Ahh... I get it. You are always going to have the issue of the foam grabbing the fabric even with Antron fleece.  If you used a slick material like lycra then it would not be as bad.

I regards to stretch, most fabrics have a one way stretch. If this is so with yours then you want that stretch to go across the fingers.  This would make it a bit easier.

Your idea of stitching them directly on to the hand works also.  I've done the same thing on puppets where I wanted a tight clean fit.  It just takes more time and patients normally.

What I have found to work well is to scan the pattern for the foam hands and arms and enlarge by 3%. Draw the pattern on a doubled piece of fabric, with the stretch going across the hands. Do not cut out the fabric, sew on the line, when you get to the l_l  between the fingers backstitch across the bottom,->,<-,-> go forward again and continue up the next finger. Repeat between each finger. This reinforces the stress points between the fingers, where you may break stitches during use. Once you have the entire hand and arm sewn turn over and cut out from the unmarked side. You will be able to see your stitching better from this side. You can then stuff the arms using your favorite method. I personally do a lot of pose-able hands so sew my hands separate from the arms and attach at the wrist after I have my foam in the hands. I use a small pair of needle nose pliers to put the foam into the hands as I turn them right side out. It takes some work to get it done, but it is well worth the effort.

Sue

Wow, Sue, I wish I'd read that 6 months ago! great!

  thanks for the info

Ok, thanks Shawn.
Sue, this is really good information. I'll bear it in mind with my next project.

Camille is almost done, just her hands to finish, I think I've been putting this off. 

It is so much fun for me to read all about how all of you MAKE the puppets! I am NOT a puppet maker but seeing how all of you do it I am even more thankful to have so many of you out there for me to be able to purchase puppets from!  Maybe I will get motivated to try something more complicated than the glorified sock puppet but in the mean time THANKS for all of you posting the pictures!! You are all WONDERFUL!!

Well I hope you do, it's soo much fun! 

Well, meet the completed Camille, age 27 going on 50, occupation: motivational speaker, lol. I love her, and had a blast making these first two puppets. Can't wait to get started on my next project. I also have a ton of questions that have arisen since making her.

Kinda weird the way I covered her hands, not a stitch in sight, I'm learning as I go I think.

Thanks for sharing the completed project! I can see why you love her!!

She is quite a stylish girl. I wish that I could make clothes for my puppets. Thanks for sharing, I have enjoyed watching you build these projects.

Billy d.