With all do respect to everyone with patterns to be purchased. Lets not forget how it is when first starting out in puppetry. Some have the funds some don't. Some have the desire to search the internet and find what they are looking for while others really don't know where to start and they are the few that just don't want to take the time.

I agree with you. And again, I'm not denigrating free patterns. Just pointing out that there are many things that people don't think about... If people are willing to head to the link above, do. I cover many things discussed here. For instance, I note that spending the time and money (paying for internet) looking for a free pattern, which is most likely going to be modified or is lacking in clarity anyway, might actually end up costing you more than paying for a pattern. So you may hit upon a paid pattern, think "hmm, don't want to spend the money", and then waste half a day looking for a freebie - or even not finding anything appropriate at all and giving up, and never experiencing the fun and enjoyment of puppetry either.

That is why they come to Puppets and Stuff. I remember when I first began my quest to learn about puppets. There was not much on the internet about free puppet patterns except the blue boy pattern and two or three more. I joined P&S and began to search all type of things. While it took days, weeks, months, and even years to search for the information on the internet........ it was provided by someone else for free. I have since purchased many books, a large selection of puppet patterns and designed some by myself and by combining pattern parts from different other patterns which by the way is another way new patterns emerge. I do understand and it can be frustrating but as Puppets and Stuff members lets try to remember we are here to help.

And here again, I'm also not trying to denigrate or discourage the wealth of helpfulness that exists in the community. This is one of the things that draws me closer to puppetry every day. It's just that it frustrates me - last week I saw someone on Ehow had posted practically my entire tutorial on blacklight puppetry, minus all of the stuff that makes the tutorial useful (the patterns themselves for a start), and plagiarised my work. (I'm not talking 'inspiration' here, I'm talking about a badly reworded copy) I've reported the issue to Ehow, but still the article remains there and probably will continue to stay. Even with a tiny credit to me and my site, this person rewrote something I worked very hard on, still giving it away for free, and now people will assume that my work is copied from Ehow simply because Ehow is bigger and better known. More than that, if they see the Ehow version, they will think mine is a very crappy tutorial because they'll taint it with the same brush. My comments above about wasting time is even more pertinent, because the general public and hobbyists don't realise that most of the tutorials/patterns out there are also not offered by puppet makers, but knitters or homemakers and designed for kids, not performance (not that there's anything wrong with that, I'm just saying that people looking for a decent puppet tutorial for free are somewhat misled about the results that these freebies will get). The general public will not be aware of just how much money is stolen away from those of us who do indeed offer paid patterns. I've even found a copy of Project Puppet's pdf pattern on a pdf sharing website; potentially killing a lot of money for them and people like us. I don't even have any of PP's patterns, and am kind of in competition with them, but as a fellow puppet maker had to let them know that they had illegal copies floating around out there. And when a pattern is stolen, it is stolen indefinitely.

Just as replicas are an issue of stolen work, so it is with 'free' patterns.

I would like to mention that Na has a remarkable pattern as other members here at Puppets and Stuff do. While a free pattern will get you  jump started try and look for a professional type pattern that has been carefully planned out and designed for your convenience.
Na has many type patterns to be purchased at her website: http://www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au/ Check them out. Consider buying patterns just as books as a great investment. While " Free " can be a good thing " Purchased " can be even more rewarding.

Thank you for the plug

Actually, I'm planning some changes on how I offer this pattern, mainly in making it available in more bite-sized downloads, something like what Dr Puppet does.

Wao, We can gain a lot great information from you guys. You are the best!
As I begin in this field, I wanted to have something(Pattern) free as point of start(To see if would be worthy invest in the near future), and know that this puppet world will be for me(At least as a hobby as it is now). And it was great(More when you find people like you guys, that helped me a lot in this field. I won't named names because I will have to take the whole post for it. Still, most of them know whom I'm talking to)
Now, I will really recommend Na's pattern, its great. No only because of the pattern, but the instructions is really well explain it. (Thanks Na for that pattern)
And others great professional pattern I've trying that you guys know and that you posted again in this treat(Web link).

Well, I just want to say again; Thank you!

Thank you!

Wow. I bow in respect to you NA. I completely understand your points. I, as a puppeteer and puppetmaker, rely on you and the others for your patterns to create something that will capture the imagination of young and old alike. To all of you puppet makers out there who put your time and heart into your patterns, Thank you. To all those out there just starting, never forget that it takes so much to do what they do. Even a "free" pattern cost someone something. Just try to remember, a free pattern is nothing but a starter patten. If you want something that will awe others, there is no place like the mind of a professional, and that is what you pay for.

I offer a free pattern on my blog and get a lot of requests for it but I have to admit that the pattern is only for the foam head. No mouth assembly, no body, arms, or hands, and no fabric pattern. Anyone who uses the pattern has to come up with those for themselves. I offer it do that those who aren't able to see their way to buying a pattern can get a start.

I could give away more.  If it was just me I might. But I'm not willing to steal someone elses lunch so that I can feel good about my generosity. I intentionally limit my freebees to leave the market open for the professional patterns

to be honest there is a tremendous amount of good free instruction out there but Na is right, you end up paying in time what you could have paid in dollars if you had bought a pattern.

Hi everyone

I made the example puppet this saturday. It was really simple to make. Only high density foam, some clothes and imagination.

I'm a bit surprised about how this thread has grown since Friday. I didn't want to make anyone feel bad about my opinions. Please, remember that i was just in need of some information. I don't want to be a professional puppeteer.

Again, thx for all your info, kids are going to have lot of fun, and sorry if i offended anybody.

PS: i believe i will post pictures of kids' puppets in like 3 weeks.

Believe me Eskizo, this thread was needed. It gave us all a chance to say our minds and let others know exactly what can go into making a puppet pattern. I am so excited to see the puppets that come from those kids. Good luck and creative puppet making.

Not offenses at all, but beside a lot learned!

I do understand the frustration lived by Na. When I first came here, I had no experience nor knowledge on how to make a puppet. I wanted free free free. But what I learned here was even more valuable than a few free patterns. Yes, I did find a few free patterns here and there, but I mostly learned how to create my own and how to get my own ideas into usable ideas, how to be ressourcefull and creative in way's to solving my creative problems. And I think that it is way more important than free stuff. And I know I would have never succeeded without you guys. So a huge thanks to you all!!!