Theo Hand Paws

These paws are cute, colorful, and comfortable, and a great base for any fursuit handpaw. These use a single color for for the main body, and a different color for the paw pads and claws.

For this project, basic knowledge of hand sewing or sewing machine usage is needed. While it is possible to hand sew everything, it will take more time.

Credits for the pattern and original construction goes to @RunnerRabbit on YouTube.

Materials (makes two paws):

1. Approx. 1/4 yard faux fur (main color)
2. 25cm x 50cm paw pad fabric (shaved faux fur, minky, or felt)
3. 25cm x 50cm claw fabric (minky)
4. 2 34cm x 5cm cuff fabric (optional)
5. 1/2in thick Upholstery Foam
6. Polyfill stuffing

Equipment used:

1. Sewing needle
2. Thread
3. Scissors
4. Seam Ripper
5. Pins
6. Fabric marker
7. Printer
8. Sewing machine (optional)
9. Pet shaver (optional)

Access the pattern PDF at the description of @RunnerRabbit.

First, print out the palm pattern to see if it needs to be resized. Make sure that the margins are a more or less consistent 1-2.5cm wide. If the size needs to be changed, resize it in an image editing software.

Print the patterns and cut them out, making sure that the paw pads on the paw are cut from the final piece.

Fold the claw fabric in half (pre-shave the fabric if using minky), ensuring the outside side is on the inside of the fold. Pin the fabric together, and trace out eight claw patterns onto the backing using the printed pattern.

Using a sewing machine/hand sewing, follow the outlines of the claws and sew each one together with a straight stitch, making sure to leave the bottom side unsewn, as that is where the stuffing will go in. After sewing, cut each piece out following the outlines, leaving a very small margin.

Turn each claw piece inside out, and stuff it with stuffing. Try to even out the amount of stuffing in each claw for a cleaner overall look. After stuffing, use a straight stitch to sew each opening closed. In the end, there should be eight individual claws stuffed with stuffing.

Draft inner and outer finger patterns onto the shaved main fur fabric. Make two normal outer, two normal inner, two flipper outer, and two flipper inner fingers. Keep in mind the fur direction as you pattern. Label them accordingly and cut them out.

With the cut fingers and finished claws, assemble the eight fingers. Position the claws with the cut darts on the fingers as shown, then turn it inside out and pin them together. Using a straight or zigzag stitch, sew the claw and finger piece together. In the end, there should be eight finger + claw pieces.

Draft two top hand parts onto the main fur fabric, making sure to also mark the finger gaps along the top. Keep in mind the fur direction as you pattern. It is recommended to leave this unshaven or shaved a little closer to the fingers to have a smooth gradient of fur. Cut them out.

With the flat part at the bottom, from left to right, position the finished inside out finger pieces in the order of:

1. normal outer finger
2. normal inner finger
3. flipped inner finger
4. flipped outer finger

Then, pin each finger to the top part, making sure that each finger starts and ends at the markings. Using a straight/zigzag stitch, sew the fingers to the top part of the hand. Repeat this step for the other hand.

Draft two palm parts onto slightly shaved main fur fabric. Make sure to also draft the outlines for the paw pads. Keep in mind the fur direction as you pattern. After, cut the palm parts out, making sure to leave the paw pad outlines untouched.

Draft two wrist parts onto the unshaved main fur fabric. Line each one up with its corresponding palm part, pin them, and use a straight stitch to sew them together.

Put the paw pad fabric (I used closely shaved faux fur in a different color) onto the palm pieces and pin them together. Ensure that the outside part of the paw pad fabric is also on the outside of the palm. Use a straight stitch or hand sew the paw pad outlines on the paw pieces.

After the paw pads have been sewn onto the palm, carefully cut the excess fabric off. You should have a completed bottom-hand piece. Repeat this step for the other hand.

Face the outside of the top hand and bottom hands to each other, lining them up, and pining them together. It is easiest to line them up and to take this step one finger at a time. Using a straight/zigzag stitch, sew the outer edges of the bottom and top parts of the hand together, making sure to leave the bottom edge unsewn.

Check the edges to make sure that there are no small holes. Using scissors or a shaver, shave any excess fur or thread on the inside. Repeat this step for the other hand.

Draft eight inner padding patterns onto the upholstery foam. Cut them out. Place each inner padding into each finger close to the top part. When worn, these should act like "nails" to give the fingers more structure.

Take your strip of cuff fabric and lay it face down on the wrist. Wrap it around the wrist of the hand paw, with its bottom seam aligned with the bottom seam of the paw. When wrapping, fold one of the raw edges inward to hide the raw edge. Once everything is in place, pin it together as shown.

Using a straight stitch, sew the cuff fabric and paw fabric from the inside of the paw, keeping a consistent 1-3cm gap between the stitch and the edge of the wrist. A bigger gap would mean a bigger cuff width.

After, fold the excess cuff fabric inwards, forming the cuff itself. Following the outside seam between the cuff and the fur, use a straight stitch to sew the inner cuff lining to the outside. The shape of the cuff should be formed, and there should be some excess cuff fabric left. Cut the excess fur fabric off.

Using scissors or a shaver, trim the outside of the hand. Try to smooth out any rough-looking patches of fur. It is recommended to have the fingers and palm more closely shaven than the top part and wrist. For the claws, try to shave these as close as possible so they have a "sharper" look.

And you're done!