I've started a new project building a lemming (from a very funny German comic series). However, I'm not quite sure how to proceed. I've got the head and body foam parts done but now I'm kind of hesitant because I don't have a pattern for my custom head and body fleece. Since this is the first time that I'm not using a project puppet pattern it is kind of hard to understand how to do that.

Here is a picture of the head. I used the Roly pattern for the head but I made it bigger.

 


Also, I think I need to put more foam on the back so that it's going to be a more rounded structure. Or do you think that it's not necessary?

Here's what I'm going for:


Thanks for your help!

I used the Roly pattern for the head but I made it bigger.

Why not enlarge the Roly fabric pattern.

Hop on over to Daryl's aka Stiqpuppets BlogTV channel. http://www.blogtv.com/people/StiqpuppetsLive He has a bunch of great videos on how to make puppets and one of them shows how you can cover your puppets head with the draping technique. I think it is somewhere in one of these on this page. http://www.blogtv.com/StiqpuppetsLive/Videos/viewAll/p/2/0

Hehe, I know.  But I kinda eyeballed it with the Roly pattern and it's not really exact. Plus, I don't really want to buy sprayglue at the moment because I want to try my sewing skills . Thanks for the Stiqpuppet link. I already watched all of his videos .

I found those Christmas ornament balls at Michael's. Apparently they're discontinued so they got them from the back for me. They are the exact size I need, so: Yay. Now I just have to paint them...

The technique should be the same even if you don't use spray glue. You lay the fabric over the front of the face to the back and then start taking darts in the fabric.  Since it is foam underneath you can stick pins in to kind of hold the fabric on the face. Try it with an old t-shirt first.  I really wish I could describe this better. Maybe these videos will help. This is a bodice on a dress form so don't let it's complexity scare you. These are the basics though of how you take tucks and form the fabric to the shape you want.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?Ayd15gpcNT8" target="youtube">YouTube Video</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?Rq3jt8q-ECE" target="youtube">YouTube Video</a>

I decided I'm going to go ahead and try it the way Daryl does it in the videos but without the spraymount. Do you think I need to add some more foam to the back of the head to make it rounder or should that do it?

It might not hurt to have the foam on the back of the head. You could probably use the same pattern as you used for the top as a basis. I think maybe from the bottom (would be the top once you flip it) of the curved dart back around.  I don't think you need any foam on the lower jaw.

So, I added a back of the head and a chin and this is what it looks like right now. The stitching is not really perfect, but I didn't have a pattern...



Now, I have to attach the eyeballs and the nose to the head. The nose isn't a problem, since it comes with a post. However, I'm kinda stumped on how to attach the Christmas ornament half dome on the head. On my first puppet I just glued foam inside the spoon and then glue that on the head. I'm not sure that is the best method though. I might go looking for some doll joints and just glue those in there but I don't know if they're long enough ...

Not sure if this would work, but you can buy the hardware that you use for toilet seats. Those long plastic screws with a plastic nut.

Sounds like a good idea. I already bought some doll joints though. I have to fill them with some foam though because they won't reach the head any other way.

He is looking fabulous Fabe! Looks like you've found your niche in puppet building if he's only your second!

Looking pretty good. Don't worry your stitching well get cleaner the more you do and I think it is not bad for your second try. Remember you can use a pin an to pick out the nape of the fabric at the seam and it helps to make it disappear.

And once you get rolling and get to working with Antron you'll really be able to hide those seams well!

Arms are still missing, but I'm pretty happy with the outcome...




Better pics will follow soon.

Oh man, that's so cool!!!

Okay, here we go. Everything is done. The only thing I still want to do is put a ring on the bottom so I can slip my hand in and out easier. But that's not a pressing matter.



He turned out quite well, considering I almost gave up. I got really frustrated after a while because the seams did not end up the way they were supposed to etc. But, after putting on the neck and glueing down the body, I got more and more excited because it actually looked the way I imagined it. Next time, the seams will be better .