Hi! I'm still a newbie but I've got a question.
I'm building a foam puppet right now and I just sculpted a pretty neat nose out of foam.  But when it came time to cover it with fabic (I'm using fleece) I'm lost.  I just can't wrap my head around how I'm going to cover it so maybe if one of you guys could help me out, that would be great.

What type of shape is it?  Is it an oval/sphere like shape?  If not then give us an idea what shape it is, we can go from there.

Thanks
Daryl H

um, my camera doesn't seem to want to work right now, (it's a little old) so I'm going to improvise...
   here's the shape of the nose with computer symbols... does that help?
          __
         [   ]
         [   ]
       (____)
         

You're going to have to use a technique called draping.

I would recommend making a pattern which you will use to cut out your fleece.

First draw a line down the center of your nose.  This will be a reference line for the patterning process.

For the pattern take a piece of fabric (if you have an old t-shirt that would work great.  It has similar stretch to the fleece.  Lay the pattern fabric over the one half of the object you are going to cover, in this case your nose.

Now begin stretching and pinning the fabric in place.  Don't cut anything yet.  Try to stretch the fabric flat.  In those areas where this is not possible pull the excess fabric to one place and pin it in place creating tucks.  The idea is to have as few tucks as possible.

Once you are satisfied that you have the best layout you can get.  Remove the excess fabric from along the center reference line.  Then carefully cut away the excess from the tucks.  When your done with this you should have a single piece of fabric pinned to one half of your nose.  This fabric will lie flat if you have done your work correctly.

Take the fabric off your nose and you have a pattern for one half of your nose.  If you are going to hand sew it in place you don't need to add seam allowances when you cut it out.  But if you plan to machine sew it you should leave at least 1/4 inch extra for seam allowance.

ProjectPuppet.com has a good tutorial on draping with pictures if you follow the following link.  http://www.projectpuppet.com/Page.bok?template=puppet-facial-features-tutorial#9

Good luck

thanks! I used your technique and it looks perfect!

  Glad I could help