Rocky’s Got Back!

One of the items I wanted to improve on Rocky was the shape of the fursuit body. It was a very simple “onesie” design, which was mostly ok in still photos but did not move well in action, just way too baggie. I’ve been meaning to revisit this and give him a better silhouette.

"Kill Moose & Squirrel!"
Rocky and Bullwinkle, joined by Natasha Fatale, in the lobby after appearing on stage — “Kill Moose & Squirrel!” Rocky and Bullwinkle, joined by Natasha Fatale, in the lobby after appearing on stage

Giving Rocky a waistline

The first step was just to change the shape of the suit itself. The body was essentially a cylinder, so I measured my waist, added a bit for ease (and rigging/padding underneath), and reshaped the suit. First I marked and hand-tacked the new shape into the side seams, reversed the suit and combed out the pile, then tried it on for effect. Once I was satisfied (I got it right the first time, hurrah!), I marked the new seamlines, cut away the fur (from the back) with an XActo knife, and re-stitched the new seams with the same over-the-edge assembly technique I used all through the suit.
The change is subtle, but even without adding padding the fit and drape were already improved.

After making some measurements, I needed to take 6 inches out of the waist. Here I have hand-tacked the new curves into the sides to check the fit

Simple backstitching so I could brush out the reverse and check the fit before continuing

Cutting through the backing on the marked line

Cutting through the fur back on the other seam

after cutting both pieces on this side. You can see the pile has survived

Tuck the pile in carefully and clip the bejeezus out of the edges

Closeup -- the same zigzag over the raw edge technique I used all through this project — Closeup — the same zigzag over the raw edge technique I used all through this project

After combing out the fur -- voila! — After combing out the fur — voila!

Rocky's new, subtly shaped waistline! — Rocky’s new, subtly shaped waistline!

Building the furniture

(AKA adding padding to give Rocky a better shape.)

I did not want to build an elaborate padded suit for Rocky, just add enough to continue shifting the silhouette away from baggy onesie on relatively skinny human. I decided to take advantage of the waist belt that was already part of the interior tail rigging, and just hang a little bit of cushioning from that. For each side I cut a NuFoam shape that should, under the fursuit, create a little bit of butt on either side of the tail and bulk out the upper leg a little bit. After cutting and laminating the basic pads, I covered them in (old) spandex I had aging in a box for comfort’s sake, and added belt loops and a bottom leg loop to each.

Basic pads cut out. The top part will fill out the rear just below the table, and the folded over part will pad out the thighs

The folded over part is held together thanks to a quick spritz of Super77 spray adhesive

Cutting cover pieces out of some really old slightly stretch knit.

The pads, covered so I won't be dealing with raw NuFoam against me or the suit — The pads, covered so I won’t be dealing with raw NuFoam against me or the suit

You can see the folded over part here. This will be against my leg, with the smoother side out.

Note the "precision" hand stitching at the bottom holding the cover shut ;-) — Note the “precision” hand stitching at the bottom holding the cover shut 😉

SImple loops of twill tape to hang the pads from the rigging belt.

Loops hand-stitched onto the inner top edge

I used loops of tape so it is not relying on the spandex for strength

a loose loop of elastic to go around my leg and help the pads not shift

Here’s what all the interior rigging looks like. Pardon the squint, it was a bright but chilly winter morning. (These are the “best” of some 41 shots Andy grabbed)

Showing how the pads hang from the tail-rigging waist belt

It's only a little padding, but will create big effects — It’s only a little padding, but will create big effects

Here's a good side shot — Here’s a good side shot

You can see the grey zipper where the tail attaches

So this will add a bit of butt and thigh centered around the tail attachement

The other side. The rear edges of the padding will get pulled in by the fursuit over them.

Rocky’s in Great Shape Now!

The end result is everything I hoped for from such a simple modification (and only about 4 hours work!).

Rocky’s silhouette is no longer baggy, and the extra padding further breaks the impression of a onesie on a skinny human (even with sneakers instead of his feet). As an unexpected benefit, the silhouette change results in him having a more heroic chest as well, which I’m sure he’s as happy about as I am 🙂

Even better, I got all this done well in time for Further Confusion 2025, so he’ll probably be in the Fursuit Parade!