How to make a DTD (Duct Tape Dummy)
A Duct Tape Dummy, or DTD, is a very important part of the fursuit making process. We need a DTD from all clients who are having a full suit made. A DTD is basically a "shell" of your body, which helps us create a perfectly form fitted fursuit that's tailored just for you. Remember that the difference between a well fitting suit and a poorly fitted one is the quality of the DTD.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
- Duct Tape (MUST be Duck Brand colored duct tape or another cheaper tape. NO SILVER TAPE!) About 6-10 rolls
- EMT Shears (Has a guard to prevent accidentally cutting skin)
- Painters Coveralls
- Plastic grocery bag
- Paper towels
- A friend or two, the more the merrier
- EMT Shears (Has a guard to prevent accidentally cutting skin)
- Painters Coveralls
- Plastic grocery bag
- Paper towels
- A friend or two, the more the merrier
PREPARATION
Making a DTD is a long process, but we have figured out a method to make it a little less miserable. Follow these instructions for a (mostly) painless DTD session.
Make it an event! Have some friends over and have a DTD party. It can take some time, and the more hands helping cut tape or placing tape makes the process much quicker. Dedicate a space for this. You want to be able to move around the person being taped. You may want to make it a little cooler too, as the person being taped will likely get warm. Keep water on hand.
Why Duck Tape colored tape? We have noticed the silver heavy duty tape is not sticky enough. It is strong, but it doesn't stick to itself very well. We require our clients to use Duck brand colored tape or another cheap art duct tape. Its a third of the price, much stickier and easier to work with. You can usually just tear it with your hands. Please be sure to use this tape, if you make it with the wrong tape we will have to ask you to make it again (and no one wants to do that!)
LAYER LAYER LAYER! Make sure you are cutting strips of tape (around 3-6 inches long) and crisscrossing them over each other and layering the tape. Two layers minimum.
Make it an event! Have some friends over and have a DTD party. It can take some time, and the more hands helping cut tape or placing tape makes the process much quicker. Dedicate a space for this. You want to be able to move around the person being taped. You may want to make it a little cooler too, as the person being taped will likely get warm. Keep water on hand.
Why Duck Tape colored tape? We have noticed the silver heavy duty tape is not sticky enough. It is strong, but it doesn't stick to itself very well. We require our clients to use Duck brand colored tape or another cheap art duct tape. Its a third of the price, much stickier and easier to work with. You can usually just tear it with your hands. Please be sure to use this tape, if you make it with the wrong tape we will have to ask you to make it again (and no one wants to do that!)
LAYER LAYER LAYER! Make sure you are cutting strips of tape (around 3-6 inches long) and crisscrossing them over each other and layering the tape. Two layers minimum.
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STEP 1
Wear tight athletic clothing or underwear, whichever you're more comfortable having all of your friends see when the DTD gets cut off. Put on the painters coverall. You will not need the hood (If it comes with one.) STEP 2 Keep legs somewhat spread open. Create an "Underwear" with tape. Make sure to tape the groin area very well so it is form fitted. Tape a small area around the ankle. STEP 3 Tape up one leg. Use a plastic bag to cover the foot. Tape over this so the entire foot is taped. Once the whole leg is securely taped, cut this leg free. Do not cut all the way up! STEP 4 Tape up the other leg. You can choose to tape this foot if you want to, but feel free to just tape to the ankle. When this leg is securely taped, cut this leg free. Do not cut all the way up! STEP 5 Create a "Tank top" with the tape. Do not cover the zipper. Make sure to tape up the neck past the collarbone. You can use paper towels if the coveralls do not go up that far. STEP 6 Keep one arm at a 90 degree angle. You can have a friend stand by while the model rests their hand on the friends shoulder, or you can give them a broom or chair to rest their hand on so they keep their arm out. Tape around the wrist. NOTE: You may find the painters coveralls are too baggy in the armpit. You can cut the coveralls and use the paper towels to protect the skin here, you want to be sure you tape under the arm as close to the body as possible. STEP 7 Tape up to the neck. Make sure to tape the top of the shoulder area very well. Cut up to the shoulder, freeing the arm. Do not cut all the way into the neck! STEP 8 Repeat step 6 with the other arm. STEP 9 Repeat Step 7. Do not cut all the way through the neck. STEP 10: Unzip the coverall zipper and have them step out of the DTD. WRITE YOUR CHARACTER NAME on the DTD somewhere! Fold up tightly and pack into a box for shipping. All done! |