well as some of you have seen i just jumped in to puppets with both feet and tried with arather unusual medium of making my puppets. i have used a bath towel so that i can learn on what is at hand. the pattern wasnt great as i cant draw to save my life so now i am looking to make a better more refined pattern or my next learning project in this medium. i was wating the paul louies( i think thats the one on you tube) and following that method. i have a few questions for you experienced puppet develpopers out there to help my in this process

1) for the head it looks like a cicrle pretty muc and thats what i tried and am thinking on trying again but how big a circle ?

2) if instead of a circle i use a egg like shape how will that effect the head of the puppet and will it be a dramaticly different look?

3) i am using poly fill to fill the head of the puppet since i am not sure where to get decent foam at a decent price. what wouldbe the easiest way of keeping the fill in place ?

4) if i get foam and decide to try it do i need to cut the foam a bit smaller them the pattern to account for the seems?

5) again if i get ahold of foam 2 questions a) what size am i looking for?  and b) what kind of glue to use on it?


wow thats alot more questions then i thought i had well any help wouldbe great thanks

well as some of you have seen i just jumped in to puppets with both feet and tried with arather unusual medium of making my puppets. i have used a bath towel so that i can learn on what is at hand. the pattern wasnt great as i cant draw to save my life so now i am looking to make a better more refined pattern or my next learning project in this medium. i was wating the paul louies( i think thats the one on you tube) and following that method. i have a few questions for you experienced puppet develpopers out there to help my in this process

1) for the head it looks like a cicrle pretty much and thats what I tried and am thinking on trying again but how big a circle ?
Answer: Just remember to add your darts at the top of the head.

2) if instead of a circle i use a egg like shape how will that effect the head of the puppet and will it be a dramaticly different look?
Answer: yes it will make a different puppet..again add the darts.

3) i am using poly fill to fill the head of the puppet since i am not sure where to get decent foam at a decent price. what wouldbe the easiest way of keeping the fill in place ?
Answer: If you use fiberfill you will have to secure it to the head with a piece of fabric or make a little pillow so to speak to fill it in ....you can find regular polyfoam at your local fabric store or Walmart. Since you are just practicing at this point I used the foam eggcrate toppers from the $$$ store when I first started in puppetry.

4) if i get foam and decide to try it do i need to cut the foam a bit smaller them the pattern to account for the seems?
Answer: yes the foam should be about a 1/2 " smaller depending on the fabric you are using. Remember you can always cut away from the foam if to big.

5) again if i get ahold of foam 2 questions a) what size am i looking for?  and b) what kind of glue to use on it?
Answer: You can use 1" or 1/2 inch regular upholstery polyfoam... as for glue it depends on you. If you can stand the smell use Delwood contact cement or 3M 74 or 3M 77. You can also use a glue in a tube that is sold at a auto parts shop. I believe it is used to glue uplhostery to seats.


wow thats alot more questions then i thought i had well any help wouldbe great thanks

Answer: No problem.... if you look at the top right corner of this page is a search box. Type in certain keywords to bring up post to related subject.. Like " egg pattern " which was discussed just yesterday.

Hope this helps........ the others can add to this.

Billy D.

ok now i am gonna sound like a complete noob for this but what is a "dart"? i got the blue boy pattern and have heard/read about darts but not exactly sure what they are. I am thinking its the kind of pizza slice piece that is cut out of the the back of the head piece on the blue boy pattern but am not exactly sure. if thats the case i am guessing that you sew that piece shut before attaching the 2 sides ? sorry for so many questions.

ok now i am gonna sound like a complete noob for this but what is a "dart"? i got the blue boy pattern and have heard/read about darts but not exactly sure what they are. I am thinking its the kind of pizza slice piece that is cut out of the the back of the head piece on the blue boy pattern but am not exactly sure. if thats the case i am guessing that you sew that piece shut before attaching the 2 sides ? sorry for so many questions.

You are correct. Post pictures when you finish. We love to see new work.

You could also use for glue is a glue gun.  They are pretty cheap and handy to have around a house for many other projects.  I think the others answered your questions pretty much.

Hope you post pictures........

Daryl H