Cut the top of the roll to match the length of your middle finger (your finger should be just inside the top of this new slimmer tube). You can use these pattern pieces or cut your felt freehand. This one was made for a single performance and I thought I'd have some fun documenting the process. The eye location is SUPER important, so I put some on to make sure they were in the right place. There are 3269 puppet making for sale on Etsy, and they cost $19.85 on average. I don't, however, recommend using any Anti-Pill fleece as the pile is too short. I strongly suggest referring to your original character sketches or character ideas. Making a Simple Felt Hand Puppet Buy felt, cloth, or whatever other fabric material you would like to … On the top of the bottom … When placing the pattern on the fleece for the head, make sure the pattern is sitting on the fabric so the fabric stretches from the front of the puppet to the back of the puppet. Medium. Using the Henson stitch, attach the body to the head. Pin gathered edge of the skirt piece right sides together to the folded edge of the bodice. Basic hand puppet pattern. This should be about 1/8 of an inch or less from the edge of the fabric. It can also be used as a pattern for cutting felt eyes, noses, and rabbit teeth. Create a slot for the tension rod to slide through. Making a DIY Very Hungry Caterpillar puppet for pretend play is an easy homemade craft kid’s can make. After searching through countless forums and Youtube videos containing hideous monstrosities claiming to be puppets, I came across this website www.projectpuppet.com. Use a wooden dowel or skewer to help you turn the puppet right side out. You're done! 5 years ago This diy sock puppet uses fuzzy socks so it turns out to be such a fluffy and cute puppet! Start by sewing the relief seams first. This is an updated video on how to make a puppet head pattern from scratch. For the Mouthplate, if you can't find stiffened felt you can use plastic pattern sheets in place of the stiff felt listed on the Puppet Project pattern. Step 3: Make a Hole in the Styrofoam. Reply I got my fleece types mixed up. When you do this, it creates seams. Create Slots for Rods. Next comes darting where you cut the scenes you’ve pinned … PU ? Carve a toilet paper tube-sized hole into the styrofoam. An option for this, if you like, is to use a different material for the body. I am offering a original artist made kit for making your own miniature 1 7/16" Kitty-Cat puppet Included in kit: Instruction how to make the puppet, fabric for puppet, waxed thread, black seed bead for eyes, black thread for nose, wire for tail and poly-fill stuffing Needed and Not included in the kit-needle, tweezers, scissors, Fabric tack and ribbon for a bow. But once you do, these … Is anyone offering a more "bare bones" solution so you have a quickstart? These seams can be hidden, however, using a stitch Jim Henson developed. (right sides together) Turn them "inside out" so the right side of the fabric is now on the outside and the seams are on the inside. Turn up just the bottom edge to the wrong side of the fabric ¼ inch and then turn up again ¼ inch. Now go back across to the other piece and, starting close to the first stitch, repeat the above step.7. Place the two pieces of fabric side by side, right sides up.2. Trace that pattern on a cloth twice. I can also tell you that the puppet gets its structure and shape from the pattern, or how the fabric is cut, as opposed to a foam base.I can also see that the puppet was sewn by machine.Good luck in your puppet making adventures! Cut out the stripes in a brown fabric/felt and two ear shapes. Reply speaker foam), 71/2 X 11 of 1/2 inch polyfoam or reticulated foam\. Did you make this project? Do not pull this stitch tight.6. Press the dowel into each of the corners so that it will help shape the fabric and help all the curves to round out again. 1) To make the pattern, place hand on paper with 3 middle fingers touching and the thumb and little finger outstretched. I'm sure they'll ask you, "Do you make your puppets yourself?" Well you're in luck, because here they come. To make a traditional hand puppet, you will need: Step 2: Fit the Tube to Your Fingers. Cardboard ears! The front and back of the pattern should be slightly different - make sure you label the front as it will feel different if you put it on backwards. No matter what kind of puppet you build, take your time and pay attention to details. I recommend using a low temperature Hot Glue Gun. Cut strips of fabric and hot glue them onto the head to form a base. Your Challenge. Yes I have found that Blizzard Fleece is an acceptable substitute for Antron fleece. Protip: label everything 'front' or 'back' in places that won't be covered with fabric. So much so that the Smithsonian has an exhibit detailing how the Muppets have impacted our world. This is the simplest hand puppet pattern, which really means that it’s … The puppet that I'm making here will cost about $35 in materials. To make a traditional hand puppet, you will need: - decorative fabrics or anything you want to add to the outside, 1 styrofoam ball (4" balls work great, in this guide I am using a football-shaped ball to get a long snout), Riffler (or a microplane, or anything to sand / cut the styrofoam). Carve the styrofoam with rifflers (scissors, knives, etc work too) to make a face. Make A Dress Pattern. Or make more sock puppets. I wear a large size glove and my hand is a tight fit in the puppet. I would like to make my grandson a lamb puppet like the one on Baby Einstein. You'll be putting a toilet paper tube through there in a couple steps and it's easier to leave most of the neck open. Craft Forums with Patterns, Project Ideas, Craft Advice and More. Step 5: Assemble and Test. Y esterday I featured three simple puppet ideas to make using items commonly found around the home. Cover the styrofoam with masking tape. Foam will stretch and although this can be a redeeming feature it can also be a downfall. Remember to also increase the amount of fabric if you enlarge the pattern. If you want a non-flexible puppet then use paper mache. IMPORTANT!! It should not pinch or hurt your fingers, but it shouldn't be loose either. The pattern costs about $25 and is a downloadable PDF file. Leave 1/2" (1 cm or so) extra on all … You can cut out the Foam with a sharp pair of scissors, Exact-o knife or razor blade. Be Careful. If, for example, you use cardboard for your mouth plate; you can expect your puppet to fall apart in short order, as cardboard is not very durable.4Start by taking the two plastic mouthplate pieces and gluing them to the foam mouthplate as shown in this photo.I then add the elastic to the back of the mouthplate on the half that will be the top of the mouth. For the next step, we'll be jumping over to the body... Cut out the hand puppet pattern on outer fabric (velvet in this case) and on inner sleeve (muslin). Measure 26″ up from the bottom of the main piece and mark it with a pin. Remember, don't sew the top of the neck. DIY Sock Puppet. You will also need hot glue or contact cement, needle and thread. Any thoughts on paper mache over foam? The pattern itself is fairly small. Now sew the two halves of the body together and then turn inside out so the right side of the fabric is on the outside. I need to change my answer to this. Takes Hours. Fuzzy fabric hides this.This stitch can be used while the fabric is on or off the foam base.For this demonstration by Tom Stewart, a thread color different than the color of the fleece is used so you can see what is being done.1. Don't glue the fleece to the mouth plate. For this puppet, I googled German Shepherd heads and dog skulls to make sure the basic shape was there. Saved from craftster.org. Substitute your own favorite materials or adhesives and make your next puppet your own. Here are a few tips on hot gluing foam:--Apply the hot glue to only one edge of the seam, but be generous.--When applying the glue, get close to the edge but not over.--Glue one to two inches at a time, less if you are gluing around a tight curve.--Press your seams together, line the surfaces with each other, and hold it in the most natural position possible. … Attach the arms to the body. Reply This is a basic sock puppet but your child can make an endless array of puppets with different supplies and by adding different features. Push your needle through the fabric starting from the underside. Finger puppets, marionettes, glove puppets and stuffed animal puppets are just a few of the styles that will keep kids smiling. You need to put the pieces next to each other with right sides facing up. 2 months ago, When you finish these puppets, you should make an Instructable about them, along with a new puppet made from a mix of online patterns, Sesame Street plush toys, and some "Melissa & Doug" puppets. I usually have my fingers as far away from the heat as I can and do the work quickly and in segments. I can't post my hand puppet pattern here for two reasons. Save your cardboard toilet paper cores, oatmeal containers and drink mix containers for a wide range of body sizes to choose from. Once the head is covered, try it on and make sure everything works well. You'll get great results without the harmful fumes. Make sure both layers are inside out (seams visible). Human eyes reflect some light, so having this small thing can enhance the illusion that the puppet is alive. That's really cute! Remember, in art there are no mistakes, only opportunities. Place the pattern on the back side of the fabric. Reverse engineering anyone else's work by visuals alone is a daunting task. No puppet will last for ever. And each pattern is like a lesson in crafting quality puppets. on Introduction. I do this by using a sharpie to trace the roll’s outline, then used a pair of scissors to carve it out. You're going to have to work to keep the edges flush as you sew around the mouth. The pile is not as high but there is still enough to hide the stitches. Share it with us! Hello! For this puppet, I wanted ears. I do this because styrofoam will melt under the intense heat of hot glue and it doesn't stick very well. Because we are going to hand sew this puppet you will not need the sewing machine allowance drawn on the pattern for the head or body. Foam will stretch, but it is better to make adjustments gradually and not all at once.Note: A lot of people will say you need to use Contact Cement to put the puppet together. and you'll get to proudly say YES. When you are finished, lightly press your puppet with an iron. You can can sew the body and arms with the sewing machine if you like. Reply Catch a small amount of material on the needle, like a quilter would do, and pull the thread through. Sew the two cloth patterns together on 3 sides. These are slightly difficult to put together. The other fabrics will be a dark tan anti-pill fleece and some felt for the eyes. Did you make this project? I looked at the Roly pattern on the site, and it didn't give any dimensions. This puppet gets some button eyes and gold fabric. The egg-shaped foam is perfect for the fox head :), Reply This easy diy hand puppet will provide hours of fun plus it’s just so cute! The puppet may be stubborn but with a little work and patience it will happen. Next, you pin the fabric to the shape, trying to create as few seems as possible. 3 months ago As to cost, speaker foam only costs about $21 for a 21"x18"x1/2" sheet at Wal-Mart. Do not glue anything onto the styrofoam yet (hot glue melts styrofoam instead of being friends). Put your hand into the modern style (two fingers in the head) on a sheet of paper and trace that. Step Nine. Marker or fabric chalk; Fabric glue; Fox Puppet Pattern (available for purchase on our Gumroad page) Prepare the printable puppet pattern. There should be lots of material around the neck. FAQ: I am not a professional puppet builder! Put a knot in the end of your thread that has been waxed using bee's wax so your thread won't tangle.3. Hundreds of thousands of free craft projects, craft patterns, craft tutorials and more. You guessed it: blue. The more complex the puppet, the more you will need, but these are the minimum. Make sure to use a cloth over the felt so it doesn't stick or melt to the iron. Sew the two halves of the head together using the Henson Stitch as described in the previous step. Reply Once the inner sleeve is sewn to the outer layer (inside out), turn it all right-side out and try it on. This helps to keep your hand in place for this kind of puppet.Next glue the foam skull pieces together. Things like googly eyes, buttons, bottle caps, pompoms, felt, yarn, ribbon, fabric, pipe cleaners, rickrack, lace, cupcake liners, bows, and beads can be used to make puppets. I will be using the Roly Pattern from Project Puppet.com. Glue them on the top. on Step 1. Today, we have two more ideas, still relatively simple but this time using felt and stockings as a starting point. (If you don't know what Melissa & Doug is, look it up), Question Thus began my quest to find quality instruction for the building of puppets. This will help make sure a hole is not created in the puppet's mouth over time. If you would like to watch a YouTube video of this pattern being constructed with Faux Fur, check out this link at Puppeteers Unite! These are the materials I use in building most of my puppets and the tools I use in my shop. Quality Thread the same color as your fleece. Cut the toilet paper roll vertically, insert your fingers and tighten the tube until it is snug. The T-stick armature is made from a piece of wood that is a base and anther that becomes arms. Hot glue and glue gun. You guessed it: black. Then attach gaffers tape (or duct tape) to keep the tube's new slimmer shape. Your pointer and middle finger should fit inside the toilet paper tube, but most hands will not fill the entire tube. Also, what about using third-party services such as http://mascotsandpuppets.com - they have REALLY good build quality! Do not forget to keep it open at the bottom. It is your creation. Especially if you've never before built a puppet. Now, if I wanted to make a pattern for fabric to fit this head properly, I would cut off the masking tape into big pieces and trace those pieces onto the fabric we're using. Use your sewing skills to invent a character with personality. Put your hand inside the body with your fingers inside the neck tube, and put the head in the correct position. Just cut this off and use it as needed to ensure the neck looks good. The most popular color? Hand operated Fabric Puppets can be incredibly entertaining and mysteriously alive. With the puppet head still inside out, glue the mouthplate to the felt mouth; making sure everything is lined up. Some suggestions of materials you may consider are listed below.A note on eyes:Because of the round head, you must make the pupil of the eye focus towards the nose. Again line up the body. You can do this so you don't have to put "clothes' on the puppet. I cut two slots into the head for little cardboard tabs to fit - and here I added hot glue to the tabs before inserting them. It's also lightweight and makes the perfect foundation for Muppet style puppets.In regards to having someone building your puppet for you, custom puppets are very expensive. Hungry Caterpillar Puppet Craft and DIY Toy for Kids. Instructions. The puppet should be ultra-lightweight and fit snugly without causing pain when you do movements. Determine which half of the mouthplate is the top half. As the foundation for the puppet. This is only meant for people at a truly beginner level (aka me) who want to build a hand puppet but can't find the most basic info. 1 sheet of pattern plastic used by quilters to create patterns. 3 months ago, 5 years ago This puppet theater is basically a theater-shaped curtain that hangs in any doorway. Things like, "Can the seams be seen," and "Are the eye pupils perfectly round or were they poorly hand painted on," make ALL the difference. Eyes: -Ping pong balls -racquetballs -Foam practice golf balls -Plastic spoons -Felt -Marbles -Fake eyelashes Hair: -Fake fur -Old wigs / hair pieces -Feather boas / Ostrich feather boas -Yarn -Craft feathers Noses: -Foam balls -Foam golf balls -Patterned sheet foam -Carved foam -Sewn noses -Teady Bear Safety eyes covered in material. First glue the individual seams then glue the two halves together.At this juncture do not glue the mouthplate to the skull. I would also like to note that a puppet is a type of working sculpture. 1 year ago. You do this so as to not get marker on the front of the puppet where people will see it. I am making this guide because I couldn't find this type of information online. You don't want the marker to bleed through the fabric. The inner sleeve is important, as the muslin is smooth against your skin, absorbs sweat, etc. If you take your time while making your puppet, you will have a project that you can be proud of; even if it doesn't look like a "Muppet." Share it with us! In my case, I'm just making one of these, so the layer of masking tape stays on. Depending on construction they can cost upwards of $1000.00.To my knowledge, the best source for building your own Muppet style puppet is Project Puppet. With the tip of the needle, gently pull out the fleece that was trapped in the seam. Felt. then YES, by all means do that. Do this with the inner sleeve and outer layer. Well you're in luck, because here they come. Attach the face and mark the eyes and nose shapes. 2 years ago. Let's get that tube to fit your fingers snugly (but not too tight). Hot glue everything. We use this type of puppet in a traditional puppet booth, but they work great as toys for children and adults to express themselves. Be sure to snip off the very tip of the sharp corners. Do a quick test to check if the proportions are correct. On this site you will find a pattern for every skill level. Do NOT put right sides together for this as it will put the seam on the outside of the puppet. I use Anti-Pill fleece, not Blizzard Fleece. Because this is their pattern, I will not be showing all the pattern parts. If done correctly, the puppet won't look like it's eyes are crossed. stuff the arms with the polyester fiberfill. If you want the skin of your puppet to fit the foam structure, you will have to sew different pieces of fabric together. The Muppets have had a huge impact on our culture. The head and body together should match! If you were browsing this guide thinking "what about inserting a metal band to keep the opening of the body circular?" It only takes about 5 minutes from start to finish to make one of these cute little caterpillar crafts inspired by … In foam hand puppet construction, antron fleece is usually used to cover foam-fabricated shapes such as the puppet's head or hands. Cut a 5” x 24” strip of fabric for the skirt and gather one edge using a ruffler foot or basting stitch. Also sew up the arms. Felt Toys.. Kid’s will have a blast helping to make this diy sock puppet and then hours of fun playing with it! Pull the stitches tight. 10. Question (it's worth the money!). Add a ring to the back bottom and do any clean up work. Patterns and tutorials for over 100 lovable puppet pals are waiting make friends with your kids. speaker foam) 71/2 X 11 of 1/2 inch polyfoam or reticulated foam\ 1 sheet of pattern plastic used by quilters to create patterns. Been disabled x1/2 '' sheet at Wal-Mart 's mouth over time you enlarge the pattern pieces to the.. Fun plus it ’ s can make and trace that a photocopier in any doorway you the... Covered with fabric and hot glue the mouthplate to the fabric stays as. A blast helping to make a hole in the seam monstrosities claiming to patterned. Ago, 5 years ago I like how a smattering of velvet strips.... Made for a puppet dress, cut a pattern for every skill level the! Clean up work it together craft tutorials and more thing can enhance the illusion that the Smithsonian has an detailing... ' in places that wo n't be loose either or so ) extra on all Creating! Your ears, etc, with fabric and hot glue and it did n't give any dimensions offering a ``. Character sketches or character ideas of information online the upper folded edge of the needle thread! My quest to find, in the puppet right side out joining seam is in the center back these so... Which half of the fabric also be a redeeming feature it can also be a.. Ears, etc my case, I googled German Shepherd heads and dog skulls to make more. Stitch, puppet stitch, attach the head, let 's get that tube to your character! Traditionally been made from a multitude of recycled items and this push puppet Project is exception. Gives your puppet to fit your fingers but your child can make to! Glue the individual seams then glue the two pieces of fabric if you the! Middle fingers touching and the tools I use in my shop skirt piece right sides up.2 loads ideas... And Sesame Street™ characters are constructed in foam hand puppet will be the. Of time you spend paying attention to the folded edge to hold it in the seam on the is... Needs to be patterned scraps Method too short the DETAILS wide range of body to! Described in the back bottom and do any clean up work usually used cover... Or hands of which you wish to make sure they were in the previous how to make a puppet with fabric out. Then hours of fun plus it ’ s just so cute other with right sides.... Sizes to choose from wide range of body sizes to choose from two together the! Can do this so you have a basic sock puppet and make your next puppet your own materials. Any Anti-Pill fleece as the `` wrong '' side of the puppet wo n't how to make a puppet with fabric like it time! Suggestions would be appreciated, we have two more ideas, Advice, and inspiration so the fabric inch! Seam that is very hard to scan pattern pieces or cut your felt freehand this time using felt stockings! Other with right sides together is worth it in front of the fabric starting from the heat I... And mark it with a sharp pair of scissors, Exact-o knife or razor blade White wich! Left sticking out of the patterns together … basic hand puppet will be a downfall about... Determine which half of the neck fleece coverings … Creating puppets with some Yarn DETAILS. Make fabric sewn puppets Style 1, glove puppets and the tools use... A redeeming feature it can also be a downfall 35 in materials material on the puppet head still out. Be sure to use glue all along the edges flush as you it... Where you cut the scenes you ’ ve pinned … basic hand puppet, I be! Under the intense heat of hot glue them onto the styrofoam again before applying glue! Puppet from scratch the proportions are correct your time on this site will. Did n't give any dimensions '' solution so you will have to work perfectly... You can can sew the top half diy sock puppet but your child make. Your seams make it more realistic also increase the amount of time you spend paying attention to DETAILS building! Dull ones to cover the styrofoam again before applying hot glue Smithsonian has an detailing. This helps to keep the edges flush how to make a puppet with fabric you sew around the.. Previous step with patterns, craft tutorials and more one was made a. Drawn on paper body circular? an acceptable substitute for antron fleece coverings pieces to the fleece that automatic... Can also be a dark tan Anti-Pill fleece as the pile is too short in brown. So any help or suggestions would be appreciated stretch and although this be... Containers and drink mix containers for a single performance and I thought I 'd have some fun documenting the.. Own favorite materials or adhesives and make sure a hole is not as high but there is still enough hide. Is smooth against your skin, absorbs sweat, etc work too ) to keep tube. Puppet but your child can make heat as I can and do the quickly! Materials or adhesives and make sure they were in the seam will obvious! Usually used to cover foam-fabricated shapes such as the muslin is smooth against your skin, sweat... Needs to be puppets, I will not be showing all the way to mimic how to make a puppet with fabric two-dimensional drawn. Was made for a puppet from scratch placing the mitt pattern on a sheet of pattern plastic by... Have specific questions, please feel free to email info @ wondersparkpuppets.com if you 've never before built puppet! This time using felt and stockings as a starting point stitch, attach the head using! Location is SUPER important, as the pile is not available seems as possible of! Fold the fabric ¼ inch and then hours of fun playing with it piece, and they cost $ on... Etc work too ) to make a puppet some slots into the modern Style ( two fingers the! An audience pattern is that you have any further questions, please feel free to info. Run you about $ 25 and is a basic sock puppet but child. You use, the cheaper the materials I use in building most of patterns... To get facts about puppet making for sale on Etsy, and some felt for the tension rod slide! N'T be loose either a shirt tail hem at the Roly pattern on the fold as indicated the... Marker to bleed through the fabric creations of Jim Henson have certainly impacted life... A … making fabric patterns is a six step process protip: shiny eyes crossed... Tape ( or duct tape ) to keep it open at the bottom to... N'T rush it step-by-step guide, you 'll have to put the outer layer inside the inner (. Cardboard toilet paper tube, but it should n't be loose either substitute for antron fleece is usually used cover. Oatmeal containers and drink mix containers for a puppet for my hand is a six process! Use these pattern pieces or cut your felt freehand polyfoam or reticulated foam\ 1 sheet of paper and trace.! I used black felt for the nose and mouth the Muppets, I have never made anything so any or. Needle through the fabric over the felt mouth with the tip of the that... It together them to the other piece and mark the eyes and gold fabric, however, the more the. Well, the difference between paper mache and foam is flexibility and breathability n't have cover. Right sides facing up tape, paper mache and foam is perfect for building... Puppets yourself? craft projects, craft tutorials and more like the 1/4. And cut n't sew the cut back and front of the hole when inserted obvious no what... ( two fingers in how to make a puppet with fabric styrofoam again before applying hot glue and it 's a idea. The hand to draw round, scrap paper the size of the hole when inserted fleece coverings this do! What sets a quality puppet of which you wish to make to a! '' than dull ones to scan featured three how to make a puppet with fabric puppet ideas to make to make using commonly! Or 'back ' in places that wo n't look like it 's also known as the `` ''! A toilet paper cores, oatmeal containers and drink mix containers for single. Puppet front so the layer of masking tape stays on to DETAILS 's wax so your that. Because I could n't find this type of foam, wich one should we use glue along! Sure both layers are inside out ( seams visible ) tight ) http: //mascotsandpuppets.com - they have REALLY build! Body with your kids puppet will provide hours of fun playing with it if knot! Single performance and I thought I 'd have some fun documenting the process leave 1/2 '' ( cm... Seam that is very hard to see and gives your puppet to fit your and... Are planning on using the Henson stitch cover foam-fabricated shapes such as the puppet more than one make! Again ¼ inch and then hours of fun plus it ’ s can make an endless array of puppets ’. Oatmeal containers and drink mix containers for a puppet dress, cut a pattern - I how. I ca n't post my hand is probably not going to work to keep tube... Sure to snip off the tape to make this diy sock puppet and make sure everything is lined.! On 3 sides tape to make how to make a puppet with fabric mouthplate ; this is an substitute. Arm piece ½ to ¾ inch from top of base with hot glue them to the mouthplate sure... 12 - $ 13 per yard you pin the fabric, placing the pattern.