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Pony Talk => Pony Corral => Topic started by: WingsOfMasquerade on July 02, 2018, 09:12:52 PM

Title: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: WingsOfMasquerade on July 02, 2018, 09:12:52 PM
With the popularity of G4, I noticed something 'new' to the pony fandom: BIG plush.
Like, giant ones. Fan done, of course...but it made me wonder why huge plush seems to be a G4 only phenomenon.

Like in the years of G1 you never saw someone coming up with a riding size Sweet Pop or  a 3 foot high SS WindWhistler or something. Is it because the G4 ponies themselves are so small & the collectors just feel they have a lot of room to hog via a huge version of their favorite character? Is it because they still had room in their pony-rooms unlike G1 fans? (mine's jammed...)

G3, of course, had the largest official plushes for sale with that Frilly Frocks offer. But who was the biggest G1 plush? Does anybody have photos?

What's the biggest pony plush (of any gen) that you have a photo of?
WOULD large size G1 plushes be a good idea*? Would you like to be able to buy one?
WOULD you get like a 2 foot high, 3 foot high or 4 foot high G1? A "Life Size" newborn pony?

*Providing they actually looked good / looked like a pony...of course. Lots of people don't collect the original G1 combing plushes because they don't look 'pony' enough--and I've claimed many times how I wouldn't buy an official G4 plush (YET) because fan offerings are always soooooo much better. Companies are fully able to do a good job with plush it's just that Hasbro doesn't care. The fans don't have some "magic pattern machine" they just try harder--and I'm not talking about the super detailed expensive embroidery, TAF designs, hair fades, or sculpted hair that would be rough at a factory (an unfair comparison), I'm talking about basic body forms & face shapes that are just excellent = looks like the show.
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: True on July 02, 2018, 09:23:54 PM
I know I've seen some huge G1 plushies from this community in the past, so hopefully those people speak up and share their pictures. xD

I seem to remember someone also doing a life sized "soft sleepy newborn" pony (i think thats what they were called at least) but it was not a plushy. 
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: LadyMoondancer on July 02, 2018, 09:27:32 PM
Having a huge plush seems like so much fun, but I know my cats would just sit on it and cover it in cat hair!  :P

Does anyone else remember the huge, official Care Bears plushes from the 80s?  Not the regular ones, but like . . . a Tenderheart Bear larger than a child.  I was always very impressed seeing them in the Sears Wishbook, but I never knew anyone who had one.
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: brightberry on July 03, 2018, 09:43:30 AM
I have seen some giant G1 plushes ages ago.   But a lot of that happened before the internet and ponies were not a high priority for adults at the time.  If grandma made a pony for their granddaughter, it wasn't going to be shared with the world on instagram.

My guess as to why it isn't more popular is because Bronies want their toys and merch to look like the tv show and G1 fans want their shows and all other merch look like the toy.  I think it's going to be harder to get a giant plushie to look like the G1 plastic pony with brush-able manes and tails.  Possible, but also really expensive and time consuming.  I know I would be really picky about getting the curves of the face just right.  In this case, I think the G4 animation style lends itself better to plushies.
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: SaraMari on July 03, 2018, 10:26:54 AM
I think it would be nice to see pictures of giant g1 plush or even see it in person, but I wouldn't want one personally since it would take up so much space. And eventually all these giant plushes will end up in landfills being a big wad of materials. (Of course so will all other toys, I just wouldn't go out of the way to make more of it if that makes sense)
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: Carrehz on July 03, 2018, 02:11:51 PM
I've seen a couple of big (fan-made) G1 plushies before; I remember a pretty big Glory.. can't remember where I saw it now.. hmm

I think one reason why giant fan-made plushies are probably more of a "brony" thing are, those things are *expensive* :p Bronies are more liable to drop money on stuff like that, whereas I think us pre-G4 fans would prefer to spend money like that on a Nirvana (or not at all). That's just my opinion, though, of course.
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: goddessofpeep on July 03, 2018, 08:07:37 PM
I've got crazy space issues, so no life size plushes for me!  I didn't even order the Frilly Frocks when I had a chance due to not having anywhere to put it.

I think the whole fan made plush pony really went crazy when the G4s came out.  I don't remember plushes ever being nearly as popular for any other generation. 
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: Taffeta on July 04, 2018, 12:46:34 AM
I'm not sure it counts as a plush but I remember someone having that huge Sundance...

The biggest official G1 plushes are probably the pyjama cases from Telitoy over here.

But I agree that giant plushes are more synonymous with a collecting community whose priority is merch than the actual ponies/brushables.

I've never seen a giant fan made G1 plush in the line of some of the big G4 ones. But this thread does remind me of the large Pinkie Pie that someone dropped £500ish on at Ponycon. I don't think most G1 fans would do that, as Carrehz said.
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: Ponyfan on July 05, 2018, 01:28:38 PM
I'm not sure if the giant Cupcake in this commercial is a huge plush or if they just made it look like the little girl was sitting on a Cupcake pony.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TnZoUT31Vo


There used to be a video on YouTube posted by someone that claimed they owned one of the giant carousel ponies in the Drink n Wet pony commercial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F-CJJYg2EM


Ponyfan
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: Prince_Sunbeam on July 06, 2018, 12:10:26 PM
I'm not sure it counts as a plush but I remember someone having that huge Sundance...


Drusilla has that giant Sundance. I think it was an advertising prop, theres supposedly a BBE baby Sundance too, and probably others! I feel like those count
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: ashlyne on July 06, 2018, 12:58:54 PM
I'm not sure if the giant Cupcake in this commercial is a huge plush or if they just made it look like the little girl was sitting on a Cupcake pony.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TnZoUT31Vo


There used to be a video on YouTube posted by someone that claimed they owned one of the giant carousel ponies in the Drink n Wet pony commercial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F-CJJYg2EM


Ponyfan

I think that first commercial used a green-screen ;)   Not real.

MustBeJewel has one or two of those carousel sweetheart sisters :)  They're not plush -- but they're gorgeous!

I used to have most of the giant G3 plushes.  We used them as a reindeer/sleigh display for a winter-themed ponymeet:
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Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: Sebby6 on July 06, 2018, 02:27:07 PM
I have just downloaded that picture for no reason whatsoever lol
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: pinkkittywinks on July 06, 2018, 03:45:39 PM
i believe the biggest G1 plushies were the pj cases, Bow tie, Cotton Candy and Trickles

I wanted to share with you pictures of several giant Frilly Frocks size plushies I made using Rosesare pattern.

G3 Starcatcher, commissioned by Elaine.

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G3 OC Princess, commissioned by Miss Gina (the pony is unfilled as she is being shipped that way)

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G3 Minty, commissioned by gentleheartlamb (the pony is unfilled as she is being shipped that way)

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G1 Minty: commissioned by savetheponies for her daughter littlestsavetheponies for her birthday.

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G3 Waterfire: Commissioned by Strawberry Meadow, Archer, Moose, Reaperfox, Tinrobo and NearlyHeadlessNayy for Waterfire's wedding gift.

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Love pkw xxx
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: ashlyne on July 06, 2018, 06:23:51 PM
 THAT MINTY!! :heart: :heart: :heart:
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: Prince_Sunbeam on July 06, 2018, 06:45:10 PM
WOW PKW!!! Those are truly amazing.
Really has me thinkin.... I do love a good challenging sewing activity lol I fear the faces would come out too strange though if I attempted them with out some tested pattern
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: Snapdragon on July 07, 2018, 12:08:59 AM
I love your plushes Pinkkittywinks!!! :heart:

I do wonder if some of it boils down to popularity/how closely people connect with the characters. G1s only got limited characterization (since the show was more like a commercial for toys), and a LOT fewer seasons! (Plus, the era made it harder to connect with other fans/share your enjoyment of the franchise). G1 collectors tend to be more like 'I love this design/type of pony, it fits my aesthetic/makes me nostalgic', whereas G4 is more 'I love Pinkie Pie because her personality is so fun! I'd love to have her as a friend!', at least in my estimation. So if you think of who you want to snuggle up with/devote a lot of your space to, is it the thing you connect with on an aesthetic or on an emotional level?

Also, the relative ages of the collector groups; younger folks have more disposible income/fewer big debts to pay off!

Just my two cents though!
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: Carrehz on July 07, 2018, 03:18:19 PM
OMG PKW, those giant plushies are AMAZING!! :heart: I'm in awe of your skills *_*

I used to have most of the giant G3 plushes.  We used them as a reindeer/sleigh display for a winter-themed ponymeet:
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:heart: :heart: :heart:
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: Baby Sugarberry on July 07, 2018, 03:20:47 PM
I'm not sure if the giant Cupcake in this commercial is a huge plush or if they just made it look like the little girl was sitting on a Cupcake pony.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TnZoUT31Vo


There used to be a video on YouTube posted by someone that claimed they owned one of the giant carousel ponies in the Drink n Wet pony commercial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F-CJJYg2EM


Ponyfan

The Cupcake in that first commercial is the toy, they overlaid the video to make it look like the child is sitting on her, same as how they got the other kid to 'sit' in the Paradise Estate furniture.
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: Taffeta on July 07, 2018, 03:23:51 PM

I do wonder if some of it boils down to popularity/how closely people connect with the characters. G1s only got limited characterization

I would dispute this only on the level of my own experiences here in the UK. I agree the show is peripheral in defining characters  because it covers so few and lasted such a short time, but while I was interested in MLP before there was a comic, it was when the comic came out that I became really hooked and the comic dictated a lot of my favourite ponies because of how their stories were written (even though I never played out any comic scenarios, which is a bit weird I guess?). And there were also the story cassettes (lots of those), story books, and the backcard stories as well, so I wouldn't say limited exactly. But there is only one canon in G4 really. There are many in G1 which leads to diversity in the fandom's interpretation. The toys are the common ground connecting all these characterisations, whereas in G4 the common ground is the show.

I think it's more about what Hasbro channelled their energy into. What you said about the limited connection between fan groups across the world is probably a big deal in this too. Fan plush not really a thing in the eighties unless it was made by someone for a specific kid (not done on commission like now and shipped all over).

I would say I was attracted to the characters I read about but I attached that affection to the actual ponies. I never had any plush ponies nor wanted any so *shrug*. The comic was just as much about selling the toys, of course...
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: Leave a Whisper on July 07, 2018, 04:59:15 PM
Ashlynne, that is adorable! PKW those are precious!
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: brightberry on July 07, 2018, 11:42:25 PM
I agree with Taffieta that G1 fans still had a lot to work with when it came to character realization.  I loved the backcard stories so much more than the show.  Plus, I had my own imagination to work with.  Ponies were so much more than pretty objects to me.  I had a real affection for them.

And even G4 characters that had hardly any screen time at all still have a fan following and fan plushies.

Star Wars also had a huge following after just one movie and all the background characters were doted on by someone.  Transformers only had a few episodes at first but its following was huge.  I think part of that was because options were pretty limited so we were all watching the same shows.

But as Taffeta said, the ability of independent artists to sell to those fans was limited.
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: Baby Sugarberry on July 08, 2018, 03:24:55 PM
Another point to bear in mind is availability of equipment and supplies.

Back in the 80's, specialty fabric was prohibitively expensive and the types you had access to as a consumer were limited compared to now.  There were not a lot of good choices for making plush.  The only 'common' plush fabric was fun fur (does this have an official name?); a sort of low quality, fairly long (1-2cm) synthetic fibre on a woven backing that was used for halloween costumes and such.  Or you had clothing fabrics, or felt.   Computer assisted embroidery machines were not a thing.  Stuff like eyes and symbols had to be done with piece-work or hand embroidery most of the time unless you had a fancy machine that could do satin stitching. 
Title: Re: What's the BIG deal? Biggest G1 Plush (Fan OR Official) Why not?
Post by: Loa on July 08, 2018, 03:38:43 PM
We all know that bigger is better!

Maybe the prominence with Build a Bear plushies has made people want big?
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