How to Design Hand Puppets

Make do with household items, to design a unique puppet!

If you enjoy construction, gluing and sewing and take time and care with details, you can finish several puppets over a 2 weeks.

If you need a puppet stage, here's an easy pattern I made from cardboard! Great for Finger Puppets!
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Cardboard-Hand-Puppet-Stage/

If you're short on time and need a puppet quickly -
Watch renowned Puppeteer Barbara Dewey demonstrate
how to make a puppet from already made stuffed toy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz1mFLR-d7s

Check out ways you can use puppetry for educational purposes:
http://www.nostrings.org.uk/
http://www.youtube.com/user/nostringspuppets

Step 1 Choose head shape

I cut out small paper circles "thumbnail sculptures" then experimented with designing head shapes.

The more v-shaped slits you cut, you will come up with an egg head shape.

The fabric I used for the puppets here is EVA. Its a strong, soft, lightweight foam, similar to foam used in camping mats.
(I got a 4 metre piece for $6.)

It is sewn with polyester thread.

Comments

[stripedstarfish]

 wow! this ible is exactly what i need. i've spent time looking everywhere for this info - Thanks!!

[Scriptone]

You're welcome, it takes a bit of hand sewing though, but if you don't mind it its quite simple to do. (There's lots of make puppets tutes on YTube too to do with performance which are pretty good.)

[ravleen]

Those things are ccuuuuuuuuute!!!!!!!!!

[plane phanatic]

Awesome Job! The finished product looks amazing! 5/5 stars

[Scriptone]

Thanks so much! I'll add more details when I have time.