Picking up Gibbs

Ever since I was 14 and found myself diving deeper into the furry community one thing I have always wanted, and hoped I'd own at some point, was a suit of my own. Now, at 22, that dream became reality... sure it took 8 years, but it still happened.

While now being a furry isn't a huge part of my life, as my interests lay more in the sci-fi community, (more specifically Doctor Who and Stargate), I still can't help but feel giddy and childlike while prancing around as a blue fox. Original I know!

This year has been a lot of firsts for me, especially in the furry space. First furry convention (Furry Weekend Atlanta), first fursuit and also first time sewing a piece of clothing... which just so happens to be said fursuit as well. Ever since that first convention, I have also tried... tried to be more outgoing, but I have always been more of the quiet type so that's not been working out to well.

I picked up Gibbs on the second day of FWA (May 8th), and it was a sort of... spur of the moment purchase. Wandering around the Vendor Hall I saw a lot of stunning partials, sunset deer, space dogs, fruit protogen... but something about Gibbs... felt right. It also didn't help that he's my favorite color, and the same color I have painted multiple bedrooms in.

Going up to the maker's table (PawPunchProduction) I was, extremely nervous. This was not only going to be the largest amount of money I had ever spent on something, but also, again, something I have wanted since I was 14. I hope I didn't come off as too... weird... when I got him.

As soon as the purchase went through I rushed back to my hotel room and put him on, and it was the most, euphoric thing ever... the only thing I could think of coming close would be to finally transition. But it was the sweetest feeling ever.

Since getting him I knew I wanted a body, only problem, makers like duct tape dummies... and I don't have anyone willing to wrap me up like a mummy. A lot of makers also don't to just bodies unless it's for a suit they have already made. Fair enough, I'd have to make it myself.

Now, I have some, experience with sewing... but I've never made a piece of clothing! Usually only mended, or added things like zippers and pockets... so this was going to be... a journey. While Gibbs's body is now fully sewn I am still working on some modifications to help it fit better, mainly installing gussets under the armpits to help with movement and shirring to help just with the overall shape of the suit.

I'm going to write another post at some point once it's finished, but that's going to take some time... for both finishing the suit and writing the post itself. Hang tight, but in the meantime, a lot of the steps I followed came from Matrices's "Making a Fursuit Body" post, so read up on that!