Hi,

I joined a couple of days ago and am currently trying to construct my first puppet.  I've loved puppets for many years now, so this is a lot of fun for me.

Foam seems to be widely used for puppets, but I'm not comfortable working with it (there's a reason the EU banned it, after all).  Are there any suggestions/thoughts on alternatives?  I bought a kind of thick cotton batting that seems pretty stiff, but it's been treated to be fire-retardant, so I'm not sure if it's really that much better than foam.  What did people use before foam became widely available?  Or were there no puppets before that time?

Thanks for any advice.  I love the site; it's already helped me so much!

EU banned it ? ......................where do you life in which country......

I agree with gompie, I don't think that Foam is banned in any country.  It is used in many products like bed mattresses, car seats, furniture cushions etc. 

Before foam was used for puppets they would have been made out of wood, paper mache' or simply fabric. If you want to make "Muppet" style puppets I am not sure you have any other alternatives to foam. You can get close useing paper mache' like I did on this puppets head, feet and hands. http://wildjokerdesign.com/puppetsandsuch/gallery/monster.html  It still used foam for the body though.

gompie: I don't know if EU banned it (I'm in the US), but I believe it's not allowed to be used as insulation and I think the use of it in general is regulated.  I heard about it on TV when they were talking about the EU economy and its regulation practices in comparison with America's.  It's been a few years since I last watched it, though...

Shawn Sorrell: Thanks for the link and the info.  I love the Muppet look, but the paper mache looks very promising.   
 

Just to clarify......

Foam is not insulation it is used for comfort on couches, matresses, benches, ect.......

I haven't ever heard of it being used as an insulator unless someone is miss using it.   

Daryl H

Hey Stiqman, foam is used for insulation, haven't you heard of Blown In Insulation??

Blown in insulation is usually made from paper.  As to foam being used for insulation the only foam I know of is rigid polystyrene insulation.  The foam we use in puppets is polyurethane foam used most commonly in the upholstery industry.

It could be that the foam the EU banned is the polystyrene foam because when it is disposed of it releases CFC's wheich are damaging to the Ozone layer.

My guess is that you can still find the Polyurethane foam.

That's my 2 cents worth

I'm eco friendly and I use the foam I just try and use all pieces ! So I dont have anything left to throw away . And I have never heard of such a ban and I live in the most eco friendly area ! Good luck with your search ! 

Yeah there has to be some sort of mix up with communication and defining which foam we use.  Best for you to pick up a few puppet books on construction before diving in.  It can be dangerous if you get the materials mixed up.  We definitely do not use insulator for making our puppets.  As mentioned, we use upholstery type of foam that comes in sheets.  You can pick these up at fabric stores or even in the sewing department at your local WalMart.  For first timers, I think it is wise to stick to the basics.....foam and glue gun.  I highly suggest picking up a kit like the ones offered on Puppet Project.  They explain everything very clearly.  I think it is great for you to be excited about learning this art but before you jump in, just be sure to research all your materials and costs carefully.

Good luck,
Nikole

For I know the foam isn't banned in the EU. We can buy it here (holland) on the local market. A lot of things have foam in it. So where does that come from ............................

Maybe all the stores who sell it are illegal.....................