Puppet Prep
- Nov 23, 2016
- 2 min read
Materials:
Some sort of fabric of any color you want (I used an old pair of slacks. That way, I didn’t have to hem the bottom)
Scissors
Chalk/white pencil/sewing pencil
Needle and thread/sewing machine
Craft glue/hot glue
Velcro dots
When I started teaching this last semester, I decided to try to make a puppet “friend” every week for each different letter of the alphabet. I really liked the idea, but kind of quaked at the idea of all the work it would take. Then I had the idea of making a blank puppet and just making the face out of felt or something. That way, I could just Velcro the face on and change it out whenever I wanted to. After the first couple faces, I got better at it, and now it only takes me about 10 minutes or so to make the face. I’ve tried it out of felt and craft foam, and both worked pretty well. They both came out looking cute, but I definitely prefer the felt just because it is softer and bends better with the puppet. Feel free to try other mediums and ways, you might find something better!
For this post, I’m going to give you instructions on how to make the puppet base. I’m hoping to post a pattern for a different puppet each week. I might only do one every other week, but I’ll try to keep it consistent.
1. Start by doubling over your material. You can do either right sides together or wrong sides together. Make sure the doubled area is big enough to fit your hand.
2. Using the chalk or pencil, trace your hand around the pinky, middle three fingers, and thumb. Make the part around the middle three fingers a bit more round, if desired. Make sure not to trace too tight, so that you will have room to fit your hand inside.
3. Using the scissors, cut outside the line. You want to leave about a quarter inch outside the line to give you room to sew it together.
4. Put your pieces right sides together. Using the needle and thread or sewing machine, sew around the outside, leaving the bottom wrist part open. When finished, turn it right side out.
5. Check to make sure it fits your hand.
Zipporah had to check, too. :)
6. Using the craft glue or hot glue, secure the Velcro dots in place on whichever side you want the face. I used two in order to secure the face better, but it’s up to you however many you want. I also put the rough side of the Velcro on the base and put the soft on the face.
Now you puppet base is ready! The faces are not usually too complicated. Keep your eyes open for face patterns to follow! Remember to take this and run with it.
Plant the seed, and get creative!
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