Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Go to Page: 1 of 1

Ideas for a squirrel tail? I'm making a costume for a school play.
sj3663   Beginner Member since 12/2/09 Posts: 35	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/22/12 10:17 PM Trying to keep it simple...making headband ears and a tail for a 7 year old to wear with a brown sweatsuit (velour) for a school production. I'll also cut out a light colored "belly" to fix over the front (may just try to safety pin so the sweatsuit isn't ruined). I haven't come up with a great idea for the tail, though. I have fur and stuffing...but how am I going to keep the tail up? Has anyone solved a similar problem with a costume? Oh, that she could've been a bunny. Oh, well. Fun challenge, right?
simplystitches Intermediate NY USA Member since 2/12/06 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/22/12 10:39 PM Use a heavy wire. When you sew the seam allowances make them wide enough that you can stitch the sa and within the sa make a casing for the wire. Cut a long tube with a rounded end and the wire can run along both sides and around the end. Most hardware and big box stores sell plastic coated electrical wire by the foot. It's surprisingly stiff wire. If you have any stiffer wire that will hold a good shape use that instead. Debbie
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6990	Login to reply to this post In reply to sj3663 << 1 member likes this. Date: 10/23/12 0:27 AM Quote: Has anyone solved a similar problem with a costume? Yup. Years ago I made DS a black widow spider costume. Now this was waaaaay before there was a pattern; late 1970's. I made him a black jumpsuit, and stitched black socks with batting inside to the side seams. At the toe ends of the socks, I hand sewed 20 lb test fishing line (DH used to fish for sharks) between each toe end, and stitched the end onto DS's sleeve. I'd suggest you fill the tail, as usual, then hand stitch a length (maybe about 18") of fishing line to the tail end, and then stitch the other end of the fishing line to the CB seam. That way, the tail will move as the wearer moves (much like DS's "feet" moved when he'd run across a yard) ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
tinflutterby   Advanced CA USA Member since 8/9/11 Posts: 205	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/23/12 0:32 AM With regards to the belly there is glue you can paint on to make a self sticking applique that is removable(great for unwashable appliques too) Used it when my kids were small for exactly this kind of situation.
BeeBeeSew Advanced Beginner MD USA Member since 12/13/07 Posts: 825	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/23/12 7:58 AM You may want to tie the end of the tale to the child's back (of the sweat shirt) as well. I'd probably use fishing line or similar - it won't show from the stage and will help keep it standing up and won't let his pants fall down (I hear that's a bad thing to happen to small children in front of classmates ;-) ) The wire inside will give it the shape but placing a stiff but unsupported item on the back of pants is just asking for trouble.
PattyE   Intermediate MI Member since 9/7/10 Posts: 650	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 10/23/12 8:59 AM Maybe you could use a coat hanger...just bend it to the shape you need.
JKimes   Expert/Couture TX USA Member since 11/4/05 Posts: 387	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/23/12 12:00 PM I would use fishing line to attach the top of the tail to the back of the costume. I don't think there's anything strong enough to hold it up otherwise, and squirrels often sit with their tail touching their back. ------ Juliette near Austin, TX Bernina 830LE Bernina 350PE Babylock Evolution ElnaPro 905DCX
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2468	Login to reply to this post In reply to sj3663 << 3 members like this. Date: 10/23/12 1:11 PM Quote: sj3663 I haven't come up with a great idea for the tail, though. I have fur and stuffing...but how am I going to keep the tail up? Have you ever seen a squirrel tail up close? It's actually not the plump, solid thing we imagine (and see in stuffed animals)--it's a very thin whiplike tail with LOTS OF FLUFF. All that bulk in a squirrel tail? It's just fur. Here's a great photo (of a whole squirrel, thankfully!). So I'm wondering if it might be easier to come up with something thin, lightweight, and fluffy--than trying to work with getting a heavy stuffed faux fur tube to stay in place. Maybe affixing thick flexible wire to a couple maribou boas? (Here are some on ebay.) Or short fluffy lengths of yarn sewn to a strip of backing fabric that will flare out when wrapped around padded wire? Something. Alternately, if you want to continue with your current plan, this blogger has a great tutorial. Have fun! -- Edited on 10/23/12 1:21 PM -- ------ ~Gem in the prairie
sj3663   Beginner Member since 12/2/09 Posts: 35	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/23/12 9:22 PM Thanks, everyone, for your time and input. I think that fishing line is the way to go! Hopefully it's that simple...will definitely try this out in advance. Stirwatersblue, I definitely see the potential in your suggestion...if I didn't feel like I should use this fur I already have, I would go that route!

Go to Page: 1 of 1

Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Printable Version

* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.