Question: If I sketch a puppet's head, how do I then generate a cut pattern for foam from my sketch? How do I figure out the two-dimensional pattern so that it has the correct shape when I assemble it?

It's driving me nuts! It feels like I should be able to figure it out using grade 10 math, but it always ends in disaster. I've looked high and low, but I cannot find anything anywhere on how to do this. What's the secret method? Or do I need four years at a fine arts college to learn this??

Thanks a million for any hints or tips!

J

Welcome to Puppets and Stuff..................................... Your question is quite simple but to some can be quite difficult. I still have problems with certain patterns.
I suggest you let us see your drawing and we can go from there. Most head patterns are made from basic shapes.................. and are cut from a flat piece of foam then glued together while others carve the head from a block of foam. Which ever way you choose you come out with similar results.
I'm interested to see your drawing. Others will be along shortly. Make yourself at home we are here to help.

Billy D.

Hey there CanuckAmok....from one Canadian to another.....eh!

I know many of us will be able to give you suggestions in this forum, but a picture does help us with suggesting the best method as Billy said above. 

Thanks for joining this great sight and hope that we can help you with the process of making your puppet......


Daryl H

Hi Canuck,

Welcome to the Puppets and Stuff Clubhouse. Youve come to the right place. A ton of helpful people here. Like Billy said, shapes are the secret. Let us see a drawing, like Billy said and then we could help you out.

Tip: Billy has some great items in his puppet store. http://www.freewebs.com/sspuppets

If there was only some affordable software, I'd be first in line, but whats out there for every Joe puppet maker is not what we want. There have been a few links in past threads with some downloadable demoish versions of pattern makers, but, alas, none to make us happy. ( LOL, I used the word "alas")

Have fun, stick around,
Sonny

Snapdragon Puppets used to have a couple brief, but very good tutorials on this. Their web site is now offline, but you can try searching snapdragonpuppets.com on the Internet Archive.

A video that would probably answer most of your questions is Sketch to Show: Patterning a Puppet. You can order it online for $45.

I've generally started with a pattern that already exists and modified that pattern so that it looks the way I want it to.  This process can take from and hour or two to a couple of days depending on how picky I am.

Once you get used to making head patterns you'll find the process easier.

And like Billy already said, we need a picture to give you any specific advice on where to actually start and the steps to take from there.

I agree with Andrew about Dave Privetts Dvd's. They are a good source to have. I have this Dvd " patterning a puppet " which gives you detailed instructions on how to create a pattern from a drawing. He has since did a follow up Dvd of how to cover the same puppet in the first Dvd. You may want them both.
http://playsoup.com/store/video.htm

Billy D.

I have both DVD's and they are great and well worth the price it you like the process of making a foam puppet from a drawing with pretty exact results. 

Daryl H

I just purchased a book on ebay with the hopes of learning how to design 3D patterns.  I have not received it yet. It is called "Design Your Own Stuffed Animals" by Ann Dyer" Here is the Intro from the book:

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

"This book offers the toymaker freedom from other people's patterns, and shows that the problems of working out three-dimensional plans are nothing like  as formidable as they might seem.  The general principles involved are clearly set out in the form of practical exercises in toy making; but instead of beginning with a pattern and ending with the complete toy, this book takes the process back to the original idea and shows first how the pattern is worked out.  It also explains how to correct or adjust patterns which do not work perfectly at the first attempt.  Twelve examples are given with patterns in the actual size and large photographs of the completed toys.  For the experienced toy maker, this book will open up a new range of possibilities, while the beginner can start by making up the patterns and at the same time understand the principles behind them".

There is another copy available on ebay.

Also The book I find VERY useful because it has a chapter on how to make any imaginable dart and dart combinations to creat 3D effects is:The Art of Manipulating Fabric by Colette Wolff.  I use this book whilw making my art quilts.

Hope this helps!

Thanks so much for the warm welcome!! And thanks for the advice so far.

I was hoping that I could get away without having to experiment, but that's my lazy side shining through. It would be great if I could skip the crawling and walking stages and go right to running. Alas (there's that word again), I suppose there are valuable lessons in simply messing around with foam, experimenting a little.

In the meantime, here are two pics of the puppet head I'm trying to build. I did a little mock-up in modelling clay for fun. I have no idea how to add photos to a forum post, so here's a link to a Picasa gallery:
http://picasaweb.google.com/snider.j.j/Puppets?feat=directlink

J