Nothing replaces a sewing machine....those smart stitch machines are gimmicks for an emergency stitches only not sewing a puppet.

Glue guns can be used very successful with both foam and fleece.....I have made (for my workshops) a puppet from start to finish with not a stitch and they turn out very professional....I also know many puppet makers that use them as well with great success.  Like any tool you need to learn how to use it to it's full potential with practice......I am not saying it is always the best choice but in a snitch it works great, but you need to learn how to use it.

Daryl H

For me, it's a choice of burning my fingers, or poking them with a needle. I opt for the pokes. Actually, I use a sewing machine whenever possible, and hand stitch the rest of the time. I have a hard time using hot glue neatly. Then, too, I would be concerned about rigidness along the glue seams.

But as Daryl points out, some folks use them very well. Experiment on some scrap cloth, and see what you like.

I would suggest to use hot glue & hand stitch combination
depending on the area that needs to get proper fixing.

I use machine for puppet head, body  & costumes, then
hand stitching where the machine cannot be used in case
of hands, fingers etc. For fixing or joining thick portions of
foam glue gun does a good job...also for fixing eyes, nose etc.

It is sort of personal choice & you develop it through
your own experience.
 
Bhanu