Ok, first, I apologize for the size of the images I'm linking to they are huge - no image editing program on this computer.

Now to the problem at hand.  You can tell I am using stretched out football shapes - i glue them together from edge to edge.

with 5 glued together it's at about half.

The major problem is that if I complete it - it's going to be watermelon shaped but what I'm looking for is more of like a basketball-type shape. 

I'm going to include some images:

Image #1:  1/2 view of the head so far - very watermelon-ness
http://griffingranberg.com/puppet/step1_head/IMG_5039.JPG

Image #2:  Angle to show you what I want - see the roundness
http://griffingranberg.com/puppet/step1_head/IMG_5040.JPG

Image #3:  Angle to show you the back of the head when it's in the roundness that I want
http://griffingranberg.com/puppet/step1_head/IMG_5041.JPG

Image #4:  Inside of the head in the watermelon shape
http://griffingranberg.com/puppet/step1_head/IMG_5042.JPG

So you can see what's going on.  I have thought about gluing in a piece of form that is short enough to hold the sides of the head narrower and making it round like I want BUT I would have to figure out how to fill in the back of the head and I don't know how to cut such a piece of foam to continue the roundness - i'm sure it's possible though.

What are your recommendations for getting this thing more round than watermelon shaped? 

Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks so much.  //g

Here is a picture of a simple round head pattern that I got from one of our members Andrews website Puppet Building.com which is down at the moment or under going a over haul.
In the diagram he gives you measurements to make your mouth plate and head. Hopes this helps.
( Thanks Andrew for sharing )

Billy D.

Welcome to Puppets and Stuff................... glad to help.

i was hoping to salvage what i have - or do you think it would be best to just start over.  and that image is so small (opposite of my problem heh) so I would just have to freehand the pattern on the foam?  //g

You could salvage your foam..................... I would just start over and save that watermelon shape for another puppet.
Here is some patterns from Johns website..another member here. look to the right under patterns.

http://bashfulpuppet.blogspot.com/2008/04/taylor-termite-foam-head.html

If you really want to salvage this project just email me and I can give you more directions. My email link is under my name. We can possible do a three piece head method............. well in this case we would cut the watermelon in half making one half the top of the head and the bottom with some alterations can become the chin. We would need some measurements to make the mouth plate. What are you planning to cover this project with?

Billy D.

I have added Andrews pattern to my pdf files in my user gallery.

Billy D.

I would start from scratch with the pattern that Billy is offering you.....sometimes it is nice to give it a new try and put the other aside for another puppet.  Few things go to waste they may need to wait there turn to be used.

All the best on getting the head shape you want and hope to see the end result. 

Daryl H

Hiya,
I'm not 100% sure but if you add more of the wedge shaped pieces would that help to make the shape more round. i think i read somewhere it takes 8 wedge shapes to make a ball shape. the wedges need to be 4 times as long as the width to make a round ball shape. the "building a red panda" videos on youtube from Thistledown puppets help show this method a bit.
anyway hope this helps

Spam 

I agree with the others, that it's probably more efficient and less time consuming if you were to use one of the free patterns they have offered and make a fresh start.

You can always use this foam head to make a different puppet, as it would still make a great character. However, if you INSIST  on using this pattern instead of starting over then by the looks of it.... (and this would just be my own guess at attempting what your doing)..... I would sharpen the points of each end of the "pie pieces" making them thinner and bringing them in tighter when glued. This is my best guess at why you might have a melon shape.

-Michele