Where do we get our stuff?
We often get asked where we get our fur, our foam or other materials, so we compiled an extensive (but by no means exhaustive) list of sources for materials and tools. (These are not endorsements and don't get paid by any of these companies etc). Also these suppliers are not listed in any particular order.
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Quick links:
FOAM
FAUX FUR
MINKY
FLEECE
FURSUIT HEAD BASES & PARTS
MISCELLANEOUS
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Sewing Machines
The industrial machine was bought second hand, and the newer Singer Overlocker from spotlight (on sale of course), I bought all the other sewing machines at Hobby Sew when they were on sale. It pays to shop around so you can get the best available price (I saved up to 30% on RRP by buying on sale)
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Sewing machine - Brother Innovis NV610
This machine was also bought in 2015 for about $1k (rrp $AU1.5k). It is a real all-rounder computerised sewing machine with several stitch options and features. It handles a wide variety of fabrics really well, including some more difficult to sew fabrics such as minky and lycra. I do sometimes struggle fitting larger items such as bodysuits through if they are particularly bulky. I went for a computerised sewing machine cuz I liked the extra features.
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Overlocker machine - Singer 14HD854 Overlocker
Purchased for about AU$480 (RRP $800) in 2021. Reccomended to me by the mechanic when I got my brother overlocker serviced and repaired, as its designed to handle thicker fabrics. I use this to finish and reinforce seams on many of my sewing projects including fursuits and apparel.
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Back-up Overlocker machine - BROTHER 3034D
Purchased for about AU$500 (RRP $700?) in 2015. It is a pretty basic overlocker - nothing fancy - it is all threaded manually, but it is nice and straightforward to do so with step by step instructions on the machine itself to direct you. I use this to finish and reinforce seams on many of my sewing projects including fursuits and apparel. This has now been relegated to a backup overlocker as it does struggle with some of the thicker seams.
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Embroidery machine - JANOME memory craft 500e
We bought this machine for about AU$2.7k, however the usual rrp for it is AU$3.5k. It is quite a nice embroidery machine with a 20x28cm/7.9x11" embroidery area. The main reason for getting this was to do larger embroidered pieces such as faces for my hoodies and kigus.
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Industrial sewing machine
We bought it second hand for only a few hundred dollars. The reason we bought it was we wanted to be able to sew stuff even faster because we have been starting to feel like our current sewing machine is a bit slow. Industrial sewing machines also tend to have a bit more power for getting through thicker/bulkier seams. It's an absolute beast - it's slowest speed is the fastest sewing speed on our regular sewing machine, and it can handle multiple layers of fur and fleece with ease!!!
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Materials
Unless otherwise stated, most of these suppliers are based outside of Australia, which can make shipping fees quite hefty. Try and order in bulk if possible which does help bring down the overall costs (I usually order 10-20y of fur at a time)
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FOAM
FLEX FOAM: AKA RB Gray, located in Box Hill, Victoria. We get our foam in various thicknesses in large 2x1.5m sheets from Flex Foam. They do deliver small foam parcels Australia wide, but only deliver large bulky foam orders within Victoria. You can get a foam ladder of all the different grade foams they supply (We prefer to use a fairly firm green foam and a solid charcoal foam)
Clark Rubber: You can get cut to size pieces from Clark Rubber and they have shops located Australia-wide. This is great to start out with if you are only ordering in small amounts when you are getting started or just dipping your toes into fursuit making. They only have a limited range of foam grades, but its enough to get started. Some stores also sell off cuts and large bags of off-cuts fairly cheaply.
Dyman Foams: Located in Brisbane, Queensland. They stock a wide variety of foam grades.
Roche Foam: Located in Kilkenny, South Australia. They stock a wide variety of foam grades.
NOTE: If you google "upholstery foam" you may find local suppliers in your city/state. If you have any that you highly recommend please let us know as we would love to add it to our list!
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FAUX FUR
Howl fabrics: Great source for a wide range of unique colours in shag, teddy, bunny and fox furs. They are often done in limited runs, so make sure you buy enough for your project! They have their own mill so they are not overly affected by Shannon mill stopping faux fur production.
Big Z: Amazing quality fur, they have fast become my go to with their wide range of colours, with quick shipping at decent prices. Their eco-shag range is sourced from eco-friendly fur mills that aim to reduce waste and harmful chemicals to the environment.
Fabric Empire: Stocks a fairly standard range of shag and "mini shag" (3/4" pile) faux furs (as well as a small range of marine vinyl and minky fabrics)
Fursuit Supplies: Their selection varies with a few unique colour finds. I have had issues in the past with their customer service (incorrect supply of order, non-responsive to emails, often out of stock), so I generally only use them if I can't find the fur elsewhere.
Hairymann's Closet: Exclusive distributors of National Fiber Technology's overrun, clearance, and remnant fur fabrics. NFT furs are available in fiber lengths ranging from .25 inches up to 10-12 inches. This fur is great for doing hair pieces and accents. If you are after custom colour/length - contact NFT
National Fibre Technology (NFT): NFT furs are available in fiber lengths ranging from .25 inches up to 10-12 inches. This fur is great for doing hair pieces and accents. If you can't find what you are after at Hairymann's, NFT is where you can order a custom colour/length. As of 25/3/22 There is a minimum order of 8 square feet per custom style, and a set up charge of US$250 per style per order (subject to change)
Mendels: Good supply of a wide variety of furs. NOTE: Major stockist of Shannons furs - the mill is no longer producing Faux Fur, so range may eventually become more limited if they don't find another mill.
Mohair Bear Making Supplies: Huge, and I mean HUGE range of faux furs in a wide variety of colours, patterns, textures and lengths. Based in the UK
CRCraft: Good quality teddy and fox furs available. Shags typically in limited colours.
CanFUR: CanFur is a line of fabrics owned by the company Twilight Knights Cosplay in Canada. Site is still somewhat under construction, currently stocking limited runs of unique colours. PLEASE NOTE! If you have smell sensory sensitivities they use a Febreeze diffuser in their storerooms (is this also used to cover up another smell?)
Furaddiction: Some really unique fur colours available. Some of these furs can have a very thick pile, so may not breathe as eaily as the looser pile shags if its for the majority of the suit. Make sure to order a sample - LOCATED IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
Bartfelds: Some nice furs, fairly limited selection - LOCATED IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
Spotlight: Some nice furs - range and quality available varies from store to store. I do highly recommend trying to wait until you have coupons or they are having a sale before purchasing items there as they always have sales happening. Highly reccomend being a member with Spotlight to get notified of sales. STORES AUSTRALIA WIDE
ETSY: Has a wide variety of independent shops that carry some niche colours. Searching [COLOUR] faux fur fabric" generally gives good results. Be sure to check the shops location - some will take longer to ship and cost more due to distance. This is a last resort as they can often be quite expensive.
Aliexpress: Basically Ebay but for Chinese based manufacturers. Highly recommend going with shops that have been operating for at least 2 years with decent reviews and getting swatches before ordering. You can expect to wait up to 2 months for delivery, but I've generally had decent luck getting good quality fabric and items in bulk from Aliexpress.
Linda Wholesale: A specific manufacturer on Aliexpress. Suggested by other makers (haven't yet used myself) - Huge range of faux fur in solid and multi-colour styles. As usual - I reccommend getting swatches before purchasing larger quantities
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MINKY
Wriggle Bots: Limited colour range of shannons minky, but quick to ship and LOCATED IN AUSTRALIA
MinkyNmore: A range 34 of minky colours to choose from, made in their own mill. LOCATED IN AUSTRALIA
Home Craft Textiles: They have two different weights of minky in stock - the premium at 300gsm and their plain minky at 180gsm (For reference Shannons minky is 380gsm). BASED IN PERTH AUSTRALIA
Howl fabrics: They now also stock 130+ colours of Shannon minky! PLUS THEY HAVE SWATCH CARDS!! Perfect for getting your matching minky and fur in one single order.
Spoonflower: Custom printed minky? Hell yeah! A variety of patterned minky for sale from other artists or you can upload your own!
Aliexpress: Basically Ebay but for Chinese based manufacturers. Highly recommend going with shops that have been operating for at least 2 years with decent reviews and getting swatches before ordering. You can expect to wait up to 2 months for delivery, but I've generally had decent luck getting good quality fabric and items in bulk from Aliexpress
Hopen Textiles: A specific manufacturer on Aliexpress. Want that stetchy smooth minky seen on fursuit paws and noses? This is the stuff!
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​FLEECE
Big Z Fabric: Wide range of colours including some hard to find shades.
TiaKnight: Wide range of colours. Reasonably quick to ship and good prices.
QRF: Nice range of fleece and quick delivery. Order by contacting them via their contact page or email to make an order - minimum 5m per colour. BASED IN VICTORIA
Home Craft Textiles: I recommend their premium polar fleece as it is anti-pill, a good quality pile, and available in 29 colours. BASED IN PERTH AUSTRALIA
Spotlight: Some nice fleece colours - I try to get the polar, wide or husky fleece range as they are thick, good quality and anti-pill fleece. I do highly recommend trying to wait until you have coupons or they are having a sale before purchasing items there as they always have sales happening. STORES AUSTRALIA WIDE
Joanns: Wide range of fleece colours, anti-pill fleece is recommended. Back up if the other stores don't have the exact colour I'm after. I do highly recommend trying to wait until you have coupons or they are having a sale before buying there as shipping is a flat rate AU$35 and it is quite pricey compared to buying from other more local suppliers. They also do not do swatches, so make and save your own swatches at home if you do buy from them for future purchases.
Spoonflower: Custom printed fleece? Hell yeah! A variety of patterned fleece for sale from other artists or you can upload your own!
ETSY: Has a wide variety of independent shops that carry some niche colours. Searching [COLOUR] solid fleece fabric" generally gives good results. Be sure to check the shops location - some will take longer to ship and cost more due to distance.
Aliexpress: Basically Ebay but for Chinese based manufacturers. Highly recommend going with shops that have been operating for at least 2 years with decent reviews and getting swatches before ordering. You can expect to wait up to 2 months for delivery, but I've generally had decent luck getting good quality fabric and items in bulk from Aliexpress
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PARTS AND MASK BASES
Dream Vision Creations: Long running store by two fursuit makers in the US. They make all sorts of products - resin and foam head bases, claws, jawsets, silicone noses and paw pads - you name it, they probably have a part for it!
MAXbasesshop: Amazing quality foam bases. They do premades and customs. Located in Ukraine, they do ship to most locations.
Nuke Creations: Wide range of foam and resin fursuit head bases, they also come with 3D eye blanks to fit! Very high quality bases and the eye sets match perfectly for the bases I have bought so far. They also make a few other parts like resin teeth sets and foam toe beans, plus fan and LED kits.
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MISCELLANEOUS
Barnes: Have both the ED and ALANNA heads. Not always in stock so grab when able. Located in Australia
Bunnings: All sorts of handy tools and this is also where I get my webbing for the belt loops on my tails! (hardware section with ropes and such). STORES AUSTRALIA WIDE
Punch with Judy: Stabilizers, interfacings, water soluble toppers - this place has it all! Plus its my source for Swedish Tracing Paper - which is great for tracing your patterns on to and you can sew this fabric to test your pattern out to boot! Located in NSW, Australia.
Innergreen: Australian based manufacturer for toy stuffing. This stuff is great. I go for the Recycled PET toy fill - soft, springy, hypoallergenic and machine washable, and good for the environment because its made from recycled plastic! Located in NSW, Australia.
Aliexpress: I get all sorts of miscellaneous bits and bobs from Aliexpress. Basically Ebay but for Chinese based manufacturers. Highly recommend going with shops that have been operating for at least 2 years with decent reviews and getting swatches before ordering. You can expect to wait up to 2 months for delivery, but I've generally had decent luck getting good quality fabric and items in bulk from Aliexpress.
Hopen Textiles: Mochi stuffing! A specific manufacturer on Aliexpress. Super soft non-clumping mochi stuffing - great for paw pads and plush noses - especially when combined with mochi minky! According to the suppliers listing it is 100% Polyester and eco-friendly.
Shucare: EVA foam type soling you can use to make the outdoor soles for your feetpaws or outdoor sandals for your indoor feeties! It is normally used for soling sandals and shoes so is relatively durable and is reasonably grippy. Easy enough to cut with a utility knife.
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