I've never stitched a mouthplate to the head, I always use hot glue and have no problem with leaking glue or unesthetic looking fleece.
To be honest, it's the first time I've heard of sewing mouthplate on the head --- could anybody please tell more about this technique?

Iza

I have hand sewn and machine stitched the fabric of the mouth to the puppet then glued it to the mouth board. I also glue my puppet mouth with hot glue. I suppose you could sew it in place providing the fabric you glue to the mouth board is thick enough to except a stitch with out going all the way Thur the mouth board itself.

Billy D.

Not many reason's to sew the fabric to the mouth plate......except if you want a very clean look and to add that little extra touch of professionalism to the puppet.....as well as when you cover the puppet with fabric that fray's you will need to sew it.  It is really hard to tuck under and glue the fabric to keep things clean......it is better that you sew when you have fraying material.

I have as of yet sewn a mouth plate for a professional puppet.....I have for when I use the small puppets with kids for durability and usually I use a foam mouth plate so I can sew through easily. 

As I always say there are no rules in making puppets just guide lines so go ahead and experiment you might discover something new that works for you......that is why I love making puppets, NO RULES.

Just my thoughts.......

Daryl H

Scuba Steve, you might want a copy of my pattern
I use foam (not foam core, but a thin sheet of foam), covered in felt. It's all glued together, and it can be sewn into a head. The mouth comes out pretty flexible too. I've never thought of laminating with contact though, it's an interesting idea.

I liked all your puppets  very colorful and cute...don't bother about the
reproduction part...you will soon start your own designs. I am sure this
experience will enhance your skill in making your own patterns.
 

Bhanu

Na, my first use of this particular method I used a flexible mouth, thinking it would be good for expressiveness. The particular stresses on the mouth from the fabric with this shape means it pulls the mouth out of shape. For this shape foam core is just what the doctor ordered, as Daryl said though, no rules! Flexible will be more suitable for other projects for sure! and as you say Bhanu I am learning a lot by trying to reproduce a definite design, until such time as my own design skills improve. I've done my own in the past but am trying to perfect a particular style in order to milk it for new techniques. What a learning curve it's been too! I love sharing what I've worked out too so I will get onto diagrams soon. Life is pretty hectic right now though!
Thanks for everyones feed back and encouragement, I hope to reward it soon with some easy to follow insights I've gained.
Scoob

Mmm, I see what you mean. I tend not to work with block foam as much, so I don't really have a good technique for it.

Na, this isn't a method for block foam either, have you seen the "expert village tutorial videos?"
So... I have a drawing of how I did it uploaded and a picture of the finished mouth on an unfinished puppet!

This is good information, so when following the Expert village video it is best to cut a curve rather than the straight ling suggested by the video. Is the dashed line the cut?

I guess its depend on the mouthplate.