Making Puppets

A lot of how my final puppet turned out was improvised, by for getting things like templates and sewing tips, I consulted this video. Before watching this video, I knew that I wanted a Jim Henson-type puppet, but achieving that seemed a mystery; all the tutorials I'd watched prior were for either string puppets or complicated monstrosities that require levers and pullies.

First of all, I folded over the fleece to make my life easier and then pinned the fabric together to keep it on place. I then basically put my arm on top of the fleece in order to make sure the puppet would fit on my hand, and then drew on the outlines. Soon after, I cut around the shape, leaving space for seam allowance. No seam allowance was necessary for the mouth. I think.

After that, I began to sew the puppet together with a back stitch. I don't own a sewing machine or a glue gun, so this part was by hand. Fortunately, you media folk will not be grading my needle work. I think, Probably. Just, don't.

Cutting up the back of an old notepad cover, I then folded it in half and cut it into a semi circle with strong scissors. This part will be the puppet's mouth, and will therefore need to be sturdy for lip syncing. With that in mind, I covered it in sticky tape for extra support. Soon after, I used PVA glue to stick pink felt to the cardboard and waited for it to dry. When it was, I neatened up the felt by sewing it around the back of the cardboard mouth, stretching the material, making it tight.

A heart was then applied. This was made out of red felt, the and is the rough shape of a heart, drawn on by sharpie before simply being glue to the mouth.

As I am not in possession of a glue gun or a sewing machine, sewing the mouthpiece to the puppet body wasn't the easiest or neatest of job - but at the end of the day, this puppet is the star of a punk music video. I'm sure it's quite acceptable for him to have bad teeth/threads bare.

In order to bulk out the puppet head and make moving the character's jaw easier, I stuffed cotton balls into the bottom and pushed it up in certain places in order to flesh out the purple noodle man.

Then stuffing three cotton balls into a white cotton handkerchief I had lying around (I don't know why I have a handkerchief (I've hever used a handkerchief; I can only assume it has not been used) and sewed the corners tight. I repeated this again for the other eye and then sewed the eyes onto the top of the puppet's face.

The pupils are just buttons that have been sewn on. Now, the purple noodle sits in the corner of my bedroom and stares at me. I am beginning to regret the decision of including puppets.

Perhaps he needs arms...and clothes.

Food for thought.