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P.S. - If one technique or tutorial or material doesn't work or look right, then try a different option.

Sorry if my answers aren't the solutions you're looking for. These techniques are what always helps me when I build model kits. When I get frustrated on something, I just get up from the kitchen table and go relax for awhile. Eventually, a solution will present itself to me in due time.

Well, it's not that I'm frustrated because I can't get it right, I'm frustrated because I can't get it in the first place. I'm not stuck on step 2 or 3. I'm stuck on finding where step 1 begins. I have no idea what shapes I'm supposed to be cutting my foam, or whether or not it's normal to be using an entire stick of hot glue to try to get one strip of foam to stay in place.  .

Thanks for the support though. I'm having a little trouble finding how to make my words sound like I'm frustrated, but not angry. Sorry, Kobuk

The thing is that you're not really trying anything different.  All foam construction is HARD.  There's a reason I almost never do heads that way.  You might consider plastic canvas and mesh, or carving out a foam block, or some other method entirely.  If this method doesn't work for you it may be time not to just try more glue, but to try something else altogether.

That is a good point. I'm likely going to save the head for last anyway. I'm trying to figure out where to start for the hand-foot paws right now . Thank you for the support, SPark.

Nice job so far.    You will be able to "tune" some of your seams and tighten up the body if you want. Expect several sets of fail paws while you work out the pattern.
 
Building the head freaked me out the most. I would mull it over for hours, and still not have a clue where to start. Once I got going, it just seemed to fall in place. I still fretted over the details, stumbled on some things, but once I had momentum, it propelled itself. I reviewed many tutorials, but could never wrap my brain around all foam heads. Balaclava and fun foam sandwich worked out well for me. You will find what works for you, when you are ready.

Yeah, I tried making a paw a little while ago. It was..pretty awful. I'm going to keep trying though. Hopefully I'll find a guide or just work out a pattern.

Keep trying..keep trying..

I got a glove pattern by buying a pair of cheap gloves and taking them apart.   Just don't buy any that are stretchy or rubber, since fur fabric isn't stretchy so that won't work.

It's like I'm repeatedly running head-long into a wall. I did this with the head already, but I'm now sitting here with cut up foam, burned hands, having no idea what I'm doing with the hand or footpaws. I'm reading just about every guide I can find, but I still have absolutely no idea what I'm doing.

I was doing so well too .

Does anybody have any advice for an easily-frustrated, first time fursuit maker?

I am on fire with what Kobuk said. REST AND RELAX. I have to do that, myself for various reasons. You begin to make mistakes if you do mess with something for too long and if you rest your eyes, mind, and body and come back later, maybe even a few hours, you're fresh and ready to assess the troubling situation from a new standpoint.

I also know how stubborn one can be to practice that. It's not easy to just walk away when you WANT to finish something or achieve something because you just want to, but I guarantee, walking away makes for a better outcome and you'll be sooo relieved hon.

Yes, and look up tutorials and watch them over and over and over. Find pictures of other fursuits with progress pictures or finished presentations of the suit and save them for referencing. I've been doing that for the past two months to help with my inspiration. I've found some cool ways, techniques and styles to create a reminiscence of. Not copying flat out, but just adopting eyes, feet styles, digigrade legs, curves, and various things for my own suits.

Sorry if that was long, but I know the feeling. Hang in there, it will come out all right. This is also a great time to learn more about yourself as uninteresting as that might sound ,lol.

Looking good so far!  I'm following along so I know who to look for at the next MFF

Move aside, Adrian Viedt. There is a new smartest man in the world.

Through all this panic, I haven't once thought to ask my CLOTHING DESIGN TEACHER what she thinks about hand-paws. I'm going to ask her for a little help and for a few opinions tomorrow . (If that's not genius, I don't know what is.)

I should probably be able to get some good help from her .

Move aside, Adrian Veidt. There is a new smartest man in the world.

Through all this panic, I haven't once thought to ask my CLOTHING DESIGN TEACHER what she thinks about hand-paws. I'm going to ask her for a little help and for a few opinions tomorrow . (If that's not genius, I don't know what is.)

I should probably be able to get some good help from her .

I think you should give yourself a cookie! Sometimes getting so frustrated and distraught, we forget to ask the simplest tools we have for help. Believe me, I've even forgot to ask the teacher I was in the same room with XD YES! HUZZAH! (Pats your back) I do believe you shall be more relieved from now on with this new plan!  

Well, she was no help at all. However, I have been getting some help on the footpaws from a friend who isn't a fur, but loves doing that sort of thing.

Right now, I can't hold a pencil due to a broken finger. I'll be starting back up again in a few days

Okay, it seems to have healed. A lot . In fact, we made a lot of progress today. The footpaws are done! (We just need to add the fur now, which I've already started to work on in this picture)



I'm finally moving forward again ! I apologize for that breakdown earlier

Yay paws!

Those based around shoes?

YAY FEETIES! 

Good to see your moving on with it.

Yay paws!

Those based around shoes?

Yes. A cheap pair of those slip-on canvas shoes. They fit really nicely, surprisingly!

I know I haven't updated for a while, but I've finally gotten motivated to get back to work.

I found a better way to make footpaws, so that's what I'm currently working on .