Tongues are something that really can be cute or cool, simple or detailed, short or long, thin or wide! I thought I would do a fun little writeup about how I create tongues for creatures that need one. I talk about using a sewing machine, but you can also hand-sew tongues as well.
Materials:
Paper
Suitable fabric for a tongue
Chalk or something to mark fabric with
Scissors
Pins
Matching thread
Optional:
Stuffing
Headliner foam
Hemostat to stuff
Clips
Magnets or velcro
Getting Started
Select the fabric you will be using. I really like using fabrics such as lycra, minky, velour, plain cotton, or anti-pill fleece. I try to avoid fabrics that might pill or look too “fluffy” for a tongue. Some fabrics I choose because they wrinkle up nicely, so it looks like how folds would be on a real tongue.
Take a moment to look up reference of your critter’s tongue! This might help you for figuring out what shape, size, colors, or even how thick or thin to make your tongue for your project! Even for something as simple as a tongue I look up reference examples all steps of the way in my projects.
Definitely look up more than one picture, if you can! I made a Harbor Seal fursuit and learned they have really cute forked tongues, I wouldn’t have known without seeking out reference!
Begin by making a paper pattern to get the size and length or any unique shapes (like a forked tongue) figured out. Paper is easy to work with for tongues because you can bend and manipulate it to see if you will like it and if it fits with the rest of your WIP (work in progress).
In this paper pattern I was experimenting with a 3-dimensional tongue!
Plan out where you might want to put magnets or velcro features, especially if you are making removable or “licking” tongues that stick to a magnet elsewhere on your project.
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