Here's Steve having an Otter body experience.

The main inside part of the costume consists of two pieces, which we will creatively call the bottom and the top. The inside (foam rubber part) of the costume is removable from the fake fur outer Otter part so that they are washable. (sorry, I just had to do that).
The bottom of the bottom part is where the tail attaches, and the angle of the bottom is critical for the proper look of the finished costume.
There are also two complete bottoms that are sewn together so that they are lined on the inside and the outside as well as to provide additional stiffness so that the outer fur costume keeps its proper Otter shape.

Steve starts adjusting the bottom foam pieces for proper fit.

Here's one of the bottom parts with the outside brown fabric lining attached. (Can you call it lining if it's on the outside???)

Steve tries on the bottom part. You can see how the bottom of the bottom (again, sorry) tilts for proper tail alignment.

Lots of pieces cut, fit, lined (outside), and ready.

Here's the inside and outside of the bottom.

Now they are sewn together. Lots of hand sewing went into the marriage of the two pieces.

Here, Steve's trusty Pfaff sewing machine adds the finishing touch to the seam edges. On the next page, you'll see the final look of the bottom part.

To see more of our River Otter saga,
click on the Next button below.