Well we all learn alot from our first puppets, I know I sure did learn from mine. I am right now doing my third puppet already and I already know what I will do and not do on that one to make it even better. Good luck on your sewing and please, continue to keep us updated.

I have also used doll joints to attach noses and eyes. Depending on the size of the puppet and the ears, a doll joint could be used for ears. I'm crazy for doll joints.

For an ear I would cut some of the base to change it from a circle to more of a rectangle.  Maybe even heat and bend the rectangle to form the shape of the ear; sew it inside the ear and secure to the head.

I also use doll joints to attach the arms to the body; sewing them on doesn't allow as much flexibility, and it's easier to rip the stitches if you jerk or pull the arm too much.

Oh yeah, I remember that ASve Q  arms were flimsy the were rope ligaments or something and I think they were slowly getting replaced with Dolls joints! So not so sturdy there afterall!

ok so i think I'll try some doll joints.....

Daryl,
I could not find the "bushing" part in your detachable arms video.  I tried to go back and look at it in video but it won't let me see video again. I wanted a picture of it to show the hardware people or to look for it online.

OK I found your same video on U tube and it let me see it again.  The keychains I bought would not detach at first the button was stuck, but I put some sewing machine oil on it and it works now.

HI, I did not see this thread... I sew my puppet arms in  a hole in the shoulder. You can see how I usually do it, at 14:20 in this tutorial I did



This way machine sewing is strong. If in doubt, sew twice around the seam.I tend to stuff the hands, but  put in a roll of foam with a stitched elbow joint, in the arm. Some people sandwich the arm into the body cloths and sew across the lot which is quicker, but the  rather flat and floppy joint needs to be inside cloths (same with elbow joints done the same way). I tend to do that with ears . If I know what they are going to be like, and if they are to be permanent, It is quicker and  more durable to place them before sewing up the head seams and then sandwich them in, in one go, although they  have more propensity to being floppy. If I need to put them on later, or put some bigger ones over the aformentioned method (assuming it s humanoid) Lay the ear flat on the head , sew one edge by hand, then stand the ear up and go around the other side. This helps them stick out and  not flop around. For animal ears like a pig, the base of the ear can be sewn in a 'V' form, also sewn inside and out, to make it stand up.

I have been sewing my puppet arms into the seam, but as philip mentioned, it looks a bit flat. I had bought some doll arm joints from the craft store for my next puppet, but am intrigued by the snaps option, so I may try that next. I kind of like the idea of removable arms, as long as the snaps can handle the activity from using arm rods, and the arms dont pop off during use.

The key chain removable joints are the best joints to date to use the puppet...they actually used them for some Muppets...a bit more work and materials but the arms move smoothly up and down and removing the arms to dress them is just amazing. They are also sturdy...I use them for many of my regular puppets and never had a problem for over 3 years or more. But I might be bias on this...LOL.

StiqPuppets

Your opionion means a lot to me, your puppets are great.  I was noticing in your detachable arm videos how your elbow bends nicely but looks rounded on outside.  That looks so nice.  I assume the "joint" is only in the inside tube and the outside fabric is straight. I need to look for video of how you did that elbow too. I found a bushing that had a tiny hole on one end and I realized I can just use dremel to sand hole larger and it will be just right. 

I see people put the arm rod in different positions, the wrist, or palm of hand.  Do you make a "joint" at the wrist too so the hand can move more?  As a perfomer which arm rod position do you prefer for human type arms?