My First Plushie: Princess Luna

[Fhaolan 4,484]

Hrmmmm. That model you're going off of has a lot of mane on one side. I'm sure you've got a plan, though, to cope with the amount of one-sided weight that's going to add.

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

Wow, this is absolutely amazing, Soaring! I can't believe I didn't notice this topic sooner...

 

You are doing an absolutely stunning job on this plushie, and it's interesting to see the process you're going through, complete with pictures.

 

Great topic, man, great topic.

[SoaringSentinel 139]

Hrmmmm. That model you're going off of has a lot of mane on one side. I'm sure you've got a plan, though, to cope with the amount of one-sided weight that's going to add.

 

you cant see it in the picture but luna leans slightly to the left. once the hair is attached it will pull the head and the body to the right so it will balance out. (or thats the theory )

Edited March 26, 2013 by SoaringSentinel

[Homura Akemi 974]

That is one impressive plushie! Definitely better than the official merch! (Like the dolls, but not the plushies) That could sell for a lot of money. :3

[Neutrona 11]

I really liked this plushie.  Wishing Hasbro would take a hint from awesome people like you and the folks on sites like etsy that make awesome pony merchandise.  Wish I had the money to get these awesome things.

[SoaringSentinel 139]

I am stuck, i need something to keep the wings upright. currently i've tried putting metal wire in ( hand braided 3 times) and its just not enoegh. can someone recomend somekind of strong but flexible material i could use to keep them up. perhaps some different kind of metal wire or tubing?

[Pixel Stick 927]

Sounds like the wire you used either is too flexible or isn't fastened securely enough to the body. I might try a metal coat hanger, and plastic fabric mesh to stiffen the wings and provide some anchoring so the wings don't slide around or bunch up on it.

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

Well done, my good man.  You've put a lot of work into it, and it shows.  The official stuff is pretty crappy a lot of the time; no surprise that people have stepped up to make their own.

[Fhaolan 4,484]

I am stuck, i need something to keep the wings upright. currently i've tried putting metal wire in ( hand braided 3 times) and its just not enoegh. can someone recomend somekind of strong but flexible material i could use to keep them up. perhaps some different kind of metal wire or tubing?

I suggest going to the hardware store and take a look at the sheathed cable (Not the stranded stuff, but the solid copper wire stuff). You can usually get it as short as 15' lengths in coils in the electrical area, for about $10-$20 or so. 10/3 will be the heaviest, and 14/2 the lightest of the stiff stuff. The first number is the gauge (smaller numbers the heavier), and the second number is the number of wires in the sheath, not including the ground. So /2 actually means three wires, while /3 actually means four. If 14/2 is still too heavy, then they might sell individual 10-14 gauge solid copper by the foot off a larger reel. Remember, you want the solid copper wire, not the stranded stuff.

 

If you go the route of this heavy wire, I suggest threading a single length through so it goes from the tip of one wing to the other, so when you bend one wing, it's acting against the other rather than trying to attach the ends inside the body.

 

If you need it to spring back, however, take a look at neoprene or PEX tubing in that same hardware store. It should be in the plumbing area. Maybe even check out the different types & grades of garden hoses.

Edited March 29, 2013 by Fhaolan

[LensFlare 40]

Unfortunately, I can't really help with your wire issues. But WOW! She looks awesome!!   As others have said, you could definitely make some good money if you sold her, but personally I would say keep her! Really a great work of art you've done! Can't wait to see her finished

[SoaringSentinel 139]

Thanks, ill take a look at the coat hangers tommorow, and if that doesnt work i gues ill head down to the hardware store. These are great suggestions, keep em comming i really appriciate it.

 

As for selling her. I haven't decided yet. I've already had some jaw dropping offers from some people. But they haven't seen the final result yet. And i'm someone who want to deliver quality if i do sell her. There is still plenty that can go wrong., especialy wince it's my first.

 

Also there is a small issue with the mouth. Hence why i havent shown any pictures from the front yet. Since its quite crooked and im looking into maybe fixing it somehow,

Edited March 29, 2013 by SoaringSentinel

[Fhaolan 4,484]

Oh, and when working with the heavy wire, make sure you curl the ends over so they won't poke through the fabric. I made that mistake once.

 

Hrmmm. Had a thought. You may want to put two lengths of heavy wire in, one running from tip to tip, and the other running from the center of the wing (might be tricky given you've already stitched), so it doesn't try to rotate on the single wire.

[Pilot 40]

Wow, that's huge!  Looks great too. Odd I haven't seen this topic yet... Anyways, nice job, keep up the good work! And keep those pictures, coming, too. It's interesting to see your plushie as it progresses.

[Diamond Treasure 118]

this looks amazing i cant wait to see the finished product i am defitly keeping track of this thread so i can see it when its done keep up the good work

[Rave Crocker 49]

the only thing i dont like is the horn placement would look allot better if it were tilted forward instead of straight up but i love the rest! and i'm sure a coat hanger will work fine on those wings they cant be that heavy electrical wire cable is effective but overkill.

[SoaringSentinel 139]

the only thing i dont like is the horn placement would look allot better if it were tilted forward instead of straight up but i love the rest! and i'm sure a coat hanger will work fine on those wings they cant be that heavy electrical wire cable is effective but overkill.

The wings weigh about half a kilo each hence why i need something strong. But also flexible enoegh that if (worst case scenario) someone tripped and fell on her that they wont be impaled by the wire because i used depleted uranium rods to keep the wings up or something

[pleasedontcomeback 209]

TY STOP LOOKING AT MY POSTSTY STOP LOOKING AT MY POSTSTY STOP LOOKING AT MY POSTSTY STOP LOOKING AT MY POSTSTY STOP LOOKING AT MY POSTSTY STOP LOOKING AT MY POSTSTY STOP LOOKING AT MY POSTSTY STOP LOOKING AT MY POSTSTY STOP LOOKING AT MY POSTSTY STOP LOOKING AT MY POSTSTY STOP LOOKING AT MY POSTSTY STOP LOOKING AT MY POSTS

Edited July 19, 2018 by PonyLover123

[~Scootaloo 440]

@PonyLover123: Yes I now see the difference. As you and the other two or three have already pointed out before. Either way the G4 doll still does not resemble Scootaloo well at all.

[SoaringSentinel 139]

Sounds like the wire you used either is too flexible or isn't fastened securely enough to the body. I might try a metal coat hanger, and plastic fabric mesh to stiffen the wings and provide some anchoring so the wings don't slide around or bunch up on it.

 

Thank youHarvan for the coathanger suggestion it worked perfectly. its rigid enoegh to keep them up and still somewhat fllexible

 

the result!

 

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. it was very much appriciated. 

 

now comes the scary part. cutting holes in the body to put the metal through.

[Rave Crocker 49]

make small slits with a very sharp knife, so it can be easily seamed back together otherwise you'll probably be left with a not so flattering stitch look 

[SoaringSentinel 139]

Dear Princess Celestia,

Today Luna did something no pony has ever done she was able to stand still for a really long time.
and earned her wings.

Your Faithfull student, Soaring Sentinel.

P.S. here's a picture

 

 

P.S.S. you need to talk to her about her haircut...

[Pixel Stick 927]

*applause* Very, very nicely done.   This is really inspiring - making me think I want to do something just like this.   Looking forward to seeing the final result with the mane and tail.

[Orchid Briar 18]

How she's looking really fantastic.

I cannot wait to see her completed.

I have a feeling she is going to be an absolute stunner.

Actually... I'm sure of it.

Keep up the good work!  

[SoaringSentinel 139]

Quickie update. Upon closer inspection the satin i was planning to use for the hair is a no go. It rips to easily when attached to minky. So luna will be 100% minky. Which means i'll have to wait for the batch of purple minky to arrive which could be friday or monday.

 

Also i am researching the posibility of doing commisions.

Important note if i do start taking commisions. I'll only accept 1 at a time. Here is how i see this working:

Someone sends me a comission request. If i dont have one in the works i'll accept it and start work. If i have one in the works, i'll put that person on a list, and once i am done i will contact the person thats next on that list to see if they are still interested and so on.

 

Also no OC's, show ponies only. This simply because i have to like the thing i am making, while some oc's are quite awesome some are not. And if you want me to make something awesome i have to be invested in the project and the show ponies provide a common ground where i like almost all of them. This way i wont have to get invested in making something i dont like. Seeing as this is a hobby.

 

Note i am not accepting any yet so dont bother sending requests yet. I am merely putting my thoughts out there to see if these are reasonable requests.

 

Let me know

[Pixel Stick 927]

 

Also i am researching the posibility of doing commisions.

 

Very cool.  Just a suggestion: If you're giving this any serious thought, I would suggest posting some information about how much time, effort and money your Luna project is costing you.  Obviously, as a first-time effort, it will be higher than future projects because it's a learning project as much as anything.  But even so, it will help to set some expectations for your potential customers.

 

Also, a piece of advice if you do decide to go forward: Be reasonable, of course, but don't be afraid to charge a realistic amount for your work.  From what I can see in your photos, you're doing some very impressive, high-quality work, and that's really worth something.  I would suggest setting a price that lets you make a reasonable profit, and being firm with your clientele on it.  It might be hard at first, but I promise you will be even more proud of your work, and so will the people you do it for.