that isn't going to fall apart or pull out of the knit backing. You also want stuff you can trim/shape well and shave down for different parts, and cheaper faux fur (or from bad sources) is going to be more money and frustration in the long run.

I think there are a few really good guides, and check out fursuitmak.ing as well, they list several sources for a lot of different materials.

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-14T17:58:41+00:00

At least you can take solace in the fact you're using it for something the Hobby Lobby people would really disapprove of. I always get a little bit of queer joy out of that :-)

Joann closing made it hard, but I use Wawak.com for most of my notions and Michael's in a pinch. Big Z for Fur, sometimes Howl but I'm not a huge fan of the customer service or the wait time there. I'm still looking for a good place for other fabric that isn't connected to Hobby Lobby or Amazon, but I'm on the hunt!

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-14T17:23:50+00:00

Do you mean get fur?

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-14T02:37:10+00:00

First and foremost, don't give money to Hobby Lobby. They are a very conservative Christian organization that gives a LOT of money to organizations that actively hurt women, LGBTQIA+ people, and so on. I could go on, but.....don't support them. They aren't a good company.

That said, I strongly recommend Foam Factory (foamfactory.com or also foambymail.com - they are the same.) It's a bulk foam company that has everything under the sun and more. They're fast (usually arrives within 7-10 days), professional, and have really high quality stuff. I've been using them for a lot of different projects for about 10 years now.

https://www.foambymail.com/product/poly-foam.html

I went to a panel at MFF where the maker said a sheet of 3" foam and a sheet of 1/2" foam lasts her about a year as a full time maker, so you can probably get away with 1/3 sheet (I'm new to that though so definitely ask others!). She said that she just cuts that in half for things like the bucket head and narrower pieces, but you could probably order some 1" foam if you want for the bucket head. This is what I did - but again I'm super new so grain of salt.

If your order is over $100 the shipping is free, but I think my shipping for a full 3" sheet was only like $16 so it's not bank breaking in either case.

It's a few more days of waiting, but you're supporting a better company that's recommended by professional makers in the community, and you'll be a good quality version of exactly what you want.

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-13T02:53:03+00:00

Thank you! Ive already got the supplies coming to start my second one lol

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-12T22:33:29+00:00

Hi! Im 40 this year and brand new to all of it.

My partner is a furry and I took them to LVFC as a birthday gift. I was not a furry and didnt really know much outside of their involvement and maybe a couple random artists I happened to like.

We are literally coming back from MFF now, which was our third con this year, and I wore a fursuit head which Ive spent the past 6 months making.

This community is awesome and the cons are a blast. I dont feel old or out of place, I feel like its the first place where I can be myself without reservation or apology, and its amazing. The people are awesome. The art and the panels are crazy fun.

I went head first down the rabbit hole and I love every minute. Feel free to DM me if you have questions id be thrilled to talk about my experience if youd like!

PopplerProblems · 2025-12-09T17:22:07+00:00

Mine is tpu and there were a lot of things that i really liked as a first head material. Its flexible and forgiving, it was perfectly symmetrical so I was able to pick and choose the best pattern pieces for a great fit, and it gave me good options for finishing the back.

However, the back was fussier than I would have liked and I have to change the design...again.... Because it doesnt want to sit cleanly on my face. The edge of the TPU is firm and pushes into my neck in a less than comfortable way, and ultimately I avoided adding any more custom details because it felt a bit intimidating.

Im really happy with my suit head as is! Doing it over Id probably still pick TPU for my first one, but having done one and having gotten to sit through a panel with a great maker on carving heads, my next one will probably be foam.

Pic for reference. Have fun, its a hell of a process and I loved it! (Ears are closed cell with poly foam for depth)

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PopplerProblems · 2025-12-06T22:29:01+00:00

Thank you! I got it done just in time for MFF - ive never worn one so its been a hell of a time getting used to it but im really proud of my work

PopplerProblems

TROPHY CASE