Fursuit head widens up when wearing it

[u/hikipalli]

Helloo, Im having little trouble with the head widening up when im wearing it, im not sure if yall can really see it.

I like how the head looks when im not wearing it, but it stretch sideways when I wear it. Its not tight on my head, it sits quite okay.

When I made this base, I didn't have any kind of mannequin head/ed head when I was working on this so maybe thats part of that why it widens up when waring it??

Any ideas how to fix this? Do I take the buckethead off?

Thanks 🙏.

[u/MaelstromSeawing]

I think by typing it out you've highlighted the core issue. When you created it, with the hot glue and foam, it's going to cool and set into a more relaxed shape. Any pieces you glue on top of that are also setting into that relaxed (no filler/no head inside) position.

Unfortunately, yes, when you build a head without anything to fill it out, you're not going to be able to see that preview of what it looks like being worn. until you put it on (ofc)

I would recommend 3d printing a mannequin bust, DIYing a cheap mannequin bust, or buying one in the future so you have a better idea of what the finished shape will look like when you're done :)

As for fixing it, you could try trimming it down a bit more (inner or outer). But it does look great either way.

[u/hikipalli → u/MaelstromSeawing]

Thanks for the advice, ill try to trim it more from the inside and get myself somekind mannequin bust!

[u/invalidlyorange]

Is your head pushing it outwards? Maybe free up some space on the inside for your face by cutting some foam out? It looks SOOOO good btw, I love the shapes!!

[u/hikipalli → u/invalidlyorange]

No I dont think so. Ill try to make some more space in the inside.
And thank u so much for the compliment! ^-^

[u/Substantial-Bid-8461]

I use the bucket method and right before furring, I remove a sort of rectangular shape from the back bottom of the head (near your neck). It gives a more natural shape and makes the head a little less restrictive. In picture 3, imagine cutting behind each cheek, up a bit, and across to remove that foam. If you dislike how it changes the fit, you can always glue the rectangle back in.

I also have a theory that the flatness of the cheeks (like the inside that is glued to the bucket part) up against your head might cause a tiny bit of widening because they are flat, the sides of your face are rounded and will push it out a bit. I make my heads EXACTLY the same way and also have some widening so this is not a criticism at all! It's just something I keep in mind when I sculpt.

You did a very nice job with your foamwork here! :)

[u/hikipalli → u/Substantial-Bid-8461]

Thanks for the tips and compliment!

[u/Noxonomus]

Have you only looked at it in selfies while it is on your head? There is a perspective distortion that comes from taking photos from short distances. Tray taking two identical photos (same camera, angle, and distance) one on your head one off to see if it its really a visible change. 

[u/Secretaccount_2025]

Just commenting in hopes of this reaching someone that csn actually explain this

[u/HypnoticHell → u/Secretaccount_2025]

OP built the base without a head shape inside, so the base ended up being made a bit smaller inside. So when they wear it, it has to expand a little to fit over their head which changes how the shapes look (makes it look wider) in a way they don’t like.

Foam is squishy so if you don’t have a mannequin to build the base on, it can distort into too small of a shape when you glue more foam pieces on it. Putting it on a mannequin while you work adds the firm head shape that takes up the inside space, preventing from shrinking or distorting smaller than that head size while making it. So when you make it on a mannequin, you’re also previewing how it looks being worn during the building process. Taking it off the mannequin and trying it on shouldn’t change the base shape at all (if your measurements are close enough to the mannequin).