Pattern and Tutorial: Retractable Claws for Fursuits

The purpose of this guide is to teach how to make the sewn claw and the retractable claw assembly. I have included finger digit patterns, claw patterns, (and a free simple handpaw pattern to start you out is included), but the rest is up to you! Retractable claws are such a fun feature to consider for a project! It is a way that you can add a little bit more interactivity and performance aspect or better match a critter’s species, such as if your character is a housecat, a fossa, a tiger, big cat, a fantasy creature, and so on!

This guide includes a pattern of the claw and a sample digit to assemble to practice the concept. It also has an included digit pattern that matches up to my free handpaw tutorial available on Matrices.net (FREE Matrices.net simple handpaw pattern & tutorial included in the downloads!)

It includes a detailed tutorial for making and sewing the retractable claw assembly with step-by-step instructions. Tutorial text is written in English. The pattern itself is designed to be printed. Included is letter-sized (8.5x11 inch) and a4-sized (210x297 mm) formatted PDFs for printing.

Materials needed to make this project

• Narrow elastic

• Fabric for Claws

• Hemostat or strong tweezers

• Faux fur & matching fabric for the design

• Razor blade

• Scissors

• Pencil or chalk to mark patterns

• Comb (to pick seams)

• Sewing Machine or needle & thread

• Clips or pins

• Stuffing

• Stretchy liner fabric (Optional)

Enjoy making and performing with this awesome claw feature! I have worked hard to create and test this pattern and write up its tutorial!

It is highly appreciated if you use or adapt these techniques on projects, that you share credit that you learned it right here from Matrices.net using my patterns and guides. That way others can discover my tutorials and make their own retractable claws, too!!

Note: This is a digital download, I will not be sending buyers anything in the mail with this purchase, it is intended to be downloaded so you can enjoy making this project yourself! Thanks for understanding!