I'm currently working on some designs for a potential puppet commission. The puppet are going to be muppets, but the person doesn't need rods for arms, or needs legs. I've suggested to go with a half-body puppet, but he wants to take a look at some designs for full-bodies as well. I thought it would be good, if he goes with the full-bodied version, to design the puppets with detachable legs; so if he doesn't like the weight/look, he can remove them.

I'm just wondering how to do them - my idea is to get the skin material of the puppet, sew some legs and feet and stuff them with polyfil. I'd then sew up some socks/shoes and cover the legs/feet with them... and then attach the legs somehow. I'm thinking that the keychain joints suggested here http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php/topic,2900.15.html

might work...

I'd add some weight to the bottom of the feet, but it occurs to me that any type of keychain joint might mean that the legs won't naturally sit right, and will cause the legs to turn back-to-front.

Any thoughts? How do you guys do detachable legs?

Yes I would suggest for a human puppet to not use the key chain idea, it is used more for arms for easy dressing and storage if the rods are permanent.  You could use the key chain method with animals since some of them have there legs on the side of the body and not directly to the front as humans tend to be. 

I think we recently had a topic floating around on leg attachment and most people suggested Velcro as the best option.

I tried to do a search on the topic and only get your topic to come up, I am pretty sure that we just talked about it and people were posting pictures.  I hope I am not losing it?  I might be smelling to much foam lately.

Daryl H

Yes, I remember there was another thread too, but I did a search and couldn't find it.

Well, I'm doing a boy and a girl, so you're right, the keychains wouldn't be quite right. Velcro seems good - if I used real shoes on the feet (light children's sneakers), would the weight be too much for the velcro?

Yes there was a thread about detaching legs but I can't find it either!  Here's the picture I posted on it. Sneakers for a 6 month baby work great on the legs and aren't too heavy. Velcro stays attached great too. 

Helen

the recent thread was entitled full body puppets  here is a link to that thread.

http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php/topic,2939.0.html

You will find a couple of different ideas for detachable leg attachment on that thread.

Enjoy

Thanks everyone!!! I've decided to go with the velcro idea, and handmake some shoes so that they're very light.

All the designs have been done and sent to the person now, so it's just a matter of waiting to see if they want to go ahead with it. Fingers crossed!

I use heavy duty snaps because they are faster to attach then velcro and cheaper.  I purchase mine from www.tandyleather.com

Julie

All of this talk about detachable legs reminded me of a story I heard a few years back.
A puppeteer who worked in a hospital was trying to comfort a young child who was scared of getting a shot. She used a Gerbert puppet that had detachable legs on it. To show the child that there was nothing to be afraid of, she had the nurse give the gerbert puppet a shot in the leg (while the puppet was setting on her lap, I might add). Needless to say, the nurse went too far into the puppet and stabbed the puppeteer, who emediately let out a scream, jumped up off the chair and pulled the gerbert puppet in half. I think it is safe to say that the child didn't get a shot for at least another couple of years.

A good example of when you are trying to send a positive message and everything fails.   

That is one funny story you made me laugh out loud on this one.

Isn't this one of Murphy's law's?

Daryl H