Hey guys i just had this crazy idea for mouths..... What if you wanted a puppet with a flexible mouth that was bigger than a sock puppet? I think that maybe if you use 1/2" foam instead of mouth boards, and use something loose like old t-shirt to protect the inner side of it, AND then make figertubes out of gasket rubber or whatever but keep the tubes seperate from eachother you could endup with alot of lip movement. You would also use felt in the mouth for a little more support. The point is that you could control each finger seperately to make the mouth give alot of unique movements and make alot of funny faces. what do you guys think? I was hopeing to try this on a very cartoony charachter if i got the chance; ill make a drawing or two of my concept just say the word 

Yeah, the idea sounds like it could possibly work. I've heard of several of those elements used in making a mouth plate, but don't think I've seen all of those combined.
Also, a work glove could be used instead of all the finger tubes. I know Creaturiste once made a puppet for some show that used a gloved attached in different places to give much more movement.
Good luck. I'd love to see how it works out.

If you are going to causally use the puppet then foam will work fine, but if it is going to be used often then the foam may start to become smashed and worn. You may find that foam will not be as durable as other mouth board solutions. Vinyl is a excellent solution for a durable flexible mouth board.

But for casual use foam will work.

Knowing me ill never have a puppet that will be casually used, theyre too much fun :P If you can direct me to the best place to buy vinyl or something of the sort. maybe ill use it as the mouths support but still back it up with the foam to help it keep shape. I really like the idea of a glove though! that offers alot of control. Ill say, hey! this puppet fits like a....well u know. This is not going to happen anytime soon but i always like to share my ideas in advance.

great idea. I'm working on some puppets I'm making, with foam mouth plate(First time), but not the technique you're saying. Would be good to have from you(now that you came from the idea) pics or much better video

it really sound good!

Keep posting about it!

Vinyl can be found at most fabric stores.   

Its difficult to get it for me in my area.  :'(

Vinyl can be found at most fabric stores.   

Matt is correct there is a fabric vinyl used in the fashion industry..... and a upholstery vinyl which is the one you would use in this case.

billy d.

I have a joanns up the street, ill check it out  oh and whats my best bet for fingertubes? metal? wood? im really hoping for a hard type of plastic but what does everyone else call what we would call fingertubes? its gonna be real wierd when i have to ask a guy at home depot about this.

I use 1/4" to 1/2" foam and 1/8 " headliner foam ( this is the stuff you see on the roof of the inside of your car )
I marry the two into one piece by spraying a upholstery adhesive on each piece and joining them together. This gives me one side with fabric and one side with foam. I then cut in three to four inch wide pieces. Glue the outsides together using contact cement, then join together until you form a long tube fabric to the inside of the tube. I make up long tubes so I can just cut off the pieces I need as I'm building a puppet and save the rest for future projects. I then attach the tubes pieces to the top and bottom of the mouth plate and cover with a piece of fabric and contact cement.
This gives it a finished look and the now fabric lined tubes are comfortable to the hand when the puppet is in use.

Billy D.