sewing patterns for palaeontologists

[sew-a-saurus]

Do you have anything that resembles a spinosaurus pattern? I could work with something like a baryonyx and just add a sail.

Here, take both! 

Also, WOW it’s been like 70 million years since I last used this blog. Oof. I can’t promise a regular update schedule, but I’m not dead (yet), just kind of... forgot this was a thing for several years. Can’t believe y’all are still here. 

As usual, these are completely untested and don’t have any seam allowance added. I’d recommend working big because there are some pretty tiny pieces. The lighter lines are there to help you line up gussets and (in the case of the fingers/jaw area) suggest places you might want to needle sculpt to get a more defined look. 

For Spino’s sail, you could add interfacing to strengthen it, make it out of a single layer of stiff felt, make it as a separate piece and ladder-stitch it on, or make it part of the body pattern but only stuff partway and then sew across to keep it a little bit flatter. If you do make it as a separate piece and plan to sew it into the back seam, make sure you can squish it small enough to fit it inside the body while you sew that closed.

Baryonyx is based on Scott Hartman’s 2018 skeletal reconstruction, and Spinosaurus is based on the 2014 reconstruction by Ibrahim et al. (I included the centre of mass just for fun.) These patterns are free for personal use and you are welcome to modify them however you please. If you have tweaks and improvements, you’re welcome to submit your edited patterns and I’ll post them here.

[sew-a-saurus]

hello! how about a raptor? maybe a jurassic park type one, if you get what i mean :D

I’ll see what I can do, Anon!

[scientiflix]

There’s A Dinosaur That Survived Mass Extinction!

As time goes on, we’re learning more and more about dinosaurs. Last week, dinosaur fossils were discovered in South America, and it’s believed that these dinosaurs died long after the great extinction! Join Tara as she discusses the Leikupal laticauda and why this discovery is so significant.

via DNews.

[sew-a-saurus]

And here, ladies and gentlemen, is why I've grown to abhor the Discovery Channel. (Except the Mythbusters. They're still cool.)

[sew-a-saurus]

For theabsurdmudskipperstentialist and anyone else who might be interested, the long-awaited skull of Deinocheirus, plus some other bone elements (I believe they're metatarsals) that were returned to Mongolia.

[sew-a-saurus]

You've actually made my day with Deinocheirus having a body. Thank you so much.

You're welcome!

[bug-grrrl]

This are the gigantic arms of Deinocheirus mirificus. It is known almost exclusively from this fossil, although just from that it is reasonably assumed to be an ornithomimosaur, possibly herbivorous.

[sew-a-saurus]

Pardon me, Sir Mudskipper, but I'm afraid to inform you your information is out of date! New Deinocheirus mirificus material has been found (or returned) and published in the last year. We now know conclusively that it is an ornithomimosaur, albeit a basal one. We also know that it had a hump or sail on its back, was about 12 feet tall at the hip, and had a face like a spoonbill stork.

[sew-a-saurus]

Allosaurus is the clearly superior dinosaur! They are graceful and noble, needing only a few people to eat each week, and their eye ridges are such fun to scratch.

I would be more inclined towards an abelisaurid; perhaps Kryptops or Majungasaurus, but that's my personal preference. Their nubby little arm-stumps are just so cute!

[staceygigawatt]

They now believe that dinosaurs had feathers and not scales.

I’m sorry, but I prefer the idea of terrifying, giant, mutant like lizards scavenging the earth rather than giant chickens.

Imagine walking into a Jurassic Park like place, but instead of seeing the traditional form of a T-Rex you see a feather covered one instead.

Err, no thanks.

[sew-a-saurus]

I think you should be a little more open to the notion of feathered dinosaurs, friend. T. rex could've had a mane! It could've been iridescent! It could've had a punk-rock mohawk of feathers all the way down its back! I think you should, if only for a moment, envision the possibilities rather than immediately assuming that feathers and dinosaurs don't mix.

[sew-a-saurus]

I tried to submit this to the Monsters of the Deep zine, but I don't think it got in. Oh well.

Here's a Bake-Kujira for you all anyway.

[sew-a-saurus]

Here's Citipati sp., your oviraptorid for the day! Fun fact: Many people think they know what Oviraptor looks like, but in truth the head used on most restorations is Citipati's, leading to numerous cases of mistaken identity. But you probably already knew that.

I even went so far as to include wings, which are completely mandatory in my opinion. Not included are eggs for it to sit on, although I'm sure you could make some if you felt like it.

As usual, this pattern is untested and seam allowance is not included. Feel free to modify as you see fit, and show me the results when you're done! I'd love to see.

[sew-a-saurus]

Since the response to that was underwhelming, I'll go ahead and pick a ceratopsian. Maybe Achelousaurus, but more likely Triceratops or one of its closely related kin, as the skeletal references will likely be better.

(Spoiler alert: I have no idea how I'm going to do the frill, but I'll figure something out.)

[sew-a-saurus]

Sorry for all the Non-Dinosaurs...

...Though at least they're cool non-dinosaurs. No stinkin' cynodonts here.

I'll make up for it, though; I'll do a double feature today! One is going to be Citipati for sure, but I'll take a poll for the other.

Any 'saurs you'd like to see me tackle?

[sew-a-saurus]

Who Was the Snuggliest Dinosaur of All?

For over a century and a half, dinosaurs were viewed as monstrous, scaly reptiles. Scores of science fiction stories hinged on the peril we would face if we ever got close to one. And though it's s...

The snuggliest dinosaur was obviously Velociraptor mongoliensis.

[sew-a-saurus]

Hoo boy, do I have an oddball for you today.

This thing here is called Vetulicola cuneata, and it looks more like an alien spacecraft than anything that ever existed, exists, or will exist on our planet, but exist it did--during the Cambrian, when evolution was young and still experimenting (likely with substances of dubious legality.)

As you can see by this lovely drawing (by the ever-so-talented Skelefrog on DeviantArt,) our strangely shaped friend here has more tail segments than the three tail-fin sections I've patterned. I have left the rest to a judgement call by you, the crafter.

The dotted lines on the body fin and tail base show where I think the pieces should be sewn into the body.(If the fin is an awkward shape, feel free to cut it differently. I think I messed up patterning it because I forgot to factor in the turning.) Speaking of, the fins and tail segments should be cut out of nonfraying fabric like felt or fleece.

The line on the body piece is a line expressed in restorations such as the above, and the dots are spiracles--use a french knot or an appliqué for those, and embroidery for the lateral line.

As usual, I haven't tested this pattern at all. Seam allowance is not included. Feel free to modify the pattern--all I ask is you share your modifications with me so I can improve the pattern for others.

[sew-a-saurus]

What are your opinions on the Build A Dinosaur project, better known as the Chickenosaurus?

[skeletaldrawing]

The ultimate dinosaur celebrity doing what human celebrities never can: keeping its mouth shut.

[sew-a-saurus]

I feel like Hurdia would've nyoomed around the Cambrian seas like a berserk arthropod whale zeppelin.

Blog Mod talking about Hurdia victoria.