Simple Handpaw Pattern and Tutorial

Want a set of 5-digit paws for your critter? This pattern and tutorial could help! This tutorial shows you how to make a simple set of handpaws based on a pattern, featuring five cute stubby digits. 

Materials:

    • The printed pattern, plus one additional piece of paper
   • Tape
   • About a half-yard of faux fur
   • Paw pad fabric, such as vinyl or fleece
   • Pencil or chalk
   • Scissors
   • Extendable snap-off razor knife
   • Clips and/or pins
   • Sewing Machine & thread that matches your fur
   • Thread that matches your paw pad color
   • Comb or slicker brush

Optional

    • Stuffing
   • Hemostat or tweezers (to stuff with)
   • Tiny scissors for cleanup
   • Measuring tape or string

Preparing the Pattern

Print out the pattern according to your region’s common paper size, 2 sizes have been made available: Letter size which prints on 8.5” x 11” paper or A4 size which prints on 210mm x 297mm paper.

Before cutting anything out, make sure your hand will fit. You may need to enlarge the pattern. You want enough room for the pattern to wrap up the side of your fingers to create the 3-dimensional shape (2 fingers-width is a very good analogue for this). Same with the space where your hand fits into the wrist. 

Use a razor knife or scissors to cut the pattern out from the paper. Also cut out and remove the paw pad shapes, having them as a hole in the pattern will make it easier to trace them.

Take the extra piece of paper and fold it over so it is as wide as the wrist. Tape it in place.

Decide how long you want your paw to extend up your arm. I recommend at least to mid-forearm so there is enough coverage to tuck into a sleeve. You can make it longer or shorter depending on the amount of fur you have.

Tip: If you wish to make the pattern arm-length, measure your arm with a string or a measuring tape and make the pattern taper, based on that measurement, to accommodate your forearm or upper arm if you go that high!

Cutting Out the Fabric

Trace your pattern onto the backing of the faux fur, paying special attention to the direction the fur is going. It is very important to be sure to use something that will not bleed or stain the fur when tracing out your patterns. 

Using a razor blade makes it very easy to cut out your pattern from the backing without cutting the fur’s pile. 

To remain accurate to the pattern. Cut out your fabric exactly on or just inside the line. 

If this is your first time cutting out a sewing pattern, to easily make sure you did it correctly, match it back up with your pattern! This is especially useful if you have decided to sew in color breaks or markings to this pattern. 

If you have pieces that are larger than your pattern be sure to trim them off so it matches. If there is anything smaller than your pattern, you might still be ok! You will need to pay special attention to sewing that area since the seam allowance will be narrower.

Appliqué

There is a detailed step-by-step explanation of the appliqué process in this tutorial:
http://pupdates.matrices.net/post/171419824483/ 

The following will show the basic steps. 

Start with your cut palm pattern, do not separate the fingers yet, it will be easier to tack everything down and create the appliqué decoration. 

Sew through all the layers following the traced paw pad outlines with a straight stitch to baste the fabric into the paw pad shape. Use thread that matches your paw pad fabric’s color. Trim any stray threads.

Use scissors to carefully free your paw pads from the rest of the excess material – or if you are using vinyl you can use a razor knife to trim it away. Zigzag-stitch around the raw trimmed edges to finish your paw pads with a nicely embroidered edge. Zigzag-stitch the palm pad except for the opening marked on the pattern.

Stuff your palm pad.

Sew the remaining gap closed with the same zigzag-stitch that you finished the rest of the paw pads with.

Assembling the Paws

Pin or clip the front and the back of the paw together. If you are using a sewing machine, do not separate the fingers yet. If you are hand sewing this pattern together you can now separate them at this time.

Note:  The finished paw will have relatively stubby fingers, for a cute paw-like look. If you need longer more finger-like fingers you can make your finger separations deeper than the ones marked on the pattern. This can be edited, even after the paws are finished, by re-sewing that area to be deeper and closer to the palm pad. 

Sew the whole paw with a straight stitch including the bottom of the finger separations as marked on the pattern. Leave a little bit of space between to be able to cut the fingers apart. Take it slow and keep your stitch lines evenly spaced apart.

Use a razor knife to carefully cut between the stitch lines between the fingers on the back and then on the front side of the paw. 

If you are careful and do it one side at a time, you can separate the fingers without cutting the fur’s pile.

Take a moment to check over the paw front and back to make sure everything is sewn down securely. 

Work the handpaws right sides out. Inevitably there may be a bit of fur that will be stuck in the seams and require combing out. You can also use a slicker brush to free the fur trapped in the seams. Inspect your seam work and make sure everything looks good! If not, turn it inside out again and fix it up. 

For a finishing touch you can run a zigzag stitch around the interior seam after brushing out the fur from the seams, and trim any excess. It makes a very clean-looking interior. Other finishing touches you can add to your project could also be Bias Tape around the cuff edges to prevent it from stretching out over time & use. 

With that your paws are now completed! Paws are a great addition to any critter costume to make them more creature-like! 

Have fun with making and wearing your handpaws!!